V/H/S: Viral

Name: V/H/S: Viral
Genre: Action, Thriller, Horror
Released: November 21, 2014
Duration: 82 min
Rating: 38

2014

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Generally unfavorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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Generally unfavorable reviews based on 38 Ratings

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3.4	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 38 Ratings

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V/H/S: Viral

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnet Releasing | Release Date: November 21, 2014 | R

Summary: A police chase involving a deranged ice cream truck has captivated the attention of the greater Los Angeles area. Dozens of fame-obsessed teens flock to the streets with their video cameras and camera phones, hell-bent on capturing the next viral video. But there is something far more sinister occurring in the streets of L.A. than a simpleA police chase involving a deranged ice cream truck has captivated the attention of the greater Los Angeles area. Dozens of fame-obsessed teens flock to the streets with their video cameras and camera phones, hell-bent on capturing the next viral video. But there is something far more sinister occurring in the streets of L.A. than a simple police chase. Soon all those obsessed with capturing salacious footage for no other purpose than to amuse or titillate become the stars of the next video, one where they face their own death. [Magnet Releasing]… Expand

Director: Aaron Moorhead and Gregg Bishop and Justin Benson and Marcel Sarmiento and Nacho Vigalondo and Todd Lincoln and Vince Cupone

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 82 min

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Critic Reviews

Chris Tilly

Jun 28, 2017

The fact that V/H/S Viral frequently substitutes laughs for scares means that the film will disappoint hardcore fright fans. But if you like your horror mixed with laughs, this anthology threequel is a blast. Read full review

Matt Donato

Jun 28, 2017

Grab on for dear life and expect a freakish, wild, and seriously f#cked up ride from start to finish - which, of course, is every horror fan's dream. Read full review

Mark Rozeman

Jun 28, 2017

While none of Viral’s segments manage to equal any of the better sequences from either previous V/H/S installments, what’s left is a solid group of vignettes that—while not reinventing the wheel—will surely put a smile on the right (albeit, twisted) viewers’ faces. Read full review

Simon Abrams

Nov 18, 2014

Each propulsive segment features a handful of disturbing sequences... But such pleasures barely compensate for the vapidity of V/H/S: Viral's sketches. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Nov 22, 2014

Getting four mediocre horror efforts for the price of one doesn't exactly represent a significant bargain. Read full review

Kenji Fujishima

Nov 17, 2014

One need go no further than the film's first segment to grasp how little interest the latest entry in the anthology series has in generating chills from the lo-fi. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Nov 21, 2014

There was little reason to expect such a horrendous drop in quality as there is to “Viral,” a film that contains some of the sloppiest, most ineffective filmmaking I’ve seen all year. Read full review

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User Reviews

BrushedRed

Mar 22, 2015

It's really not AS bad as everyone is making it out to be. I was iffy to watch as I looked through the abysmal reviews. I actually enjoyed this as a whole even though it was easily the weakest of the franchise. The wrap around story was a touch confusing and I don't really know what wasIt's really not AS bad as everyone is making it out to be. I was iffy to watch as I looked through the abysmal reviews. I actually enjoyed this as a whole even though it was easily the weakest of the franchise. The wrap around story was a touch confusing and I don't really know what was going on and the first segment with the magician was pretty weak but the second and third stories were well-done. The second was this movie's shining moment. The whole movie had an atmosphere of dread. I felt unsettled and creeped out through the last two segments. The extra segment after the movie was a tad weak and I agree it didn't belong. My overall impression is a 6/10. Definitely not one I regret purchasing this one. Don't listen to everyone giving it abysmal reviews, give it a chance but don't be expecting the overall cleverness of the first 2.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

