Who would have thought that in the age of streaming and digital downloads, we'd be dusting off our old VCRs and scouring thrift stores for those archaic VHS tapes? But the horror community is bringing back this archaic technology and making it cool again.
Sure, part of it is the nostalgia factor. There's just something special about re-living the glory days of renting movies from the creepy video store guy or curating our own personal collections. But it's not just about the feels, it's also about the unique aesthetic that VHS tapes offer.
You see, VHS tapes were notorious for their pixelated picture and scratchy sound quality, which gave many horror movies a deliciously gritty, authentic feel. This has become known as the "VHS horror" aesthetic and has gained a cult following of horror buffs who appreciate the rough edges of these tapes.
But it's not just about the aesthetic, it's also about access. Many horror movies from the 80s and 90s were only released on VHS and have never been remastered for DVD or Blu-ray. So, for collectors and fans of these films, finding a VHS tape is like finding a needle in a haystack (or more accurately, a needle in a pile of old, mouldy VHS tapes).
And thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever to connect with other VHS-obsessed weirdos and trade tapes like trading cards. Online communities and social media have helped fuel the VHS horror craze, allowing fans to share their collections and discuss their favourite movies with a group of people who won't judge them for still owning a VCR.
Of course, there are some challenges to this retro trend. Finding a functioning VCR can be difficult (since most of us ditched them for DVD players or, let's be real, just started illegally streaming everything). And VHS tapes are prone to degrading over time, which is just a fancy way of saying they get all gross and fuzzy. But despite these obstacles, the popularity of horror VHS tapes shows no sign of slowing down. After all, there's just something special about popping in a tape, praying to the VHS gods that it doesn't get stuck, and watching it on an old-fashioned TV. Plus, it's a great way to impress that special someone with your impressive collection of obscure horror movies from the 80s. You're welcome.
