![]() The timer in the corner, ticking down until the call is forced to end, adds tension. In fact, the only scene that is drawn out is the final one, but it doesn’t feel tedious. Add in the time limit on Zoom calls, and there’s your sense of urgency that is often shed with conventional film. Then we see typical Zoom annoyances, like lagging, freezing, noise feedback, background distractions (mostly in the form of Teddy’s and Radina’s partners), and obnoxious filters. In terms of tropes, we get fake-out scares, jump scares, interpersonal drama, naivete, etc. Host combines tried-and-true tropes with modernity to great success. A horror movie incorporating technology is nothing new, but a horror movie firmly planted in our disconnected, digital pandemic world is innovative. ![]() Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of Host is the premise itself. ![]() While none of the characters stand out, they still work cohesively to portray the horrific situation. We get the one who takes it all seriously, perhaps to a fault (Haley), the one who doesn’t take the seance seriously at all and possibly instigates the whole conflict (Jemma), the gruff man who proves useless (Teddy), the wise spiritual expert who is also useless (Seylan), the innocent one (Emma), and the rest. Instead of trying to shove in backstory and growth, the writers embrace the audience’s expectations of stock characters. Such a short runtime doesn’t allow for much character development. But when they do start, oh boy, they just keep going. The story and scares don’t pick up until roughly halfway through the film. There are also a few fake-outs, such as a knocking that is not from the astral plane but instead from a delivery person. A couple hints are shown of what is to come, but overall, the beginning is a bit tiresome. We have about ten minutes of exposition, which is a decent chunk of time for a screenplay that doesn’t even last a full hour. Why should a spirit be barred from contacting us just because we’re connected online? Evidently, there is no reason. Set during the COVID pandemic, a group of friends decide to have a seance over Zoom. Speaking of which, this is one of the reasons you should buy the DVD or Blu-ray because the special features are awesome including details being a decapitation.Host (2020) is a delightfully modern take on the seance film. Seance not only delivered several jump-scares, but it also didn’t hold back from the good stuff either: blood, gore, or gruesome kills. Photo courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder.I didn’t expect to see many bloody or gory scenes, but oh boy was I wrong and pleasantly surprised. Ella-Rae Smith as Helina and Suki Waterhouse as Camille in the horror SEANCE, an RLJE Films and Shudder release. I think we can continue to expect phenomenal performances from her in the future, this is just the beginning. This was the perfect role for her and her character development is what made this film all that much better. Suki Waterhouse proved once again how much of a badass she is. There was a perfect mix of cattiness and strong bonds between all characters as one would expect with a story like this. Photo courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder.An almost all-female cast dominated this film and that’s just another reason to love this film. But why? Stephanie Sy as Yvonne, Inanna Sarkis as Alice, Madisen Beaty as Bethany, Djouliet Amara as Rosalind, Suki Waterhouse as Camille, and Ella-Rae Smith as Helina in the horror SEANCE, an RLJE Films, and Shudder release. What’s awesome about this film, it’s much like Clue, because we don’t know the characters well and it could be anyone. Like most mystery horror thrillers, Seance, keeps the audience at the edge of their seat, wondering who the killer is and why they’re doing it. ![]() Sometimes trying to create that vibe doesn’t work, but for this film it did. In general, it had a very 90s edge to it, which I appreciated and loved. But before morning, one of the girls is dead, leaving the others wondering what they may have awakened.Īs I’ve mentioned before, this film reminded me of 1986’s Sorority House Massacre meets 1996’s The Craft. Soon after her arrival, six girls invite her to join them in a late-night ritual, calling forth the spirit of a dead former student who reportedly haunts their halls. Camille Meadows is the new girl at the prestigious Edelvine Academy for Girls.
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