Shudder, out now

The fifth instalment in the V/H/S franchise Featuring five new stories set in 1999.

In R.A.C.K (written and directed by Maggie Levin) a punk group visit a former music video where a tragedy happened three years previously, Suicide Bid (written and directed by Johannes Roberts) follows a hazing ritual for a college freshman, Ozzy’s Dungeon (directed by Flying Lotus) looks at the fanaticism surrounding an old TV show, The Gawkers (directed by Tyler MacIntyre) follows some voyeurs getting more than an eyeful, and To Hell and Back (written and  directed by Joseph & Vanessa Winter) films two video enthusiasts at a satanic ritual.

There’s a whole bunch of big ideas here and at under 20 minutes apiece, no story outstays its welcome. The format of VHS found footage means that any shortcomings in the production can be sold as deliberate, and there’s no shortage of creative VFX and gore.

The Blu-ray contains deleted scenes, a music video, camera tests, storyboards and location scouting. V/H/S/99 harkens back to the final punk rock analogue days of VHS, while taking one giant leap forward into the hellish new millennium.

Verdict: Gory, inventive fun from young filmmakers that never outstays its welcome.  7/10

Nick Joy