SUPERHOST *** USA 2021 Dir: Brandon Christensen. 84 mins
Shudder have really been bringing out strong content the past couple of years. Ever since ‘Host’ exploded in popularity during lockdown and building on the momentum of hits such as ‘Creepshow’ and ‘Cursed Films’ the streaming platform seems to be finding its feet.
Brandon Christensen, Director of the already streaming on Shudder and better than it should have been ‘Z’ and ‘Still/Born’ is back with this tale of two YouTubers played by Sara Canning from ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Supernatural’ star Osric Chau, who get more than they bargained for when they visit a remote lodge, hoping to get great content for their dwindling channel.
The film starts off strong, despite treading a well-worn path, as we get to know our protagonists. You really feel for Chau’s Teddy as he goes along with Canning’s Claire, who seems more concerned with gaining followers and putting on a show, than actually growing her channel for the love of it.
Enter Gracie Gillam (who horror fans will know as Grace Phipps, also from ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and the excellent ‘Dark Summer’) as the off-kilter Rebecca. At first, Claire sees an opportunity to exploit her, but Rebecca is not the quirky country hick the duo thinks she is and when Scream Queen Barbara Crampton shows up, things really take a turn. As events spiral out of control the couple find themselves trapped in the middle of nowhere.
The film loses its footing in the third act but it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome at a scant 84 minutes. All around it’s a competent thriller.
Review by Phil Davies Brown
SUPERHOST is out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Platforms