Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ultra-gory horror anthology, as seen on lo-fi videotape.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
V/H/S/85
What's the Story?
In V/H/S/85, it's suggested that viewers are watching an old VHS tape that's been recorded over many times, with many different ads, programs, and films all smushed together. A wraparound story introduces a boy who's being studied at a university and seems to be changing into something. Next, seven young people go on a waterskiing trip at a remote lake, where they're attacked by an unseen sniper, with unnerving results. Then a TV crew and a rescue team fight to get through the rubble of a massive earthquake, coming upon a sinister altar. A performance artist launches her new piece about the dangers of technology, only to see things backfire. Finally, a police detective has been receiving tapes that depict brutal murders days before they actually occur. Returning to the boy, viewers see that he has emerged into a final form, and it's far more nightmarish than anyone could have anticipated.
Is It Any Good?
It doesn't have a real standout sequence, but this sixth entry in the found-footage anthology series is at least arguably more consistent, thanks to the fun hodgepodge of the single-tape motif. The previous entry, V/H/S/99, took place at the end of an era, a year when many people began switching from muddy videotape to more pristine DVDs. And so there's no real reason for V/H/S/85 to hop back in time again other than a quick cash-in. Nevertheless, this movie has drawn in some top-tier filmmakers, notably A-lister Scott Derrickson, who makes his series debut, and David Bruckner, whose Amateur Night was a standout of the original V/H/S.
Like the previous two entries, this one also invites women filmmakers -- Gigi Saul Guerrero of Bingo Hell and Natasha Kermani -- into what was initially a "boys' club." The results are largely focused more on gore and shock than on anything spooky or terrifying, though the two-parter by Mike P. Nelson -- which starts with the waterskiing story and continues with the story of an unsettling cult -- comes packed with creeping dread. (What is in that lake water?) Frankly, none of the movies in this series exactly reaches masterpiece status, but most, including this one, are good for fun, passing-the-time Halloween season viewing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about V/H/S/85's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes like to be scared?
What does the "TKNOGOD" sequence have to say about technology? Can it be helpful? Something to fear? Both? Why?
What's the appeal of filming everything? Does filming detract from actually experiencing things? Will anyone actually watch all the footage that exists in the world?
What does the "Total Copy" sequence have to say about the Frankenstein story and the cautionary tale of meddling too far in science and nature?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 6, 2023
- Cast : Freddy Rodriguez , James Ransone , Jordan Belfi
- Directors : Mike P. Nelson , Gigi Saul Guerrero , Natasha Kermani , Scott Derrickson , David Bruckner
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Latino Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Shudder
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 2, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate