ALSO SHOWING
HOST (15) ★★
DURING the Covid pandemic, the ties which bind have increasingly become stable broadband and cameras mounted to laptops and mobile devices.
Host mines this overnight digital evolution for spine-tingling chills and plentiful shrieks from cast members who retain their real Christian names to create the illusion of vérité terror.
In the midst of the first national lockdown, Haley (Haley Bishop, pictured) organises a Zoom video call with five friends: Caroline (Caroline Ward), Emma (Emma Louise Webb), Jemma (Jemma Moore), Radina (Radina Drandova) and Teddy (Edward Linard).
The first five minutes are filled with lighthearted banter and pleasantries. Haley then invites her pal Seylan (Seylan Baxter) into the chat room to conduct an online seance.
Seylan tries to allay the group’s fears even though, in her own words, they will be “slightly less protected” by summoning spirits remotely rather than standing together.
Host is an unsettling exercise in sustained tension that makes the most of the physical restrictions of film-making during an outbreak.
In selected cinemas and available to watch at home on download/streaming.
HAPPIEST SEASON (12)
★★★ ★★ IN THIS seasonal romcom, it’s a case of mistletoe and whine as Kristen Stewart’s kind, trusting PhD student Abby (right), is forced to spend the most wonderful time of the year with the horrible family of her lying girlfriend Harper, played by Mackenzie Davis.
While driving from New York to Grove City, journalist Harper confesses to Abby that she lied about coming out and asks her to climb back into the closet and stay there for the duration of their five-day visit. Abby reluctantly agrees to pose as Harper’s straight “orphan” flatmate, a decision she grows to regret.
Neglecting her partner, Harper spends the days bickering with her catty sister Sloane (Alison Brie) and sucking up to her charmless parents – selfish politician Ted (Victor Garber) and his pushy wife Tipper (Mary Steenburgen).
While Harper makes a show of partying with her ex-boyfriend, Abby finds an ally in Harper’s secret ex-girlfriend Riley (Aubrey Plaza).
Comedic relief comes from Mary Holland as Harper’s kooky younger sister, and Daniel Levy as Abby’s camp best friend.
Stewart is excellent, and Levy makes the most of the film’s only funny lines. But for long stretches, this fraught romantic comedy fails to consistently deliver either romance or jokes. Buy or stream now.
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