VHS Beyond

For better or worse, the VHS Saga has consistently brought 1980s and 1990s nostalgia to the big screen, exploring themes of identity, memory, and the influence of technology on society in bold and often exaggerated ways.

The latest entry, VHS Beyond, released on October 4th on Shudder, is no exception. While it may not quite match the bar set by VHS 85 - one of my favourites - it still delivers. With five segments, each directed by a different filmmaker (Jordan Downey, Virat Pal, Justin Martinez, Christian e Justin Long, and Kate Siegel), the film effectively captures the anxieties and fixations of the present era.

Set in a dystopian future dominated by digital culture, VHS Beyond follows a group of individuals who stumble upon old VHS tapes, relics of a forgotten time and symbols of collective nostalgia. This rediscovery becomes an act of rebellion, challenging a system that has lost touch with the importance of memory.

The first short film, Stork, launches the series with a frenetic, visually striking energy. It evokes the intensity of top-tier video games, where every sound hints at danger, and violence escalates in an unrelenting crescendo. This leads to a final revelation that is both unsettling and impactful.

The following four chapters shift between strong, well-crafted scenes and weaker moments—especially the final episode, which regrettably falls short of delivering the visual and narrative punch needed for a satisfying conclusion.

What ties all the segments together is their shared exploration of confronting the past. The protagonists, through archival footage, reflect on their origins and the passage of time, contrasting with a fast-paced, distracted modern culture that overlooks the importance of genuine connections and introspection.

VHS Beyond explores the dehumanizing effects of digitization, contrasting the raw, grainy visuals of VHS distorted sounds, with the sanitized perfection of modern digital platforms. The film suggests that within the imperfections of older media lies an authenticity we risk losing in an increasingly homogenized, tech-driven culture. It critiques how digital life fosters isolation while celebrating the analogue as a source of real human connection.

The interactions between characters reveal the fragility of community in today’s world. Rediscovering VHS is not merely a nostalgic act but a way to reclaim deeper, more meaningful connections in a society driven by superficiality.

At its core, the film reflects on how the past continues to shape the present and future, creating a bridge between generations. And yet, it doesn’t shy away from delivering the raw elements expected in its genre - violence, blood, and plenty of gore.

VHS Beyond is a powerful meditation on social and technological shifts, told through evocative storytelling and compelling visuals. It challenges us to consider what it means to be human in an era of rapid advancement, positioning VHS as a symbol of resistance and hope - a reminder to cherish the stories that define us.