Pandemic Be Damned As "Host" Delivers Top Notch Thrills Over Zoom
10/12 ForReel Score | 4/5 Stars
Nobody needs to be reminded that we are in “unprecedented times” thanks to the global pandemic of COVID-19. It was only a matter of time before the all-too-familiar protocol of quarantining, mask wearing, and social distancing made its way into new stories for movies. Host takes this new lifestyle most of us have become accustomed to and adds a demonic component that makes this Zoom hangout the most thrilling there has ever been.
In Host, a group of six friends tune in for a Zoom call during the pandemic quarantine to experience the paranormal. They enlist medium to conduct the seance over the video call, and despite stern instruction from the event’s organizer, Haley, to take the matter seriously, the opening moments are riddled with jokes, drinking games, and distractions. When one of the friends, Jemma, takes the shenanigans too far, something evil is accidentally summoned and begins terrorizing everyone involved on the call.
Though screen life movies aren’t unprecedented at this point - the Unfriended franchise probably being the most notable example - what is extraordinary with Host is the production effort. Director Rob Savage has gotten the jump on pandemic-era storytelling in a tasteful manner, focusing more on the demonic terror at hand rather than the circumstances of the pandemic. Furthermore, the complexities of filming under lockdown restrictions are practically imperceptible.
But what I appreciated most about this film is by and large, the thrills are done right. Jump scares are scattered lavishly throughout the second half of Host’s 56 minute runtime. But they work so well because the jump scares are complimented by immense accumulations of suspense. I was also thoroughly impressed with how the film is paced, accommodating better quality entertainment in an hour than many longer, bigger budgeted, less restricted typically do.
Host might seem like a small and inconsequential film, but it commands my highest level of respect for spearheading pandemic-era storytelling in this unique way. It’s lean journey through paranormal activity via the internet. For horror fans, there’s no better way to stay entertained during these unprecedented times.
Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1 | Reviewer's Preference - 2 | What does this mean?
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