Host

Host, directed by Rob Savage, is a relevant new take on the found footage horror genre that was filmed during the Corona Virus lockdown. Shot remotely entirely on the video meeting platform Zoom, it is the story of an online séance between isolated friends, that goes very, very wrong.

The film opens with a scene most of us are familiar with at this point: The Zoom meeting room. Whether it be for work, school, or to touch base with missed friends/family, many of us needed to learn how to Zoom over the past few months. The premise is instantly relatable, amusing and slightly bittersweet. One of the things I instantly loved about Host….is how real it felt. It is as though the audience is observing an authentic Zoom meeting, which, largely because of the way the film was shot, we are.

The actors, who all use their real names in the film (Blair Witch vibes), are very convincing and their relationships come off as natural and believable. Hayley, the titular Host, suggests an online séance for their most recent virtual meet up. Hayley has participated in a séance before, but she is the only one of the bunch.  She asks her friends to please be respectful during the process.  However, a recurring bit where everyone takes a drink whenever the term “astral plane” is mentioned (while funny), makes it clear that not everyone is taking it seriously.

In addition to Hayley, the group includes Jemma, an eye-rolling skeptic from the start. Radina, who is interested, but distracted by a turbulent lockdown situation with her new beau. Charismatic Teddy, enjoying quarantine with his new girlfriend at her parent’s lavish estate. Caroline, the most outwardly apprehensive of the séance, and finally Emma. Emma is also apprehensive but tries to make light of the situation by frequently imposing silly filters over her face to make everyone giggle. Something that becomes more sinister than funny as the film progresses.

The last person to join is the medium Seylan, who is going to be conducting the séance. She explains the procedure to the group, coming off as genuinely calm and earnest. Then, in a not so subtle bit of foreshadowing, she mentions things might be different during an online séance. She has never performed one before, but not to worry!  When a knocking is heard at the beginning of the ritual, everyone becomes unsettled.  The knocking turns out to be Seylan’s dinner delivery. Yet another nod to the culture we are all currently living in. The group falls into relieved, but shaken, laughter.

However, the light mood changes when Jemma makes up a story about feeling a presence. Out of boredom, she creates the story of Jack, a boy who hung himself while they were in school together years ago. Shortly after she reveals her hoax, things go downhill for the group very quickly. Evidently fabricating a false spirit during a séance is a big no-no.

What follows is an effective game of “waiting for the next jump scare”. Each participant is presented with their own spooky situation, while the others watch in increasingly horrified anticipation.  Communication with Seylan, the medium, is frequently interrupted, leaving the meeting participants feeling helpless against what is happening.

A polaroid camera, selfie stick, phone flashlights, and of course the laptop cameras are all used to provide the scares and progress the plot. Most of the scares really do work, and not all are of the jump variety.  However, as with many horror films, I found myself questioning the actions of the characters. Evidently one of them forgot how to work the lights in her apartment. As for another: how about you DON’T go investigate that scary banging sound in the attic? 

Host is a very fast-paced and enjoyable film that gets to the scares very quickly after an amusing, immersive and relatable opening. The fact that it was filmed remotely during lockdown is very impressive considering the high quality. The actors all deliver very believable performances as the group of friends whose lighthearted weekly meet-up quickly turns sinister. Host is definitely a worthwhile and creepy way to spend an hour. You may think twice about opening your laptop while alone late at night for a while after viewing though.