V/H/S/Mixtape Review: David Moreau's Cursed 2026 Horror

As with previous installments, the film operates as an anthology, bound together by a frame narrative that is as bizarre as it is specific. We open on the legendary GWAR - featuring Mike Derks as BalSac The Jaws of The Death, Michael Bishop as Blothar The Berserker, Brad Roberts as Jizmak Da Gusha, Casey Orr as Beefcake The Mighty, and Bob Gorman as Bonesnapper The Incredibly Boring Cave Troll - who serve as our unholy masters of ceremonies. Their presence sets a tone of theatrical gore that permeates the entire runtime.

The central wraparound involves a cursed collection of tapes that act as music videos from hell. Each segment explores a different sub-genre of fear and sound. We are treated to the bizarre "The Music of Mr. Sze," featuring Alex Hsu in a role that promises cultural horror but descends into typical jump-scare fare. The other segments, including appearances by Mike Ferguson and Jihad Brent, weave through various urban legends and digital nightmares, with the common thread being the infectious nature of the music. The story beats are familiar: someone finds a tape, they play it, and they regret it. It is a ritual we know well, but the "music video" framing device allows for a more experimental visual style than the standard "cop found this footage" trope.

The moment the GWAR-led frame narrative kicks in, you know exactly what you are signing up for. It is loud, obnoxious, and covered in fake blood. David Moreau directs with a frenetic energy that suits the material, but the film suffers from a severe case of multiple personality disorder. At 98 minutes, the pacing is relentless, yet it often feels like you are flipping through channels at 3 AM rather than watching a cohesive film.

The highlight, surprisingly, is the frame narrative itself. The GWAR segments are delightfully campy, embracing the absurdity of the premise. Mike Derks and Michael Bishop chew the scenery with glee, their intergalactic warrior shtick providing a necessary palate cleanser between the more grim, handheld sequences. It is the only part of the film that seems to be having genuine fun.

However, the individual segments are a mixed bag. "The Music of Mr. Sze" attempts to blend psychological horror with a viral video aesthetic but ends up feeling hollow. The scares are telegraphed, relying on loud noises rather than genuine dread. Other segments try to tackle the dark side of internet fame and the music industry, but the commentary is about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. The found footage aspect is used effectively in short bursts, particularly in scenes involving tight corridors and flashing lights, but the shaky-cam aesthetic becomes nauseating during the musical performance sequences.

The film's biggest flaw is its reliance on gore over atmosphere. There is plenty of blood - don't get me wrong - but it lacks the creeping, lingering terror that made the first "V/H/S" so effective. The "music" aspect is a clever hook, but the sound design often drowns out the dialogue, making it difficult to follow the admittedly thin plots of each segment. The performances are hit-or-miss; the GWAR crew are entertaining, and Alex Hsu gives it his all, but the ensemble cast of unknowns often struggles to sell the terror when the script gives them little to work with.

Pros

• The GWAR frame narrative is a chaotic, campy blast of energy that holds the anthology together.
• The sound design and soundtrack are aggressive and immersive, making the "music video" concept feel authentic.
• The practical effects and gore are satisfyingly over-the-top for fans of the franchise.
• A brisk 98-minute runtime ensures there is never a dull moment, even if the quality varies.

Cons

• The segments suffer from inconsistent quality, with "The Music of Mr. Sze" feeling particularly underbaked.
• The film prioritizes shock value and loud noises over genuine suspense or atmosphere.
• Excessive shaky-cam during musical sequences makes the film visually exhausting to watch.
• The characters are paper-thin, making it hard to care when the blood starts flowing.

"V/H/S/Mixtape" is a film that knows exactly what it is: a trashy, loud, and bloody good time for a specific subset of horror fans. It will not convert any skeptics, and it certainly will not win over critics looking for narrative cohesion. The disparity between the TMDb rating (3/10) and the IMDb rating (6.7/10) tells you everything you need to know - this is a divisive film. If you are here for the GWAR madness and the promise of cursed music videos, you will find enough to keep you entertained. But if you are looking for the next great horror masterpiece, you might want to fast-forward through this mixtape. It is a fun, forgettable riff on a familiar tune.