Hosts
Where to Watch Hosts
Hosts is a riveting horror-thriller film from 2020 that intensely combines elements of drama, suspense, and raw horror, leaving no avenue unexplored for instigating a biting chill down the viewer's spine. The film is directed by Adam Leader and Richard Oakes and features an impressive lead cast, including Neal Ward, Frank Jakeman, Jennifer K. Preston, and Samantha Loxley.
The plot of Hosts unfurls quite meticulously and maintains an air of eerie mystery and suspense right from the beginning. Setting the stage for the story is a family that is preparing for a jovial Christmas dinner. The film cleverly brings out the day-to-day dynamics and little nuances of a close-knit family preparing for the festive evening. The plot kicks into high gear when they invite their next-door neighbors, a young couple, to join their celebrations. Unbeknownst to the family, the couple is far from ordinary, having been afflicted by an unexplained paranormal phenomenon.
Neal Ward and Samantha Loxley, playing the seemingly normal couple, deliver spine-chilling performances. Their portrayal of the transformation they undergo from next-door sweethearts to something beyond human comprehension is a testament to their acting prowess. Ward, especially, shines through with his uncanny ability to switch between two contrasting characters flawlessly and essentially becoming a terrifying presence on the screen. Loxley, on the other hand, beautifully portrays a character layered with nuances, bringing about a balance of empathy and uneasiness with her captivating performance.
Frank Jakeman impeccably portrays the quintessential family man, who hopes for nothing but a peaceful family dinner but is thrown into an unimaginable nightmare that he didn't see coming. Jennifer K. Preston shines as the mother of the house, and her unraveled emotions and determination hold the character together even in the direst of circumstances. The various layers added to each character these actors portray make them believable, relatable, and human in the crispest sense, which adds to the movie’s chilling realism.
The atmospheric horror of Hosts is complemented perfectly by the dark and brooding cinematography, which makes us question what lurks in the shadows. The movie is beautifully shot, combining real-world bleakness with supernatural eeriness. The hues and colours are moody and stark when needed, capturing the essence of the grim tale the film encapsulates. Even the celebratory brightness of the Christmas decorations is presented in an ironic yet stirring way, reminding viewers of the edge-of-the-seat suspense wrapped in the festivities.
The masterful direction and well-crafted screenplay of Hosts, with its clever pacing, ensure that not a single scene is mundane. It manages to maintain a sense of impending doom and tension, an elusive quality that defines standout horror films. The movie carefully blends themes of family, relationships, tragedy, and fear, thus creating a well-rounded narrative that hinges on more than just shock factor.
Moreover, the poster and promotional material come replete with skulls, lending a foreboding, macabre aesthetic to the publicity of "Hosts" that sets it apart from the generic crowd. This cryptic symbolism only adds to the anticipation and intrigue that the movie promises.
While the movie is unarguably bloody at parts, it never relies on gore to fuel its fright factor. Instead, the real horror comes from the characters and the slow unfolding of the eerily surreal events. It's the fear of the unknown, the unexpected and the inexplicably abnormal that is beautifully captured in the plot and performances.
In Hosts, viewers find a small budget film brimming with rich horror elements that keep them gripped throughout. Its strengths lie in the performances of the lead actors, the undercurrent of dread that pervades the atmosphere, and the nuanced wielding of horror tropes. Debate and speculation abound around the movie's abrupt and shocking twists and turns, leaving interpretations open-ended and triggering discussions, which is always the mark of an impactful film.
In a nutshell, "Hosts" is an intense psychological thriller dipped in horror that will shake you from the inside, causing you to question the reality of the constructed narrative. Those who enjoy a good suspenseful horror with an engrossing and layered storyline will find this movie right up their alley.
Hosts is a Horror movie released in 2020. It has a runtime of 89 min. Critics and viewers have rated it mostly poor reviews, with an IMDb score of 4.3..
How to Watch Hosts
Where can I stream Hosts movie online? Hosts is available to watch and stream, buy on demand, download at Amazon Prime, Amazon Prime, FuboTV, Crackle, Plex, Tubi TV, Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Hosts for a limited time or purchase the movie for downloading.