Directed by
Ti West
Made by
Magnet Releasing
Discover the intricate plot of V/H/S (2012). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
The film is structured as an anthology, presenting multiple “found footage” tales, all cleverly wrapped around a central narrative titled “Tape 56.” This main arc follows a group of masked criminals, tasked by an unseen entity, as they infiltrate an abandoned house to retrieve a mysterious VHS tape. Their exploits begin with a chaotic break-in where they harass a young woman while subduing her boyfriend. As this sinister crew continues their search within the dilapidated structure, they stumble upon a deceased man who had apparently been watching television.
One of the members becomes engrossed in an older tape already playing on the VCR, leading to unnerving revelations. Within this backdrop, brief segments unveil the eerie connection between the group’s fate and the activities surrounding the dead man, who seems to exhibit alarming movements undetected by the onlookers.
As the narrative progresses, the gruesome consequences of their actions unfold. One by one, team members vanish, and the leader’s descent into chaos culminates in a chilling encounter with the undead, leaving him cornered and presumably meeting a grisly end. The final tape plays as a haunting conclusion to the series of disturbing encounters.
Amateur Night follows three friends — Shane, Patrick, and Clint — who rent a hotel room seeking wild adventures, equipped with a hidden webcam in Clint’s glasses. The trio’s night takes a dark turn when they entice two girls, Lily and Lisa, to join them. Tensions rise as Lily seems drawn to Clint, leading to a series of horrifying events where the group’s desires morph into a nightmare. After witnessing the shocking transformation of Lily into a vampiric creature, Clint narrowly escapes while suffering a broken wrist, while his friends meet gruesome ends.
Second Honeymoon presents a couple, Sam and Stephanie, embarking on a romantic escape only to find their idyllic getaway shrouded in malevolence. A masked intruder enters their hotel room, ultimately culminating in a deadly confrontation when Stephanie betrays her husband in a chilling twist.
In Tuesday the 17th, Wendy leads her friends on a trip to her hometown, revealing a troubled past entwined with a malevolent figure from her youth. The group is brutally sliced apart one by one until Wendy’s desperate attempt to catch the killer backfires, leaving her as the final victim.
The Sick Thing That Happened to Emily When She Was Younger offers another unsettling narrative, involving Emily, who, alongside her boyfriend James, wrestles with unexplained supernatural happenings in her apartment. What began as mere disbelief escalates when James realizes the truth behind the haunting events, leading to a shocking revelation about Emily’s condition.
Lastly, 10/31/98 follows Chad, Matt, Tyler, and Paul as they venture to what they believe is a Halloween party. They inadvertently stumble upon a sinister cult conducting a ritual, and their attempt to save a captive woman spirals into chaos. As paranormal forces converge, the friends find themselves trapped in a nightmarish scenario with a train barreling down upon them, leading to a tragic end.
This anthology weaves a chilling tapestry of horror, blending tales of betrayal, supernatural terror, and gruesome demise, leaving viewers trembling with unease and an unsettling curiosity about the dark corners of human desires and the unknown.
Track the key events of V/H/S (2012) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
The Break-In Begins
A group of masked criminals initiates a chaotic break-in at an abandoned house. They subdue a young woman and her boyfriend, intimidating them as they search for an elusive VHS tape.
Discovery of the Dead Man
As the criminals scour the old house, they stumble upon a deceased man who appears to have been watching television. This eerie discovery leads to unsettling questions about the circumstances of his death.
The Tape is Found
One member of the group becomes engrossed in an older tape that is already playing on the VCR. The disturbing content leads to revelations that connect the group's fate to the strange happenings in the house.
Tension Escalates
As the night unfolds, the group's actions take a dark turn, resulting in one member mysteriously vanishing. The atmosphere becomes increasingly tense as they realize they are not alone in the house.
Revelations of the Undead
The dead man begins exhibiting alarming movements, suggesting a supernatural connection. This revelation heightens the dread among the criminals as they become entwined in a horror beyond their understanding.
The Gruesome Consequences
One by one, the criminals continue to disappear under mysterious and violent circumstances. The leader's grip on reality slips away as he witnesses the horrific fates of his companions.
Encounter with the Undead
The group's leader faces a chilling encounter with the undead that brings his descent into chaos to a climax. Cornered and terrified, he realizes there may be no escape from the horrors he unleashed.
