In ‘Host,’ online séance is full of shocking surprises
Local theaters are reopening as I write this column, but most of the fare available is older films.
Other than “Tenet,” there is nothing worth braving the theaters to see. “Host,” a small-screen gem produced during the pandemic, is better than anything on the big screen right now.
Millions of us have become accustomed to doing everything via Zoom nowadays. It’s our method of communication for meetings, classes, family gatherings and parties.
In “Host,” Haley decides that her group of friends should do an online séance during their weekly Zoom activity. She and four friends hop online with a medium who guides them through the process. Against the medium’s advice, most of them don’t take it very seriously. This proves to be a bad choice.
When things go wrong, the suspense and jump scares intensify. The film deftly uses the split-screen nature of Zoom for perfect setups.
Though not even an hour long, “Host” feels like a full-length film. Every one of its 57 minutes is perfect. After watching “Host,” your next Zoom meeting will feel much different. A
More small screen movies to check out
“The Outsider” (HBO): The setup involves one of the most creative, bizarre whodunits I’ve ever seen. With a few scares and a pulsing soundscape, this is another Stephen King miniseries homerun.
“The Woods” (Netflix): While working a difficult case, a Polish lawyer has a horrible incident from his youth dredged up when a body is discovered. Frequently jumping between past and present, the series is addicting no matter the time period.
“I’ll be Gone in The Dark” (HBO): Comedian Patton Oswalt’s wife Michelle became obsessed with a string of rapes in the 1970s, which led to the discovery that the East Area Rapist was actually the Golden State Killer. He had been operating much longer than anyone knew. Spending equal time on the victims and Michelle’s story, this miniseries gets under the skin.
Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.