Shudder has officially greenlit the ninth installment of its foundational found-footage franchise, steering the series into noise-drenched territory. V/H/S/MIXTAPE is scheduled to premiere exclusively on the horror streaming platform this October.
It centers its narrative framework around the sinister influence of music, rhythm, and auditory obsession. The upcoming anthology aims to weaponize sound across a chaotic blend of cosmic dread, psychological mind games, visual splatter, and practical effects.
The promotional campaign kicked off alongside a brand-new official poster bearing the tagline “Low Fidelity, High Bodycount,” setting the stage for an October release during the height of the Halloween season.
Cinematic Titans and Puppet Horror
The directorial lineup for V/H/S/MIXTAPE features a diverse group of filmmakers tackling original individual segments. Veteran horror director Ernest Dickerson helms The Music of Mr. Sze, which follows a college film student whose documentary project uncovers the reclusive, troubled life of a tormented musician. French filmmaker David Moreau directs Heartbeat, focusing on two urban-exploration influencers who become trapped inside a decommissioned military facility historically used for extreme sonic experimentation.
Artist and director RZA delivers Death Tone. It follows a young sound engineer who tries to follow her late father’s final instructions to craft an ultimate audio track. Director Renee Zhan rounds out the narrative shorts with Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance, a segment centered on a television studio attempting to reboot a long-canceled children’s puppet show with a dark past. Zhan’s segment prominently features custom puppet fabrications created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Concept Albums and Metal Icons
Rather than using a traditional framing narrative, V/H/S/MIXTAPE structures its transition segments as a chaotic, MTV-inspired television broadcast hosted by shock-metal legends GWAR. Serving as the tissue between the narrative shorts, the overarching wrap framework will feature original music videos and surreal visual skits.
Musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus contributes original music video interludes to weave through the madness. At the same time, Ghost frontman Tobias Forge makes his official directorial debut with an original music video created specifically for the project.
Behind the Scenes and Franchise
V/H/S/MIXTAPE is produced by long-time franchise anchors Josh Goldbloom, Steven Schneider, Roy Lee, Michael Schreiber, and Brad Miska. Ben Ross and Rami Yassin serve as executive producers.
By merging physical monster effects with heavy-metal aesthetics and experimental audio design, the ninth entry stands as a distinct, music-focused evolution of the long-running found-footage series.
The Segments
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
Directed by Renee Zhan
A studio attempts to reboot a long-canceled puppet show with a mysterious past. Featuring work from Jim HHenson’sCreature Shop.
HEARTBEAT
Directed by David Moreau
A pair of YouTube urbex influencers find themselves trapped in a decommissioned military facility used for sonic experimentation.
THE MUSIC OF MR. SZE
Directed by Ernest Dickerson
A college film student’s documentary project uncovers the reclusive life of a tormented musician.
DEATH TONE
Directed by RZA
A young sound engineer follows her late dad’s instructions to create the ultimate track.
Wrap Segment
GWAR hosts skits and music videos in an MTV-style show from hell.
It also features music videos directed by Tobias Forge and Flying Lotus.
So, get ready for a film like no other, one designed for both vision and hearing. V/H/S/Mixtape hits Shudder on October 9. But wait, there’s more. The franchise is far from over. In fact, the next installment has already been announced as V/H/S/SCP! It will explore the online community’s obsession with the fictionary SCP Foundation. Learn more here.
