Savage State

Host is a 2020 British independent screenlife supernatural horror film directed by Rob Savage, who co-wrote it with Gemma Hurley and Jed Shepherd. A screenlife film that takes place entirely on a Zoom video call, it follows a group of friends who inadvertently summon a demon during an online séance. After the viral success of a short prank video by Savage featuring a handful of the film's cast, 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 home. Host debuted on Shudder on 30 July 2020, and was released in cinemas and digital platforms by Vertigo Releasing on 4 December 2020. The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its themes of social anxiety, its use of jump scares, and the cast's chemistry.