Host

A quarantine videocall treat for lovers of paranormal scares. Host is the shortest and best movie of its kind. And not only because of its off-screen haunting, but also because it leans hard into intense killing. This is the kind of horror delicacy for which I’ve always had a weakness. (10/11/2020)

A horror film shot in lockdown during the coronavirus crisis, more or less for little money, but it makes the absolute most of it. I think The Host is today what The Blair Witch Project might have been 21 years ago. The film is around 50 minutes long and is about six friends who decide to perform séances through Zoom in the evening. I don’t think the Found Footage form will suit everyone, it will put some off from the start, but those who stay are in for an intense and scary ride that actually doesn't let the viewer breathe a sigh of relief. By being so short, the film skips the mandatory boring 40 minute segment about getting to know a group of people and gets straight to the point, and the atmosphere is so thick that somewhere in the middle I had to go for a smoke. I haven't had this much discomfort from a horror film in a long time or maybe ever before. The scares are effective and the fear comes in spades every now and then. The actresses give decent performances and I was very affected. You'd think that with 1565 horror films under my belt, I'd never be scared again. Host doesn't even count as a movie (acting, story, I don't care about the twist), because this could easily happen. Hats off to this one. A clear contender for Horror Movie of the Year and best Found Footage ever. Story**, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence***, Entertainment****, Music****, Visuals***, Atmosphere*****, Suspense*****. 8.5/10. (08/18/2020)

Host was created during the coronavirus pandemic, so this low-budget quarantine film is very timely. The actors are unknown, everything takes place only on a computer screen through a Zoom video conference, and the story revolves around ghost summoning. When you read it this way, it sounds like something that could turn out to be a massive flop, but the opposite is true. The film doesn’t waste time with anything and throws you straight into the action; don’t expect any character introductions, as there wouldn’t be room for them considering the film’s length. Otherwise, it offers a few scenes that will make your heart skip a beat, and the authors managed to capture the overall atmosphere of fear among all the characters very well. It’s not an Oscar contender, but it will find its fans, and if I ever find the time, I’ll watch it again. I give it 70%. (08/24/2020)