The Host
The Host

Movie spotlight

The Host

2020
Movie
102 min
English

A chance opportunity arises for Robert Atkinson, a London banker who risks his bank's money to leave the mundane behind and start a new life. To take advantage, he unwittingly signs up with a Chinese cartel to transport a briefcase to Amsterdam. But all is not as it seems in a city veiled by dark secrets. Fuelled by power players, drugs, seduction and violence, Robert awaits his turn in a deadly game of choice and consequence.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes84%
Metacritic66/100
Google Users66%
Director: Rob SavageGenres: Horror, Thriller, Supernatural

Plot Summary

During a lockdown video call, a group of friends decides to spice up their hangout with a seance. Things take a terrifying turn when a malevolent spirit begins to crash their party, turning their virtual get-together into a fight for survival. The spirit escalates its attacks, manipulating their environment and preying on their fears.

Critical Reception

The Host received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative use of the found-footage/Zoom-call format to create a genuinely terrifying and claustrophobic horror experience. Critics lauded its effective scares, practical effects achieved within the limitations of its concept, and the strong performances from its cast, all coming together to create a timely and effective pandemic-era horror film.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its inventive and effective use of the Zoom format to generate scares.

  • Lauded for its claustrophobic atmosphere and timely relevance.

  • Noted for its strong performances and practical effects despite its confined setting.

Google audience: Audiences generally found 'The Host' to be a thrilling and scary experience, appreciating its ability to deliver genuine frights through a familiar modern interface. Many highlighted how the film successfully leveraged the limitations of its production to create a sense of dread and isolation, making it a standout horror film for its unique approach.

Fun Fact

The entire film was shot remotely during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with director Rob Savage communicating with the actors via Zoom and guiding them through the filming process on their own devices.

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