Film Review: Superhost (2021)

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SYNOPSIS:

In SUPERHOST, Teddy and Claire are travel vloggers who run a channel called “SUPERHOST” where they travel and share their experiences in and around vacation homes, and until recently, had become successful doing it. With a dwindling subscriber count, they find the perfect opportunity to create content that people want to see when they meet Rebecca, the host of their most recent trip. Slowly they start to realize that something isn’t right with Rebecca, and as they investigate it further, they unlock a horrifying truth. She doesn’t just want a great review, she wants something far worse.

REVIEW:

Okay, so I loved the movie, Z which was also written and directed by Brandon Christensen.

Superhost opens with Osric Chau portraying Teddy and Sara Canning portraying Claire. They are travel vloggers per the movie’s synopsis. They are getting ready to go away. They are losing subscribers and Claire isn’t happy about it. We do live in a such a social media, technology pushing, no one can go a second with a phone world.

May I just mention that Barbara Crampton is also in Superhost, she portrays Vera. Okay back to the review. Teddy and Claire are trying to get into their hidden vacation home which is in the middle of the woods. Oh, we meet Rebecca portrayed AMAZINGLY by Gracie Gillam.

Rebecca has to give them the new door code, and let them inside. Claire wants to film right away, like as soon as she gets in the door. Rebecca isn’t happy about this as the superhost of this

Watching Osric Chau randomly go in to cat mode was great. They added the different sound effects and random images that pop-up onscreen, so you get the gist of it. Teddy and Claire notice the security cameras, they are all over the house. It’s getting creepy and intense. Uh-oh, Rebecca is back to fix

I like the story; I think the fact that Claire and Teddy have an added history. Claire and Teddy are trying to build and rebuild their channel. Claire notices something while editing the videos. Oh Rebecca, what are you up to?! Gracie Gillam (Dark Summer, Z Nation) is great in Superhost.

Claire and Teddy don’t get a lot of sleep in this vacation house. Ohhhh, this just better and better. Barbara Crampton portrays Vera, and she shows up, and holy moly, what a scene between Barbara Crampton and Gracie Gillam. I would have checked out by now,

Teddy wants to keep the vacation vlogs to “vacations” and Claire is sort of veering towards drama and chaos. Teddy has other plans and it’s genuinely sweet and caring, BUT Claire ruins it, she ruined the moment. This is sad because this is social media. We all post stuff, life moments and what we consider accomplishments but there are people who may or may not be so happy about what others post.

Social media can be wonderful and hindering at the same time. Claire and Teddy want to leave now, NOW, after so much has happened. Claire wants those views and likes. Teddy wants to movie it along. Rebecca has other plans for these two. I’m so concerned for so many reasons.

Rebecca’s plans are a combination of Jack Torrance from The Shining and Billy and Stu from Scream (1996). Gracie plays this character so light-hearted and nonchalant. The added in slasher and dark humor makes this movie good. “I’m not a hero, I’m a vlogger”, that’s a great line.

I think about movies like, The Strangers: Prey at Night, Hush, You’re Next, Vacancy, Panic Room, No Good Deed, Funny Games, The Purge, Wait Until Dark (1967), When A Stranger Calls (1979), Scream (1996)

They are all great films with intense stories about intruders, home invasion, human beings at the worst and best. It’s genuine terror.

The vacation home is amazing. There are lots of rooms, it’s in the middle of nowhere, which isn’t my favorite thing. I have a fascination with locations and houses. They always become a character in the film. This vacation house is the safety and danger all at once.

Superhost is great, Brandon Christensen delivered incredible shots, the shadows during the scenes at night are beautiful.

Make sure to check out Superhost.