“V/H/S/Halloween” proves the long-running anthology still has life – and a few new tricks up its sleeve.

“V/H/S/Halloween” features five short stories and a sixth overarching segment titled “Diet Phantasma,” “Coochie Coochie Coo,” “Ut Supra Sic Infra,” “Fun Size,” “Kidprint” and “Home Haunt.”

A Twisted Start

Out of the five, the first short (“Coochie Coochie Coo”) takes the cake as the most unsettling. It combines the perfect mixture of abrupt noises, flickering lights and chaotic camerawork to elevate intensity at every turn. Not only that, but the words “Coochie Coochie Coo” are now engraved in my brain.

This first entry is so over-the-top weird that it’s hard not to feel slightly uncomfortable.

The second short takes a different approach to horror, reconstructing an event rather than living through it. This installment is particularly engaging, as it perfectly mixes the past and present to construct a complete narrative.

Because of this, the second short is uniquely entertaining. It doesn’t rely on jump scares, and it doesn’t feel the need to over-explain.

Horror Meets Humor

“V/H/S/Halloween” takes an unbelievably wild turn in its third segment. While it isn’t the scariest, it surely is the most… interesting.

Rather than scares, this story dives into full-blown horror-comedy. It takes the “one per person” trick-or-treating rule and crafts a tale that had me laughing from beginning to end. The performances limit this from being an all-time classic, but the script nonetheless remains hysterically great.

The fourth story in “V/H/S/Halloween” is by far the most sadistic. It certainly pushes the boundaries of horror, with visceral gore and a bone-chilling plot. This installment is also the most unpredictable, with a number of twists and turns that keep it feeling fresh.

The fifth and final installment once again pushes the limit of what horror films typically show onscreen. It’s another comedic entry, with most of the gore and terror being played for humor.

It’s a fun ending that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while also not holding back.

Frights Worth Revisiting

Anthology movies typically struggle because only one or two segments stand out, while the rest feel subpar. That isn’t the case with “V/H/S/Halloween,” with each entry maintaining a consistent standard. Not all of them are top-tier, but none diminish the overall quality of the movie as a whole.

“V/H/S/Halloween” does not hold back on the gore. The entire movie continuously shows off up-close and personal kills, making you feel every swing, slice and impact during the process. Practical effects shine here, with inventive ideas brought to life onscreen every time.

As a whole, the performances are passable. Some segments feature stronger acting than others, but it’s never noticeably distracting.

Even with the positives, there’s still a sense of “been there, done that” with “V/H/S/Halloween.” The first segment, specifically, feels like a variation of a story told many times before. Despite this, it still throws in slight quirks and variations to leave a sense of uniqueness in each tale.

The overarching narrative of “V/H/S/Halloween” is also more compelling than ever before. Other “V/H/S” entries struggle to find a central identity, but with Halloween as its core, this installment nails it – tying its loosely connected ideas together into something cohesive.

“V/H/S/Halloween” blends the perfect mixture of horror and humor. The overarching narrative is consistent, with this theme easily tailoring to a variety of creatively weird ideas. The end result – spooktacular.

Rating: 4 out of 5