Host(Movie, 2020)

Host is a 2020 British independent supernatural horror film directed by Rob Savage and written by Savage, Gemma Hurley, and Jed Shepherd. A computer screen film that takes place entirely on a Zoom video call, it follows a group of friends who attempt to escape a demon they inadvertently summoned during an online séance. After a short prank video by Savage which featured a handful of the film's cast went viral, he developed the concept into a feature-length film, which was shot over 12 weeks directly on the Zoom software during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast members were in charge of their own cameras, sound, makeup, lighting, and stunts, with Savage directing them remotely from his own home. The film was released via the American streaming platform Shudder on 30 July 2020, with a British release date of 4 December 2020 being arranged by Vertigo Releasing. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its themes of social anxiety, its use of jump scares, and the cast's chemistry. It was a commercial success, earning $443,807 against a budget of $100,000. ()