‘Do NOT touch the tape inside’
House of VHS is a 2016 French horror film written and directed by Gautier Cazenave (Onenut; Sherlock Holmes vs. Frankenstein) about young people terrorised by a mysterious VCR. Also known as Ghosts in the Machine
The movie stars Florie Vialens, Morgan Lamorté, Delphine Lanniel, Isabel McCann, Pétur Sigurdsson, and Ewen Blumenstein.
Official synopsis:
A group of young people hailing from six different countries – France, UK, US, Australia, Italy and Belgium – take off for a summer vacation in the French countryside.
They force their way into an old abandoned house and plan on spending a good time despite having no water or electricity. But one of them discovers a dusty trunk full of VHS tapes, with a mysterious VCR that seems able to work without electricity.
After they start watching the bizarre movies recorded on the tapes, the students realize that there are strange forces at work and that their lives might be in danger…
Reviews:
“On the plus side, the audience gets to see a mash-up of different sci-fi/horror and exploitation films, some real and some pretend, which eventuates in a bit of fun. At the same time, it goes for a little too long and seems like filler. Although there is an indication that Cazenave does have an interest in cult cinema.” Film Blerg
“More than half of the show is taken up by the group fooling around and fighting amongst themselves before we even get to the horror element. The film does little with its premise […] we are never given an adequate explanation for why the genre mash-ups are going on…” Moria
“Early on you do find yourself wondering where the film is going to head but once the abilities of the VHS are shown the film goes to a whole new level. While the film does at times attempt to head into the comical side of things it is at its best when it sticks to its guns and stays a schlock horror that leaves you wondering which of the characters are going to survive and which are going to meet a grizzly end.” Subculture Media
Release:
A British DVD release, Ghosts in the Machine, was released on 21 November 2016 by Three Wolves Ltd.
Buy: Amazon.co.uk
Trailer:
