A Haunting Tale of VHS and the Unknown

Read Time:5 Minute, 14 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Video Barn
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Genre: Thriller
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 13m
Director(s): Bianca Poletti
Writer(s): Allison Goldfarb
Cast: Grace Van Dien, Reina Hardesty, Andrew Bering
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Stepping into a video store feels like stepping into another time—rows of worn VHS tapes, the hum of fluorescent lights, and the faint echoes of forgotten films. There’s an eerie charm to these relics of the past, a mix of nostalgia and quiet unease that makes them the perfect setting for horror. This film understands that atmosphere well, crafting a story that thrives on sentimentality and the fear of what lurks just out of sight. The film brings a sharp, striking take on old-school horror while exploring the unsettling relationship between media and reality.

From the moment it begins, it knows exactly what kind of experience it wants to deliver. The opening scene is a sensory hit—the revving of a chainsaw shreds through the quiet, punctuated by bloodcurdling screams. The camera snakes through the aisles of a dimly lit video store, past horror posters curling at the edges. The space is more than just a setting; it’s a character, living and almost breathing in its own right, a limbo between nostalgia and something far more sinister.

The story follows two high school students working the late shift at the store. Their friendship is built on a shared love of horror films. One is captivated by the brutality of a particular film, while the other finds something deeper, jokingly framing it as an unexpected social commentary. It’s a natural, lived-in conversation, the kind horror fans have had for decades. But as the two casually analyze the past, they have no idea they’re about to be pulled into a horror story of their own.

The store itself is on the verge of extinction, much like the VHS era it clings to. Business is sparse, with most customers renting outdated films and reminders of when physical media was king (despite what most people think, there is still a thriving world of physical media, just on disc now instead of VHS.) Among the relics of the past, there’s a quiet but pointed contrast between how horror has historically catered to a specific audience and how modern perspectives challenge those narratives.
Everything changes when one of the girls stumbles upon an unmarked VHS tape labeled only with the word “Lucida.” Something about it feels different like it shouldn’t exist. But curiosity wins, and as she presses play, reality seems to glitch. What should be a normal video experience becomes something more—a doorway, a trap, a force that refuses to be ignored. The warped visuals, distorted sound, and flickering images on the screen evoke the era of VHS, but with something more insidious beneath the static. It’s not just playing something back; it’s reaching out.

Visually, the film is a feast of tension and atmosphere. The neon glow of the store should feel warm, but instead, it casts long, unnatural shadows. The aisles stretch just a little too far, the television screens flicker too strangely, and the contrast between light and dark feels deliberately heightened. Every frame is composed with precision, ensuring that the unease isn’t just in the story but baked into the visuals. The cinematography finds beauty in the eerie, making every shot feel like a moment frozen in time—one that might shift if you look away.

This film's refusal to hold the audience’s hand makes it so effective. The Lucida tape remains an enigma. Where did it come from? What does it want? What happens to those who press play? No answers are given, and that’s precisely what makes it so unnerving. The unknown is a powerful tool in horror, and this film wields it perfectly, leaving just enough breadcrumbs for interpretation while never revealing too much. Some viewers will revel in the ambiguity, while others may crave a clearer resolution. Either way, it lingers.

Despite running just over twelve minutes, the film feels much deeper than it could be. There’s a whole world behind its story, filled with forgotten relics, unsettling coincidences, and whispers of something bigger lurking beneath the surface. Given the strength of its direction and its clear command of atmosphere, it’s easy to imagine this concept being extended into a feature film. There’s more to explore, more to unravel—more stories trapped inside the static.

This film is set to leave an impression on horror fans and casual audiences alike. It’s a sharp, self-aware take on horror nostalgia that doesn’t just reference the past but pulls it into the present, forcing it to haunt a new generation. The setting will feel eerily familiar for those who once spent hours wandering video store aisles. For those too young to remember VHS rentals, it offers something else entirely—the reminder that some things don’t fade away. They just wait to be found again.

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