The Unsettling Zoom Horror: Host

In under three months, Shudder will premiere its latest creation, Host, an innovative and terrifying Zoom-based horror film that has been shot remotely during quarantine. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Rob Savage, this groundbreaking film features impressive scares, stunts, and surprises, all captured by the actors in their own homes.

Host tells the story of a group of university friends who come together for a 45-minute Zoom call to catch up and have some fun while stuck at home during quarantine. As they laugh, joke, and share drinks, they decide to hold a séance to connect with spirits. However, things take a dark turn when one of them forgets to tell the others that taking the piss during the séance could have very grim consequences.

As the group experiences strange occurrences and unsettling events, they begin to realize that their Zoom call has become much more sinister than they ever imagined. With wifi connections dropping out and eerie atmospheres creeping in, Host wears its debt to classic found-footage horrors like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity on its sleeve while reworking the formula into a laptop-based horror with big jumps and relatable moments.

Major props go to director Rob Savage and his cobbled-together cast and crew for creating something so fresh and freaky despite the challenges of filming during lockdown. Until someone makes a film about a haunted sourdough starter, Host will remain the most zeitgeisty horror movie to emerge from lockdown.

Host is now streaming in the UK on Shudder, with a cinema release set for December 4th. If you're looking for a film that will scare you witless and teach you the ins and outs of video conferencing, look no further than Host, the ultimate Zoom horror experience.

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