BrupcatBR

Jul 11, 2016

V/H/S: Viral is the third and last movie in the V/H/S trillogy, and it contains not the same vibe, but it's still overall found footage. It talks about a police chase against a ice-cream truck that has caused a lot of attention in Los Angeles, having dozens of teenagers that are obsessed byV/H/S: Viral is the third and last movie in the V/H/S trillogy, and it contains not the same vibe, but it's still overall found footage. It talks about a police chase against a ice-cream truck that has caused a lot of attention in Los Angeles, having dozens of teenagers that are obsessed by fame, recording the event to make the next viral video. I will give my review upon the main frame, and the other segments aswell. The main frame is also named a segment on it's own, even if it contains slight intervals through out the movie, all of which being from this specific mega-segment. As it's the one that most matters — Not for me though, we're gonna start by reviewing Vicious Circles, the story main-frame. To start also reviewing the overall movie, the movie contains terrible CGI, specially in the main-frame, Vicious Circles. Vicious Circles is the wrap-around, that talks about Kevin, a character that becomes obsessed with shooting footage of his girlfriend, named Iris. Now for the actual review, Vicious Circles contains intresting points with alright cinematography, but overall, the acting is poor, and isn't even disturbing, while the ending is actually alright and does a bit of effect, it doesn't make up for the rest it offers poorly, such as a fail in story-writing, terrible gore use with terrible CGI, it doesn't offer any kind of thrill, and is overall what i most disliked from this film. A final rating for Vicious Circles is a 2.5/10, as it contains a ending that is pretty good compared to the rest it offers, but it's overall still poor, poor acting, cinematography, direction, terrible CGI, and any thrills it tries to make only causes in laughs, for the poor quality it has. Now for Dante the Great. Dante the Great is pretty much, about a untalented illusionist that finds a cloak that grants him the power to perform real magic, and it eventually leads to him becoming famous. However, the cloak requires regular sacrifices to be made, otherwise it won't work. The cloak is pretty much a demon. It has a cool idea, although it's kind of cliche. There isn't much to talk about here, and the gore is used a little better, but it's overall still not well-made. We could say it gathers cool action at some small moments, but doesn't offer much. Overall, it's not worth it, and it has a tone for comedy, but overall, it's not worth your time, even if not necessairly bad, but it just isn't anything special. A rating for Dante the Great would be a 6.2/10 — It contains a cliche, but still rather somewhat entertaining storyline, but yet again, it has not very good acting. The soundtrack is pretty good overall, but the things that truly matter are some of the action sequences, and the ending. It's a good concept, that just wasn't well executed, and it fails to disturb or shock. Now for my personal favorite, Pararell Monsters. Pararell Monsters is really confusing, really confusing. But it's incredible in it's own right. It talks about a guy who is able to create a type of machine that enables him into going into alternate and pararell timelines, universes and worlds, all of which are versions of his own world and ours, Earth. At first, it seems like a exact replica of our world, but it overall is a much more disturinbg world, and the idea of them both exploring each others different worlds go very, very wrong, resulting in a thrilling, unnerving, smart and confusing segment. The writing is smart and unique, and uses a technique that usually results in completly different films, transforming a concept of pararell worlds, timelines and universes into a psychotic, psychologically unnerving, and thrilling to bone-chilling segment. It contains great acting, writing, and overall succeeds in disturbing the viewer, and i really love it, even if the comedy that is involved isn't so good, and neither is some of the moments that show up. Pararell Monsters deserves an 9.5/10 — It's really good, and that's all i have to say, it is a psychologically unnerving version of the concept of pararell universes, timelines and worlds. Now for the last segment, Bonestorm. Bonestorm talks about some teens who are skateboarders, performing various stunts as the videographer they hired pushes them into increasingly dangerous circumstances. When they become bored, they go to After they become bored, they go to Tijuana, where they subsequently become lost. Once they find a suitable place, the videographer encourages them to again perform more stunts. When one of the skateboarders injures himself and bleeds on a pentagram, a group of people from a cult begins to attack them. Plain and simple: It's an action segment, with elements of thriller and horror. It's really cool and entertaining, as the skateboarders fight back. It eventually becomes disturbing. Having top notch acting and writing, Bonestorm recieves an 7.5/10 — Having top notch acting, entertaining action and a rather disturbing result as an ending, it's good. V/H/S: Viral overall gets a 5.3/10.… Expand

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Hallow_99

Mar 23, 2015

OK, it's almost awful. The part with skateboard guys helps the film not to be 100% bad "WTF" movie. It's the worst movie of the V/H/S series. A one-off film. Of course, as previous parts, it has it's moments, but they don't help at all.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

