Superhost (2021) Review – A Fantastic Antagonist in a Formulaic Film
Superhost: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A tonally uneven but occasionally brilliant slasher that owes almost its entire success to a powerhouse performance by its lead antagonist. Superhost struggles with a pair of remarkably unlikable and flat protagonists whose boring vlogging sub-plot often drains the film of its momentum. Director Brandon Christensen fails to fully utilise the isolated woods setting to build genuine tension, resulting in a middle act that feels repetitive and devoid of scares. However, the introduction of Gracie Gillam’s Rebecca changes the dynamic entirely. Gillam provides a masterclass in “unhinged” acting, balancing bubbly enthusiasm with genuine menace in a way that recalls the best of Annie Wilkes. This 2.8 star effort may be formulaic and plagued by frustrating character decisions, but the final fifteen minutes are an absolute riot. It is worth watching purely to witness the birth of a potentially iconic new horror villain, even if the rest of the production feels somewhat amateurish. If you can tolerate the dull influencers, the superhost herself will make the stay worthwhile.
Details: Director: Brandon Christensen | Cast: Sara Canning, Osric Chau, Gracie Gillam, Barbara Crampton | Runtime: 1h 24m | Release Date: 2021
Best for: Fans of “crazy host” thrillers, viewers who enjoy character-driven slashers, and anyone looking for a standout breakout performance.
Worth noting: The film’s creator, Brandon Christensen, also directed Still/Born and Z, showing a consistent interest in psychological horror and domestic isolation.
Where to Watch: Shudder, Amazon🛒
Rating: 2.8/5 Stars
(A mediocre influencer horror saved by an incredible and disturbing performance from Gracie Gillam as the eccentric host.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are checking out Superhost from 2021.
Table of Contents
Influencer themed horror
This movie follows a social media travel influencer couple called Teddy (Osric Chau) and Claire (Sara Canning). Making their name by vlogging their stays at various holiday home rentals, the pair are losing viewers rapidly and need something more interesting to grab their audience. With this in mind, they spend a few nights at a highly sought-after location that just so happens to be owned by a crazily enthusiastic host. Eager to please, the pair seek to take advantage of their host’s quirky nature.
“Claire and Teddy are unlikable and dish water dull. In fact, they are two of the more boring protagonists I have seen in horror. Throw in Teddy’s overly saccharine sweetness and they are very hard to invest in.”
Superhost has a small twist towards the end of the movie. It also has a few details that could use some clearing up. We explain all of this and more in our Superhost Ending Explained article. Remember, Ending Explained articles are not spoiler free. This review is, so if you haven’t watched the movie, check out the review first.
Teddy and Claire are suffering a decline in viewership. When they arrive at their latest holiday hot spot, Claire sees an opportunity to take advantage of the quirky host, Rebecca. Not learning from a previous controversy, she digs herself deeper and deeper into a pit that the pair of them will struggle to get out of.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned characters are the first of Superhost‘s many problems. Claire and Teddy are unlikable and dish water dull. In fact, they are two of the more boring protagonists I have seen in horror. Throw in Teddy’s overly saccharine sweetness and they are very hard to invest in.
A lack of scares and tension
This is a film that is really lacking in suspense or tension. For the most part, we are following the mundane lives of two boring people. They notice unusual things here and there, they make the occasional vlog, they go for walks, they laugh at the quirky host, Rebecca. It’s all pretty dull stuff and ultra repetitive. Very little happens and you are left to question whether Superhost even wants to be a horror movie?
Many of the events takes place in the daytime. A secluded house in the middle of the woods seems like a fantastic setting. Despite this, Brandon Christensen never manages to do anything with it. Why did he not place our characters in the woods at night? Why was the massive house not utilised better to create tension? Could we not have done more with the constant surveillance the pair were under? The characters never feel particularly at risk and they aren’t vulnerable for the most part.
“The lack of tension and scares is a major disappointment. Superhost has a fairly compelling premise, but the potential for some seriously taught scene setting is never realised.”
