HOST (2020)

Directed By: Rob Savage 
Written By: Rob Savage, Gemma Hurley & Jed Shepherd 
Editor: Brenna Rangott 

Cast: Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova, Caroline Ward, Alan Emrys 


Six friends hire a medium to hold a seance via Zoom during the lockdown, but they get far more than they bargained for as things quickly go wrong. When an evil spirit starts invading their homes, they begin to realize they might not survive the night. What it might lack In originality it makes up for In Inventiveness and chills.

It catches you by surprise as you didn’t expect much and the movie knows that takes it and runs with it and Impresses the audience without making it loom like it is barely making a sweat.

This is what filmmaking is supposed to be about a general sense of wonder and fun as well as discipline and being. At least the strings and work put into.

What is interesting is that the making of is just as Exciting as what is happening on the screen, Like an amusement park ride, you are ready for certain. Actions and can’t wait while you see the setup but then As it goes along it actually angers to affect you even though you believe you know what is going to happen and by the end you are fearful yet it feels like fun.

This film actually manages to scare you and not through cheap theatrics ok, Maybe a little bit also through General mood and atmosphere. This is definitely not a film to watch alone in the dark and especially not to watch it on a computer or smartphone.

The film was filmed in quarantine which it references and makes the whole experience much more impressive. As it leaves you just as interested in how it was made As what you are seeing.

As not only do you have to film the movie but have to have to Direct the cast remotely and have them do some of the effects themselves and instruct them on that. Which gives the film a kind of BLAIR WITCH PROJECT vibe. Only this might be preferred as it doesn’t wear out it’s Welcome as fast. This film is just under an hour long.

It might also remind some audience members of the UNFRIENDED films. Only this doesn’t come off as glossy or seem as dependent on technology and the fact it’s being filmed mostly on home computers. As this seems more a result of conditions rather than the original premise. It just happens to work in the film's favor.

As always the film leaves us with the message to never mess around with spirits and it’s a premise where the character knows better but having just one mistake leads to the downfall of everyone. Out of disrespect really.

The films goes so far In close claustrophobic settings and still manages to feel bigger then it is and a bit glossy. Managing to do a lot with what looks like so little.

That the film comes off a bit like JAWS where some of the best creativity can sometimes come under limited resources. The characters come off as goofy and believable lie real friends rather than just types. We get to know a bit about them And their personalities. --The film definitely makes it’s presence felt.

Grade: B+