moonman1994

May 20, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. V/H/S: Viral had four main stories. The main overarching story was a police chase. This story was poorly put together and made little sense. Everytime one of the other stories ended and it went back to this one I found myself irritated. The viral fixation in it was stupid and the conclusion just left me confused. The directing was also irritating in this one as the constant flashes in and out and the random sub stories in this main story seemed completely unnecessary. I give it a 2/10. The second story was Dante the Great. I actually really enjoyed this segment. It was reminiscent of an old Twilight Zone. It also did a great job mimicking the crime documentaries that are constantly on TV. It was definitely the high point of the movie. I'd give it an 8/10. Then next segment was the vortex segment in which a man traveled to a parallel universe. It started out promising, despite being a concept that has been seen many times before. It turned into however an idiotic mess. The parallel universe was run by demons or something which were not in the least bit scary and it just seemed silly. I'd give it a 3/10. The last main segment was a segment involving skaters. The plot was ok but the skaters were far far too dumb. After stumbling on an obvious Satanic site they decide to stay and skate. Then when people with skull faces show up they stay and skate. When they start to get murdered they stay skate and then start killing the skull faces. Then they suddenly decide they should run. NOBODY is so stupid they'd wait that long to run. That being said the first person filming with the Go-Pro cams in this segment was really really cool, but it certainly does not save this segment. I'd give it a 3/10 as well. All in all it can be said that all the acting was good but the writing (other than the Dante segment which I enjoyed) was poor. The directing decisions in the main story were also questionable. The main story also didn't seem very V/H/S like either as there were really no VHSs but I guess that's where the "viral" comes in. It's not terrible but on average it's not good and it does not live up to the other V/H/S films.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

maikkrey

Nov 21, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Hier ist also meine erste Filmkritik zu einem ganz frischem Horrorfilm, wobei Horror gar nicht mehr dazu passt. VHS Viral, ist der dritte Film der VHS Reihe, und kommt etwas holprig an die Öffentlichkeit. Der Film wird nur in Ausgewählten Kinos laufen, sowie auf “Video on Demand” Portalen wie Amazon. Zusätzlich kommt noch hinzu, dass anstatt Vier, nur Drei Filme zu sehen sind. Ein Film wurde nämlich kurz vor Schluss wieder entfernt. Damit hat der Film eine Laufzeit von nur 80 Minuten, aber genug des Vorgeplänkels und rann an den Stoff!

In VHS geht es immer um folgende Merkmale: Founded Footage Style, eine Hauptgeschichte, in der verschiedene VHS Bänder mit Filmen gefunden, die ziemlich abgedreht sind. Teilweise sind sie Gruselig und mit viel Schockszenen bestückt, andere wiederum, setzen nur auf Gore und Splatter oder Interessanten Einfällen. In Viral, läuft die Sache allerdings etwas anders, denn hier wurde ein wenig Experimentiert. Ich gehe ganz kurz auf die folgenden Filme ein mit Bewertung:

Vicious Circles

Die Hauptgeschichte, dreht sich diesmal um eine Verfolgungsjagd, die im Fernsehn ausgestrahlt wird. In der heutigen Zeit, will jeder via Facebook,Twitter oder Youtube berühmt werden. Ganz klar, dass da viele Menschen die Verfolgungsjagd von nahem filmen wollen, um schnell berühmt zu werden(to go Viral) Ein paar wird in die Jagd verwickelt und die Freundin verschwindet auf mysteriöser Weise. Ihr Freund versucht sie zu finden, will aber gleichzeitig noch mit seiner Kamera die Verfolgungsjagd festhalten. Diese Geschichte wird ab und zu zwischen den anderen Filmen fortgeführt, heißt, es werden diesmal keine VHS Bänder mehr gesammelt. Die Idee ist an sich nicht schlecht, man hätte aber mehr draus machen können.

2,5 von 5 Sterne

Dante the Great

Kurzfassung: Dieser Kurzfilm ist eine Doku über einen Magier, der mit seinen tricks auch vor Gewalt nicht zurückschreckt. Der ganze Film ist nur an wenigen Stellen Founded Footage und ist ganz klar ein Experiment, was leider etwas in die Hose ging. Es ist Stellenweise langweilig, die Idee ist zwar nett, aber reißt einen einfach nicht mit. Der Magierkampf am Ende, macht es auch nicht besser. Falls es jemals einen 4. teil geben sollte, bitte noch einmal Versuchen und besser machen.

1 von 5 Sterne

Parallel Monsters

Hier kommen wir nun zum meiner Meinung nach, besten Film in VHS Viral. Zwar schockt dieser auch nicht so lange und ist auch relativ Ereignislos, aber die Idee ist Klasse. Alfonso baut sich ein Tor zu einer anderen Dimension und tauscht mit sich selbst für 15 Minuten die Dimensionen. Alles scheint recht normal, bis man merkt, das der Zweite Alfonso und seine Frau gar keine menschen sind, sondern Monster mit leuchtenden Augen und Münder. Hier kommt zum ersten mal endlich das gute alte “WTF?!” VHS Feeling auf. Nur schade, dass es ab hier wieder Berg ab geht. Trotzdem für diesen Film eine gute Bewertung!

