I’d heard nothing but bad things going into V/H/S/Mixtape. My expectations were low. While I will agree it’s one of the worst in the series, the shorts range from ‘ok’ to some of the best ever been produced under the V/H/S label.

The ninth instalment of the franchise that began all the way back in 2012, Mixtape is exactly what its title suggests. This collection of found-footage horrors is spliced together like random tracks on a cassette tape. Hosted by the heavy metal band Gwar, the stories centre around music, sound and the horrors that inspire them.

Ok, right off the bat, the weakest element of Mixtape is the framing device. I’m not familiar with Gwar’s music, but I’ve seen snippets of their characters over the years and I can’t say I’m a fan of their humour.

Their segments feel like TV ad breaks, the kind you’d see on a Saturday morning kids’ channel with live presenters, only they’re aimed at immature 14-year-olds. Needless to say, if you love Gwar and their brand of comedy, you won’t have a problem seeing them in Mixtape.

There are two shorts in the film that I can’t say I’m fond of: Another Cabin and Premature Burial.

Another Cabin is an animated short that, while beautifully animated, has a bare-bones story with nothing to it but some creepy imagery.

Premature Burial is a heavy metal music video. I get why it’s in the film, you’d need a music video for a mixtape-themed horror anthology, but just like Another Cabin, it’s so short and bare-bones I personally could’ve done without it.

Now onto the good stuff. Mixtape has more good than bad I believe. Like I said, some of the shorts might be the best ever produced for the V/H/S brand.

One of the first shorts centres on a TV network trying to reboot an old children’s puppet show. It’s got gore, Barbara Crampton and some killer muppets. The found-footage framing feels unnecessary at times; the short could pass for an ordinary narrative feature in some shots. However, it’s got a good idea with an interesting mythology and a style of horror that’s clearly inspired by Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared.

The next short is simply incredible; two vloggers are exploring an old Soviet military base and get trapped in a soundproof room. This is the kind of room that’s so quiet the explorers can hear their own bloodstream. There’s no supernatural element whatsoever. It’s just a slow, agonising descent into madness. The performances are great, the found-footage framing makes sense and is effective. It’s the best short in my opinion and makes Mixtape well worth watching.

The last two shorts are fun; a first-year student investigates his reclusive neighbour, which has some Lovecraftian twists.

A young musician finishes her late father’s work by killing people and recording the sound of their deaths. This short is essentially a music-themed slasher with some great bloody kills. The makeup effects are on point.

I’m happy that another film is being developed because even the bad ones have a short or two worth seeing. The V/H/S franchise has proven to be a rich and fertile ground for experimental found-footage horror and upcoming talents. I am more than happy to tolerate a small blip like Mixtape for the series to continue.

I give V/H/S/Mixtape a complimentary 6 out of 10.