Host (2020) Review – The Ultimate Pandemic-Era Screenlife Horror
Host: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A lean, terrifying, and masterfully executed triumph of independent filmmaking. Host succeeds not just as a “gimmick” movie born from the constraints of 2020, but as a genuine high-water mark for the screenlife sub-genre. At a punchy 57 minutes, Rob Savage ensures there is not an ounce of fat on the narrative, utilizing the familiar interface of a Zoom call to create an innovative and multi-layered sense of dread. The performances are remarkably naturalistic, and the technical ingenuity required to pull off practical stunts and scares remotely is nothing short of incredible. While it relies on traditional jump-scare mechanics, the execution is so precise and the atmosphere so oppressive that it feels entirely fresh. It is a 4.0 star experience that proves creativity can thrive under even the most restrictive circumstances. If you have a Shudder subscription and an hour to spare, Host is essential viewing that will leave you nervously checking your own background during your next video meeting.
Details: Director: Rob Savage | Cast: Hayley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb, Caroline Ward, Radina Drandova | Runtime: 57m | Release Date: 2020
Best for: Fans of found footage and screenlife horror, and anyone looking for a high-intensity, short-form horror experience that delivers maximum impact.
Worth noting: The film holds a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and was famously conducted with the director and actors in entirely separate locations, with the cast handling their own practical effects.
Where to Watch: Shudder, Amazon🛒
Rating: 4.0/5 Stars
(A masterfully paced and technically brilliant horror that makes the absolute most of its screenlife format.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are reviewing Shudder Original screenlife horror movie Host from 2020.
Highlights
The best screenlife horror?
Directed by Rob Savage, this British made computer screen horror was filmed in 2020 with no budget and minimal crew. This was all done as the world was under lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. That’s incredibly impressive, especially given the quality of this film.
“TThis was all done as the world was under lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. That’s incredibly impressive, especially given the quality of this film.”
Host follows the story of a group of friends chatting on Zoom. A group of friends have decided to take part in an online séance. They chat for a little among themselves before being joined by a medium called Seylan. Seylan instructs them to follow her instructions. She wants them to visualise someone they wish to talk to. When one of the girls, Jemma, suddenly claims to receive a message from a dead friend, things start to take a drastic turn for the worse.
So you know what the deal is, here. Retro scripting, improvisation, many character interactions, and actors doing their own stunts. Sounds a bit cheap? Sounds a bit naff? You would be completely wrong. This is an excellent horror movie that is both effective and compelling. Clocking in at only 57 minutes, this might be one of the most tightly paced horror movies of the modern era.
Authentic character interactions
Character interactions are key to this movie and they all feel authentic and genuine. Host actually manages to make you feel as though you are watching friends interact. Perfectly capturing the awkwardness and slightly cheesy nature of video chats.
“Host actually manages to make you feel as though you are watching friends interact. It perfectly captures the awkwardness and slightly cheesy nature of video chats.”
The group of friends sit around lighting candles and thoroughly engaging with the online silliness. Some think it’s stupid, others take it a bit more seriously. Host manages that all too rare task of feeling both traditional and rather modern. When things start to go wrong, the varying reactions of the group help to push the story along.
A “boy who cried wolf” situation takes place early in the movie, leading members of the group to be somewhat un-trusting when things go wrong. This pays massive dividends later on as the friends simply can’t believe the horrifying things they are seeing. The majority of the horror moments here are of the jump scare variety. Using tried and tested tropes seen in movies like Paranormal Activity and the like. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before but it is done extremely well.
The nature of the Zoom call actually ends up being a big plus for the horror element. Savage rarely places the focus on to a single character. Instead opting to indulge the viewer in several screens at once which forces you to keep track of several points of focus. It’s the classic gallery view that exploits the natural surveillance instinct of humans. You don’t know where to look which heightens your anxiety.
Knocking sounds hail from ambiguous sources only add to that. You are never quite sure of which character is experiencing which events. It keeps you continuously off base and nervously checking each screen. Awesome stuff and super innovative given the format.
Fantastic performances
Performances in Host absolutely bear mention because everyone is utterly fantastic. Tasked with setting up their own scenes, including camera work and lighting. The cast here deserves plenty of praise for the work they put in. Each character manages to establish a setting that feels unique to them, keeping the picture fresh and offering different opportunities for scares.
“Tasked with setting up their own scenes, including camera work and lighting, the cast deserves plenty of praise. Each establishment feels unique, offering different opportunities for scares.”
Each character basically plays themself in as much as they use their own names. Hayley Bishop has some decent moments of drama. Having something of a quick temper and an intolerance for the other girl’s mockery. She is quick to share her frustrations with the group leading to some tense moments.
Jemma Moore is a laugh riot acting as the class clown of the group. She has some genuinely funny moments that add some levity to the movie. She cracked me up at a number of points. Emma Webb has some strong moments of dramatic acting, playing a dramatic role rather reminiscent of Heather in The Blair Witch Project. She does a great job of reflecting the gravity of the situation towards the end.
The performance that stood out the most, for me, was that of Caroline Ward. It’s an understated performance as her character is rather quiet compared to the other girls but she feels like the most genuine of the entire group. Her utter fear and panic at the events taking place stands out for just how real it is. She does an amazing job. The subtleties of her performance are what makes it. She bites her fingers and sobs neurotically, almost pleading for relief from what is happening. I loved it. All of these women are fantastic, though. It’s a great job all around.
Hard to criticise
I don’t have many nitpicks of this movie and anything I could say would feel rather petty. What was achieved here was nothing short of incredible. I will say that the formula isn’t new, it has been done before, but rarely this well. It’s not going to appeal to everyone and some of the hyperbole surrounding the movie might raise people’s expectations to an unrealistic level.
Some may find the group’s interactions to be annoying. Much like Unfriended, I can’t imagine too many people’s idea of fun is spending time with a bunch of annoying students but you can, honestly, shove that because these girls are great. I’d crack a bottle of wine with them any day. The addition of Teddy feels like a misstep as he doesn’t bring much to the film. I don’t think the movie was crying out for a “wide boy” personality. Still, these are nitpicks, I can’t find anything significant to fault.
Host is a remarkable achievement given the context. How did you spend 2020? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you manage to knock out some DIY? Or did you simply write it off as a lost period in your life? Something that you will think about for the next 20 years, look back on and lament the things you sacrificed. Well, some people spent it making some of the best indie horror movies in a very long time. Awesome!
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Lean Pacing: At under an hour, the film is incredibly tight and avoids the “padding” issues that plague many other found footage films.
- Technical Ingenuity: The fact that the cast handled their own lighting, stunts, and practical effects under remote direction is an amazing feat.
- Naturalistic Acting: The chemistry between the group feels entirely genuine, making the descent into terror much more impactful for the viewer.
The Bad
- Familiar Tropes: Strip away the Zoom format and the scares themselves are largely things you’ve seen before in Paranormal Activity.
- Limited Re-watch Value: Part of the power of Host is the initial surprise of its technical execution, which can diminish slightly on second viewing.
- The “Teddy” Character: His inclusion feels a little unnecessary and doesn’t add much to the otherwise strong group dynamic.
The Ugly: The Zoom Background Scare. A simple, modern tech feature is used to create a moment of dread that will haunt anyone who has ever used a custom filter in a meeting.
Should You Watch Host?
Absolutely. It is a 4.2 star horror that stands as one of the most significant and effective films of the decade. It is a masterclass in how to turn limitations into strengths. Whether you are a fan of screenlife or not, the sheer quality and intensity of *Host* make it a must-watch. Just make sure you aren’t home alone when you press join on this meeting.
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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