V/H/S/2 is the second entry in a new series of anthology horror films with the same concept. Essentially, there are people in the world not satisfied by the depravity of snuff tapes. They want something more. They collect and trade snuff films with real paranormal elements on VHS tapes. The V/H/S films are a series of these short tapes that always end the same way: total annihilation.
I just want to get the series' big flaw out of the way now: misogyny. These films are not kind to women. Degrading language, sexism, graphic violence, and sexual imagery define the perspective of these films. It's disgusting. To put it in perspective, the most positive portrayal of women in the films comes from a story about a religious cult that rapes children to purify them. That's...not even positive outside of the V/H/S context.
Frankly, I hated the first film because it played more like perverse frat boy fantasies than horror. V/H/S/2 at least has a little nuance in how some of the stories are told.
"Tape 49" is the framing device, written and directed by Simon Barrett. A pair of private investigators go after a missing college student and discover a collection of disturbing VHS tapes. Larry leaves girlfriend Ayesha to watch the tapes while he explores the house for clues. The tapes cause harm to Ayesha and Larry does nothing to help. The best thing I can say here is that "Tape 49" is a whole lot better than V/H/S' "Tape 56." I mean, at least these characters are likable, versus the literal band of thieves that kicked off the entire series.
"Phase 1 Clinical Trials" is a cool sci-fi/horror concept from director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett. A man who lost vision in one of his eyes receives an experimental digital implant that restores his vision. The brain doesn't know how to process to the digital imagery, so Herman is warned there will be glitches. Everything is recorded through his eye for the clinical trial, even the new visions of violent, bloody spirits following him around his house.
Another high tech implant receiver, Clarissa, helps Herman understand what's actually happening. Unfortunately, Clarissa's real role in the story is to take her clothes off and mount Herman as a battle move against the ghosts. It's a shame, too, as "Phase 1 Clinical Trials" really had some interesting things going for it.
"A Ride in the Park" is a random zombie short (are zombies paranormal now? I'm splitting hairs, of course) from directors Edúardo Sanchez and Gregg Hall, and writer Jamie Nash. Mike decides to gear up with all his GoPro equipment and go on a mountain bike ride. He accidentally gets turned into a zombie and films his encounters from his helmet.
I'll give Sanchez, Hall, and Nash credit for this one: I haven't seen a first person zombie horror from the perspective of the zombie before. The gore looks believable and the actual transformation sequence is pretty novel, too. It's a shame that Mike's reaction to being attacked by a female zombie is to call her a "bitch" before fighting back, as it sets the wrong tone for the rest of a pretty sharp horror short.
"Safe Haven" is the best short in any of the V/H/S films so far. Timo Tjanjanto and Gareth Huw Evans write and direct a story by Tjahjanto about a religious cult with great style. A documentary crew gets permission from Father to actually enter his compound in remote Thailand and interview him. It's a very special day at the compound, as salvation is almost there and Father will lead them through with the key.
The fact is that "Safe Haven" is one of the few films in all of the V/H/S franchise to actually develop female characters and give them agency in their actions. The circumstances surrounding the sexual assault on minors are not glorified like so much violence against women in other shorts here. I actually wish "Safe Haven" was a stand alone feature film, as Tjanjanto and Huw Evans cover a ridiculous amount of content and plot twists with so much nuance in so short an amount of time. Believe me, you won't see where this one is going because you couldn't possibly predict everything that happens by the end of the "Safe Haven" tape.
"Slumber Party Alien Abduction" from writer/director Jason Eisener and writer John Davies is what it sounds like. Two brothers and a sister invite all their friends over for a wild party when the parents go out of town. They film everything in a back and forth prank war, including the start of the alien invasion marked by neon flashing lights and dubstep bass.
This short is a cool little concept that overstays its welcome. It's just a bit too long to sustain the intensity. It also, unsurprisingly for this series, only shows the actual violence against the alien victims on the female victim. She's also constantly perved on by her younger brothers' friends. I actually know more about how hot every male in the film thinks she is than I know about her. I mean, I only learned her name was Jen because of subtitles. The alien attacks are really inventive, but the whole short left a bad taste in my mouth.
V/H/S/2 certainly has an audience, and it's not me. The people who love this series really love it. I actually like the concept (and love anthology horror), but the treatment of half the potential population of these films kills my interest right away.
And no, V/H/S Viral isn't any better in that regard; the framing story is about a boyfriend's obsession with filming his girlfriend. Sigh.
V/H/S/2 is currently streaming on Netflix.