The lack of tension and scares is a major disappointment. Superhost has a fairly compelling premise. For at least some of its length, it really has you guessing. Despite this, the potential for some seriously taught scene setting is never realised. Things only get worse as the movie hits its climax. Claire and Teddy are forced to make some ridiculous decisions just to offer some kind of threat. They run around like headless chickens, all before doing the one thing anyone in that situation wouldn’t do. It is very frustrating.
A fantastic antagonist and fun ending
If Superhost does nothing else right, it absolutely nails antagonist Rebecca. Played by Gracie Gillam, Rebecca is fantastic. She is an Annie Wilkes for the modern generation. It actually pains me that Superhost is such an average movie because Rebecca deserves to be in a much better film. Coming across, initially, as a somewhat quirky lady that is eager to please.
As the film goes on we learn more about our super host. Having, apparently, inherited her house from her late father, there seems to be more than meets the eye and Rebecca only reinforces that with her strange behaviour. Rebecca switches between eccentric, bubbly woman to a seemingly troubled and sad person in an instant, all while taking tremendous liberties with her guests.
Rebecca’s mix of positivity and slight oddness comes across in a hilarious manner. She is awkward but, seemingly, harmless and a lot of fun. Her intentions are a little misguided but she would hate to get a bad review for her holiday home. As the film goes on she just gets better and better. The final 15 minutes are an absolute riot. Despite being dragged down by a lack of suspense and our protagonists being idiots, it’s hard not to be thoroughly entertained.
A brilliant performance
Acting is okay. Sara Canning is fine as the bitchy, unlikable Claire. Osric Chau, as Teddy, is okay. He has a tendency to reuse the same facial expression repeatedly. His lost puppy dog expression, with the somewhat dominant Claire, gets quite annoying. He also uses the same “sad-boy” exhale a number of times. He does manage to emote well in a few scenes, though. Barbara Crampton is tons of fun as a disgruntled former host for the pair.
“This really is the Gracie Gillam show. Channeling her inner Kathy Bates, Gillam is a brilliant mix of ditsy, overly friendly woman and absolute psychopath. It’s a wonderful performance.”
This really is the Gracie Gillam show, though. She is absolutely fantastic as Rebecca. I loved every minute of her performance. Channeling her inner Kathy Bates (Annie Wilkes, Misery), Gillam is a brilliant mix of ditsy, overly friendly woman and absolute psychopath.
Scenes where she is being bubbly and jovial are, obviously, great. When tasked with showing emotion and acting legitimately strange, however, she is superb. The final 15 minutes or so are a great example of how to perform a crazy horror villain. It’s a wonderful performance. I would instantly sign up to future movies featuring Rebecca.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Gracie Gillam: An absolute tour-de-force performance that carries the entire movie. She is terrifying, funny, and utterly captivating as Rebecca.
- Barbara Crampton: Always a welcome addition to any horror project, she brings a fun sense of history and grit to her brief but memorable role.
- Energetic Finale: The final fifteen minutes finally deliver the carnage and pace the rest of the movie lacks, ending things on a high note.
The Bad
- Dull Protagonists: Teddy and Claire are so unlikable and uninteresting that it is difficult to fear for their safety or invest in their survival.
- Lack of Tension: The film relies on daytime sequences and repetitive vlog-style scenes that fail to create a sustainable atmosphere of dread.
- Frustrating Logic: The characters make several “typical horror movie” mistakes that feel forced just to move the plot toward its violent conclusion.
The Ugly: The “Influencer” Cliches. The film relies on very tired tropes regarding social media desperation that have been done better in several other recent horrors.
Should You Watch Superhost?
Yes, but only for Rebecca. It is a 2.8 star film that would likely be a 1 star bore without Gracie Gillam’s involvement. While the writing and pacing are decidedly average, her performance is so electric that it makes the whole experience worth it. Watch it to see a new horror icon in the making and then skip to Christensen’s Night of the Reaper for a more rounded experience.
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- Hostel (2005) review – Shallow, nasty, and surprisingly effective
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