V/H/S

V/H/S (also known as VHS) is a 2012 American anthology horror film created by Brad Miska and Bloody Disgusting.

It features a series of found-footage shorts directed by David Bruckner, Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swanberg, and the filmmaking collective Radio Silence, as well as a frame narrative that links all the segments together, directed by Adam Wingard. Released on the 12 July 2013, it was followed by two sequels, V/H/S 2 and V/H/S Viral, and a spin-off, SiREN.

Since the film's release, it has become a cult classic and can be attributed with bringing attention back to anthology horror films. Additionally, a couple of the shorts featured in the series, particulary "Amateur Night" and "Safe Haven", have recieved critical acclaim and are considered by many to be standout examples of what found-footage horror can be.

"Tape 56"/frame narrative

 * Directed by Adam Wingard


 * Written by Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett

The frame narrative focuses on a criminal gang who film their exploits, which include smashing the walls and windows of an abandoned house and sexually assaulting a woman in a parking lot. An anonymous source offers them a large sum of money to break into a house and steal a single VHS videotape. The gang is eager to expand their criminal enterprises, and accept the task but soon themselves picked off and hunted by a strange creature.

Stars: Lanes Hughes, Adam Wingard and Frank Stack.

"Amateur Night"

 * Directed by David Bruckner
 * Written by David Bruckner and Nicholas Tecosky

The short follows a group of three friends who visit a local nightclub, intending to pick up drunk girls for the purpose of filming an amateur porn video. Unbeknownst to them, one of the girls who they take home is hiding a dark secret, and their immoral plot of sex and voyeurism is sure to come to a grisly end.

Spun-off into the feature film, SiREN, directed by Gregg Bishop.

Stars: Hannah Fierman, Mike Donlan and Drew Sawyer.

"Second Honeymoon"

 * Directed by Ti West
 * Written by Ti West

It follows a couple on their second honeymoon in Arizona, who face relationship troubles and a mysterious stalker, who seems to have some kind of connection to the couple.

Stars: Joe Swanberg, Sophia Takal and Kate Lyn Sheil.

"Tuesday the 17th"

 * Directed by Glenn McQuaid
 * Written by Glenn McQuaid

A homage to slasher movies of the past, this short follows a group of friends who are led into the woods by a one of the members, and are pursued by a seemingly unstoppable, invisible killer.

Stars: Norma C.Quinones, Drew Moerlein and Jason Yachanin.

"The Sick Thing That Happened to Emily When She Was Younger"

 * Directed by Joe Swanberg
 * Written by Simon Barrett

This short is shot entirely to look like desktop footage, and follows a couple who are haunted and tormented by what seems to be ghostly children.

Stars: Helen Rodger, Daniel Kaufman and Liz Harvey.

"10/31/98"

 * Directed by Radio Silence
 * Written by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez, and Chad Villella

The short is set on the title date (Halloween in 1998), follows a group of friends who head out to a party at a friends house, only to end up at the wrong address. However, there is something terrible lurking in the attic of the house, and soon the boys are running for their lives from a powerful, demonic entity.

Stars: Chad Villella, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

Trivia

 * the word "fuck" is said around 240 times over the runtime of the movie
 * A character in the 'Tuesday the 17th' section of the film says "I'd fuck me". This is a direct reference and quote from Buffalo Bill in an infamous scene in 'The Silence of the Lambs'