“Host” of Horrors

Since lockdown started, everyone has gotten pretty comfortable with using Zoom, the trusty video chat platform that allows you to stay connected with friends and family at a distance. But what happens when a faulty internet connection isn’t the only problem on the Zoom call? In Rob Savage’s new film “Host,” demonic presences become the problem. With this relevant and traumatizing new horror movie, “Host” really gets viewers on their toes and stays in their minds long after the credits roll. 

The story takes place smack dab in the middle of quarantine. We follow a group of six friends as they attempt to do a séance over Zoom. What could possibly go wrong? They begin the séance with one rule–“don’t disrespect the spirits”–and like in any good horror movie, what do they do? Disrespect the spirits. With its short run time of 56 minutes, “Host” is a fast-paced film that has no absence of scares.  

Part of what makes this movie ahead of its time is the fact that it is real, raw footage. There is no background music, and there are no fancy cameras. The whole thing is filmed through Zoom. They do a good job of creating a realistic and relatable group of friends that anyone could picture hanging out with. The film starts off slow and really builds up the characters and their personalities, making viewers feel closer to the group and comfortable. This really increases the viewers’ trust and makes them feel safe, but, as we all know, that doesn’t usually last very long in horror movies. 

We watched the movie on Halloween night, and we can promise you it still lives in our minds, rent free. We personally feel like they set up the film perfectly. We went into it thinking it can’t be that bad, it’s just a Zoom call. How bad could that be? But oh boy were we wrong. In between the screaming and cowering behind our blankets, we were able to really appreciate the time it must have taken to complete this film. With the incredible actors, CGI, and special effects, this motion picture is really a star in its own right. 

It has been deemed one of the scariest horror movies of 2020 and rightfully so. Although it is quite different from your average scary film, it will definitely leave horror movie enthusiasts happily satisfied.