As Halloween approaches—a celebration we explore here in all its forms—it’s worth noting that virtual reality (VR) offers an exciting new way to tell stories. Often historical, cultural, or heritage-focused, VR also allows the expression of a wide range of emotions. So, why not try some (slightly) stronger sensations?
The Scream VR
Directed by Sandra Paugam & Charles Ayats
Where once the trend was to visit famous paintings, here is an experience that stands out by considering the artist and the context of the time. By delving into the details—like a volcanic explosion that influenced Edvard Munch’s iconic tones—The Scream VR makes a passionate case for the genre. VR with character!
Gloomy Eyes
Directed by Fernando Maldonado & Jorge Tereso
A tribute to the worlds of Tim Burton (or perhaps Henry Selick?), Gloomy Eyes is a romantic odyssey in a zombie land. Follow Gloomy’s journey through a series of miniatures and sequences that helped shape one of the early VR storytelling hits. A true love-at-first-sight experience!
Black Bag
Directed by Shao Qing
Imagine planning a bank heist while actually working at a bank—quite ironic! But transforming this idea into a 360-degree noir novel, a chase through the Chinese night, turns VR into an immersive medium for creating atmosphere and the tension of a thriller. Hypnotic and enveloping.
Madrid Noir
Directed by James Castillo
A vintage tribute to noir novels, where even the lead detective goes missing, Madrid Noir cleverly uses the genre’s conventions within an interactive VR experience. You play the niece of the missing detective, searching for clues. A “Clue”-style experience where animation reigns supreme.
Ayahuasca
Directed by Jan Kounen
Warning: this is a real experience in every sense. Through filmmaker Jan Kounen’s metaphysical journeys, induced by ayahuasca, a South American plant known for inducing trances, you’ll embark on a multi-dimensional journey. It’s likely one of VR’s finest demonstrations of visual exploration.
Jailbirds
Directed by Thomas Villepoux
Perfect for celebrating the supernatural, this adaptation of a short story from Fluide Glacial magazine takes you to a haunted prison world in three chapters. The hero, and perhaps even the prison director, might have some hidden talents… Masterfully crafted in 3D.
Our Fantasy Worlds
Directed by Agnès Molia & Delphine Legoueff
This VR film can be viewed as a cinematic odyssey, taking you through worlds inspired by Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and more. Follow the hero as they face mythical monsters, transporting you from deep seas to towering castles with action-packed sequences.
BattleScar
Directed by Martin Allais & Nico Casavecchia
A noir, urban, and musical journey, BattleScar, narrated by Rosario Dawson, is a pop gem that takes you to the gritty streets of 1970s New York. Bursting with creativity, it offers a dense narrative with many twists—set to punk music, of course.
Recoding Entropia
Directed by François Vautier
François Vautier’s universe is inherently diverse, ranging from Battlefield to Odyssey 1.4.9, often mixing sci-fi and fantasy genres. Recoding Entropia is a beautiful example, placing you in deep space with a continuously transforming floating vessel, offering a front-row seat to a cosmic opera.
An Obituary
Directed by Jean Yoon
A bit more mystery here… Arriving in a remote village, guided by mysterious messages (SMS), you have to decide: will you be the story’s victim? A riddle-filled tale that leaves no one behind.
Also Featured…
- Dinner Party by Ángel Manuel Soto
- The Roaming by Mathieu Pradat
- Wolves In The Walls by Pete Billington
- Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens by Félix Lajeunesse & Paul Raphaël
- Monstrorama by Emilie Valentin & Clément Deneux
- Body/Mind/Change by J. Lee Williams