The Final Tape Plays
As the story reaches its climax, the last tape reveals the full extent of the terror experienced by the group. This haunting conclusion serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of their actions in the house.
Amateur Night Begins
In a parallel narrative, three friends—Shane, Patrick, and Clint—rent a hotel room for wild adventures. They set up a hidden webcam in Clint's glasses, setting the stage for their fateful night.
The Night Takes a Turn
Clint, Shane, and Patrick entice two girls, Lily and Lisa, to join them. As tensions rise, Clint becomes intertwined with Lily, leading to unexpected and horrific twists during the night.
Lily's Transformation
The group witnesses a horrifying transformation of Lily into a vampiric creature. As chaos ensues, Clint narrowly escapes but sustains a broken wrist, while his friends face brutal fates.
Second Honeymoon Unravels
Sam and Stephanie, a couple seeking romance, find themselves in a malevolent situation. A masked intruder disrupts their getaway, culminating in a shocking betrayal that alters their fate.
Wendy's Fateful Trip
In 'Tuesday the 17th', Wendy brings her friends to her hometown where a malevolent figure haunts her past. The group is slaughtered one by one until Wendy becomes the last victim in a desperate bid to confront the killer.
Emily's Disturbing Reality
Emily and her boyfriend James face unexplained supernatural events in their apartment. As James unravels the truth regarding Emily's condition, they endure a harrowing confrontation with the unknown.
The Halloween Party Horror
'10/31/98' follows Chad, Matt, Tyler, and Paul as they mistakenly enter a sinister cult's ritual while seeking a Halloween party. Their attempt to rescue a captive woman leads to a chaotic and tragic finale.
Meet the characters that bring V/H/S (2012) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Shane
Shane is one of the three friends seeking adventure during a wild night out. His curiosity and desire lead him down a perilous path as events spiral into horror. Despite his jovial demeanor, Shane reveals a darker side when faced with the consequences of their reckless actions.
Stephanie
Stephanie is a central figure in the segment 'Second Honeymoon.' Initially portrayed as a loving partner, her character takes a chilling turn influenced by a masked intruder. Stephanie’s betrayal adds layers of complexity to her persona, illustrating the fragility of trust in relationships.
Wendy
Wendy leads her friends on a trip filled with nostalgia, only to confront dark reminders from her past. Her character evolves from a guide to a victim, encapsulating themes of unresolved trauma and the consequences of revisiting one's history. Wendy’s desperation ultimately seals her fate.
Uncover the settings of V/H/S (2012), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film's events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting a modern context where technology and media play significant roles in the storytelling. The anthology is set against the backdrop of the digital age, characterized by the proliferation of found footage and the omnipresence of cameras in social situations. This era's anxieties about privacy, safety, and trust are vividly captured through the narratives.
Location
abandoned house, hotel, hometown, apartment
The abandoned house serves as the primary setting for the main narrative, filled with dark secrets and lurking dangers. Hotels and hometowns in the tales symbolize places of comfort that become twisted by malevolent forces. The apartment represents personal spaces where familiarity is shattered by the supernatural. Each setting enhances the chilling atmosphere and amplifies the horror elements of the anthology.
Explore the core themes of V/H/S (2012). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Horror
Horror is the leading theme throughout 'V/H/S,' capturing various aspects of fear, terror, and human vulnerability. Each segment delves into psychological and supernatural horrors, exploring the macabre consequences of curiosity and desire. The anthology collectively leaves an impression of dread and a contemplation on how ordinary situations can lead to nightmarish outcomes.
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Betrayal
Betrayal plays a crucial role in several narratives, particularly in segments like 'Second Honeymoon.' Here, trust is overturned dramatically, leading to deadly confrontations that breach the sanctity of personal relationships. The theme serves as a reminder of how quickly loyalties can shift in the face of dark desires.
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Supernatural
The supernatural theme pervades the anthology, as various segments feature ghosts, malevolent spirits, and unexplained phenomena. This theme emphasizes the thin veil between reality and the spectral world, showcasing how characters confront forces beyond their comprehension. The haunting presence in these tales encapsulates fears of the unknown and represents the psychological turmoil faced by the characters.
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