V/H/S

Midnighters
D: David Bruckner, Ti West, Joe Swanberg, Glenn McQuaid, Adam Wingard, Radio Silence; with Joe Swanberg, Calvin Reeder,
Kate Lyn Sheil

A day at a swimming hole. A road trip. Spring break. A Skype chat. A Halloween party. All places you would expect someone with a video camera, and that’s part of why this found-footage, horror-anthology shocker gets so under your skin. The directors are the bloody best of the mumblegore movement, so all are used to merging plausible characters with scares. The POV format never feels false: Instead, it’s like front seat at the analogue gallows. Even the enigmatic wraparound story – a home-invading crew of thugs hunting down a mysterious video recording – provides no respite. So if you’re looking for the Crypt-Keeper to laugh all the terror away, forget it. Each segment shocks in different ways, from the supernatural to the simply malevolent, and the popcorn-tossing jumps are just as effective as the creeping sense of dread. Break off the “do not record” tabs: This V/H/S is a keeper.

Friday, March 6, 12mid, Alamo Ritz

This article appears in March 16 • 2012.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.