When an old VCR mysteriously shows up at digitizing facility Video Vision, Kibby (Andrea Figliomeni) starts to be affected by it. She’s also in love with a trans man named Gator (Chrystal Peterson) who brought in old VHS tapes of her father’s band destroying computers. But in spite of this new relationship, her body is changing in supernatural and dangerous ways because of this smelly ancient VHS. That’s because Kibby has unlocked the dark dimension of Dr. Analog.

Directed and written by Michael Turney — who played Danny Pennington in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — this movie has characters to fall in love with, like Video Vision owner Rodney (Shelley Valfer), as well as Kibby and Gator. Their relationship feels authentic and there’s an intriguing hook about the way that we move from format to format in the same way that people can transform their bodies based on their true sexuality. In the same way that people wonder why those spend money on physical media when streaming exists, Kibby wonders if she can be with someone whose genitals may not match her needs. She’s lucky that Gator is understanding and patient. And that’s before she starts transforming herself into some analog video cassette monster. Or, as Gator says, “I’ve accepted that I’m male, maybe you should accept the fact that you’re turning into an obsolete entertainment device, all I know is that you’re making my dysmorphia feel normal.”

The social commentary may be a bit ham fisted and look, there’s no way that this is going to make everyone happy. A science fiction film is not the best way to navigate trans relationships or how we see them. Is the movie entertaining? Sure. And as a CIS male, I have no idea how off it is or if I should be offended. More clued in people will tell me that. I liked the ideas in this and isn’t it strange that all these years after Videodrome, we’re still hailing the new flesh?

I watched Video Vision at Pigeon Share FrightFest. It’s the UK’s best, brightest, and largest independent international thriller, fantasy, and horror film festival and has three major events each year in London and Glasgow. Learn more at the official site.