4 von 5 Sterne

Bonestorm

Hier muss ich leider etwas ruppig werden, denn anders kann ich diesen Film nicht beschreiben: Coole Skater filmen sich und wollen Schlägereien anzetteln. Um ebenfalls berühmt zu werden, filmen sie ihre letzten Tricks in Mexico auf einem verlassenem Gelände, was von Untoten…..Mexikanern belagert wird. Das Problem hier ist, dass es 1. langatmig Inszeniert ist(es wird mindestens 8 Minuten lang nur gekämpft) 2. Die Kamera viel zu heftig wackelt und man somit fast nichts erkennt und 3. dieser Film echt scheiße endet. Idee war auch hier an sich ganz nett, aber man hätte viel viel mehr draus machen können. Vielleicht ein zweites “Safe Heaven” oder so(mein Lieblings-film aus S-VHS)

2 von 5 Sterne

Gorgeous Vortex

Wurde leider raus-geschnitten

Fazit: Der dritte VHS Teil ist eine große Enttäuschung. Konnten die letzten zwei Filme noch mit guten Ideen und etwas Grusel Punkten, wurde hier einfach nur lieblos gearbeitet. Zwar waren ein paar gute Ideen dabei, aber man hätte einen viel besseren Film daraus machen können. Die Hauptgeschichte endet ebenfalls komisch, was aber auch klar war. Mein Tipp: Schaut euch lieber die anderen Filme an und spart euch die 80 Minuten. Für Fans des Franchises leider eine große Enttäuschung.

Technik: 10/25

Spaß: 7/25

Ideen: 11/25

Genre: 10/25

Gesamt: 38/100 Punkte… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

horcrux2007

Mar 21, 2015

Being a fan of the other two V/H/S movies, I was sorely disappointed by this one. Not a single segment really excites, scares, or really interests the audience, even if a couple of them have interesting ideas. What makes this movie even worse is that it's not even a true found footage movieBeing a fan of the other two V/H/S movies, I was sorely disappointed by this one. Not a single segment really excites, scares, or really interests the audience, even if a couple of them have interesting ideas. What makes this movie even worse is that it's not even a true found footage movie like the other two V/H/S films. There are a lot of shots that seem to be coming from a camera that isn't there or cutting between cameras like a traditional film. Anyway, the frame narrative of this installment is a poorly executed attempt at some social commentary, and it tries to tie itself to the other two movies in a very vague, confusing, and silly way. The first segment, Dante the Great, mostly fails due to the fact that it's a short. This segment is a mockumentary about a man who finds an object of great, yet dark power, and he becomes a very famous magician. Had this story been fleshed out into a feature-length movie, the story of this object and its affects on the magician could have been fleshed out better, rather than just ending in an anti-climactic and silly fight scene. The second segment is called Parallel Monsters, and, from what I've read from other articles, it's the fan favorite. Like Dante the Great, this segment did have pretty good ideas that descended into mediocrity by the end of the short, unless you're into penis demons. The final short, Bonestorm, was actually my favorite despite being hated by most other people. The segment focuses on a group of skaters who drive to Tijuana to shoot a video, and they happen to run into a group of crazy, undead cultists. It's mostly one big gory fight scene that runs on a little too long, but I give it points for at least being fairly exciting and having some good gore, even if it's more or less a riff on a segment from V/H/S/2. There's also a "hidden" segment that was cut before its festival release called Gorgeous Vortex and is only available on DVD and Blu-Ray that I wasn't able to watch since I watched it on Netflix. From what I've read, it's an experimental art house short that contains no story or dialogue, and it only seems to make the film worse as a whole. I don't recommend this movie unless you want to marathon the entire trilogy. If that's the case, all three can be found on Netflix.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

z14170

Dec 1, 2014

RUINED! They completely ruined the franchise, Magnet should fire the director and everyone involved on this film. I am a huge fan of the first two and this third movie is the worst thing that could had happened to the series. After this extremely mediocre movie I really doubt that we willRUINED! They completely ruined the franchise, Magnet should fire the director and everyone involved on this film. I am a huge fan of the first two and this third movie is the worst thing that could had happened to the series. After this extremely mediocre movie I really doubt that we will see a fourth one, and it is a real shame since the first two were great, specially the second one.
I hope that they can bring back some of the people who made VHS 2 and make a fourth one with same kind of plots and terror.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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