Nerdly » HorRHIFFic 2025: ‘Video Shop Tales of Terror 2: Lust & Revenge’ Review

01st Mar2025

HorRHIFFic 2025: ‘Video Shop Tales of Terror 2: Lust & Revenge’ Review

by Phil Wheat

Stars: Amber Doig-Thorne, Laurence R. Harvey, Dani Thompson, Ayvianna Snow, Simon Bamford, David Gelmini, Charlie Bond, Annabella Rich, Rami Hilmi, Sarah Rorbach, James Hamer-Morton | Directed by Angie Darling Baby, Alexander Churchyard, Paul Doherty, Andrew Elias, Bazz Hancher, Jason Impey, Debbie Lant, Tony Mardon, Hannah Paterson, Richard Rowntree, James Saxon, Teddy Saxon

As a fan of the first entry into this now-turned franchise, I was eager to finally get the chance to see the sequel, Video Shop Tales of Terror 2: Lust & Revenge. Like the first film, this second entry into the series promised a return to the nostalgic charm of retro VHS horror – delivering both scores and laughs, just like the first film, and it certainly delivered on both front.

The film comprises multiple segments, each offering a unique blend of terror and dark humour. Video Shop Tales of Terror 2: Lust & Revenge opens with a trailer for “The Beast of No-Mans Land” and a fantastic spoof of the Amityville series – which, if you know low-budget horror in any way, has now been co-opted by indie filmmakers left and right, leading to films like Amityville Karen, Amityville in Space, Amityville Bigfoot and even Amityville Death Toilet... and yes, I’m not making any of those titles up, they are ALL real films!

The film begins proper with the wrap-around story, Video Dungeon II, directed by Alex Churchyard, which serves as the connective tissue, inviting viewers back into the eerie world of the video shop with a Tales From the Crypt style intro by actress Dani Thompson (including a great joke about signing the wrong contracts). Churchyard’s passion for world-building is evident, as he expands upon the lore established in the first instalment, creating a richer and more immersive experience.

One standout segment is Invasion of Studio 69, co-directed by Tony Mardon and Churchyard. This story masterfully blends elements of The Twilight Zone (with Laurence R. Harvey brilliantly playing the Rod Serling role) with the 1970s adult film industry, resulting in a bizarre and captivating narrative. The collaboration between Mardon, Churchyard, and writer Lauren Jane Barnett is seamless, producing a segment that’s both visually striking and thematically intriguing.

Another memorable entry is The Gory Hole, directed by Richard Rowntree. This short delves into the perils of curiosity and desire, presenting a morality tale that’s both darkly comedic and unsettling. Rowntree’s ability to evoke strong reactions from the audience is commendable, making this segment linger in the mind long after viewing.

Across the board, the makeup, special effects, practical effects and cinematography are spot on. When you consider the budgets these filmmakers were working with you can clearly see the effort everyone has put in, both in front of and behind the camera – really nailing the aesthetic, vibe, and the tongue-in-cheek (I always think of it as Troma-esque) mentality, and sheer FUN, of what everyone was aiming for!

Overall, Video Shop Tales of Terror 2: Lust & Revenge is a testament to the creativity and dedication of indie filmmakers, most of whom are among the best writers and directors in the low-budget UK horror scene today, along with UK horror stalwarts like Amber Doig-Thorne, Laurence R. Harvey, Dani Thompson, Charlie Bond, Annabella Rich and James Hamer-Morton. Each segment offers a distinct voice and vision, contributing to a cohesive yet varied horror experience that not only builds on the original film but improves on it too – hopefully, the improvements continue as this series progresses… thankfully, the third film is already in pre-production according to Alexander Churchyard’s IMDb page!

For fans of the VHS era, low-budget horror films sold on cover art alone, and the likes of Troma et al., Video Shop Tales of Terror 2: Lust & Revenge is a must-watch, delivering both chills and chuckles in equal measure. And you don’t have to have seen the first film to enjoy this one – though if you have, you’ll get a kick out of how this one builds on the original!