But be prepared for some exposition lamely trying to make us believe what’s happening. Sure, the plot is supposed to be secondary–the appeal is the format and the scares. The biggest weakness of Host is the plot. There is always the feeling that something is lurking behind you.īecause of the format, there aren’t too many opportunities for good camera work, and when the camera does become mobile, it’s hard not to think “who would pick up their laptop, in the middle of a nightmare situation, and carry it backwards down a hallway?” They get away with it, but for those paying attention it certainly threatens to break the otherwise carefully crafted immersion. It creates a bunch of portals full of horror potential that really messes with you.

How many times has a character in a horror film seen something in the mirror, turned around, and it’s gone. Yet, at the same time, everyone can see what’s behind them because of the screen acting as a mirror. All participants in the Zoom call are facing their screens their backs are to the action. Realism may not be the right word, but the horror is certainly enthralling.Ĭreating vulnerability is vital (think shower curtains), and Host capitalizes on the Zoom format.

This results in an added and nuanced scare factor.

They all play their parts casually, in that watching makes the viewer really feel like they’re in a Zoom call with these people.

The Zoom format puts a lot of weight on the actors. The new format brings strengths to horror even if the premise doesn’t go further than a digitized Ouija board. When a group of friends meet up on Zoom for a seance, things go exactly as you’d expect.

Horror movie zoom call