V/H/S/85 director Mike P. Nelson shared his unique way of splitting the story into two parts, keeping spoilers under wraps.
Scheduled for an exclusive premiere on Shudder on October 6, 2023, V/H/S/85 marks a departure for Nelson, who is no stranger to infusing horror undertones. In this installment, he takes on the segment No Wake, pushing the boundaries of traditional horror storytelling.
In an interview with Bloody Disgusting, Nelson discussed his approach, “This was a discussion when I was able to pitch to the team. I asked, ‘Is it possible to do something like that?’ They were very receptive, you know what I mean? I was like, ‘Because I’d love for this to be on a lake, and I’d love for this to almost feel like its own segment.’ But it’s very, very much the same story. That was really fun. Being able to explore sort of a fun payoff like that was challenging, but it was fun to match those pieces together.”
Nelson decided to steer clear of the neon ’80s aesthetic, which has become a staple in recent ’80s-themed horror films. This move was met with applause from some quarters, but it also raised eyebrows among those who expected a more familiar visual style.
“I remember speaking with [producer] Josh Goldbloom and Josh saying, ‘Yeah, so we’re doing ’85, and we’re trying not to do the typical kind of clean, neon thing.’” Nelson recalls. “And I was like, ‘Oh, for the love of God, thank you.”
In the film, he explores the stories of people affected by gun violence and a girl trapped in a harmful tradition. The choices made by these characters might surprise you and make the movie more interesting. As the release date approaches, One thing is certain – Nelson’s V/H/S/85 has already made a mark in the world of horror cinema.
