With most found-footage horror films, the opening act is used to set up the audience with what they can expect to later see as jump-scare cannon fodder. However at times I found myself so invested in the film, that even when there was one specific over-used trope (one which I was sure they would use), it shocked me and was a pleasant surprise. “ Host” does, at times, sink to using the typical tropes like an actor made-up to look like a demon jumping out of the dark at the camera an obligatory fake-out scare and the believer vs non-believer character conflict.

You make sure to study every Zoom window (especially when all six windows are up at once) to see a hint of something in the background.Īs you would expect, there is only so much you can do with a found footage film that hasn’t already been done. The Zoom interface and limitations of a typical laptop webcam are seamlessly utilized to put you on the edge of your seat for anything that could happen. Just barely making the runtime for a feature-length film at 56 minutes, “ Host” smartly sets up its characters, locations, & premise while also preparing the audience for what is to come. “ Host” is a short but succinct horror film chronicling six friends as they hold a virtual séance before everything, predictably, goes wrong. This Shudder Original was created in quarantine and filmed entirely over Zoom. In recent years the sub-genre has started to see a resurgence as technology changes, utilizing webcams, instant messaging, and computer screens in “Unfriended” and “Searching”, but I have not seen the style used as effectively as “Host” does. Turning into somewhat of a joke for movie-goers and parodied frequently.

However, after numerous sequels from both series and many failed copycats, the style quickly became stale and over-used.

I grew up watching films like “Paranormal Activity” and “” in the mid-2000s, what some would consider found footage’s hey-day. Starting with “Cannibal Holocaust” in 1980, found footage horror films rose in over time, with the culmination arguably peaking with “The Blair Witch Project” in 1999.

Zoom movie length