Superhost Review, Smash That Like Button!
If you’ve never heard of a “Superhost”, the term is used to describe the owner of an Airbnb property that outshines their obligations. It sets the standard for those that love to holiday in the homes of strangers. There has been a few standout films that dive into this theme, not the Superhost perse, but the trend of staying in a home that belongs to a stranger. 13 Cameras and 14 Cameras, Welcome Home, and The Rental are a few standouts if this is something you enjoy in a horror movie. Superhost takes this idea one step further and introduces the rental properties that often come with the property owner wanting to make their clients stay that little bit extra. They will often include breakfast, and pets and be available to show you around. Less anonymous than most, the Superhost is exactly that.
This time, director Brandon Christensen (Still/Born & Z) wants to try and give you that uncomfortable edge he is well known for. Superhost is by far a film with more personality than his previous films. The villain is introduced as a well-intentioned smiling Rebecca. The type of villain that you immediately know has a few screws loose but are unsure when the rafters will come loose from the ceiling. The guests are two influencers who are a couple, Teddy and Claire, that serve as travel vloggers. What is also obvious from the start is that no matter how off-kilter Rebecca seems to be, Claire and Teddy’s desire for internet fame causes any doubts they have about Rebecca to be pushed aside.
I’m a Superhost! Airbnb Influencers
Much of what Claire and Teddy do stretches the dumb-decision-making horror trope to the extreme. Claire’s narcissism towards not giving a crap about who she plows down on her road to stardom just ramps up the tension. Some might call this predictable. However when you overtly push the obvious in horror, sometimes it works as a booster to the underlying creepiness of a situation. And that’s what Superhost does. Not only does it bring it when it comes to making a fun, entertaining, and lively showcase of modern horror but it manages to dial up the tension to 11.
Where is the Cat?
The clues as to what Rebecca might be up to are not subtle. Within the first few minutes, the vloggers point out the home they are staying in has all the signs of a pet cat. But no cat is to be seen anywhere. I won’t spoil Superhost by individually itemizing all the other clues. But I do know that if any setting in a horror movie is missing a pet, something is definitely amiss. Claire and Teddy are so focused on repeating the massive numbers in viewership from a previous show they don’t give any credence to what might or might not be wrong with Rebecca. When Vera, turns up and causes a scene because of what the vloggers did to her thriving Superhost status, it’s obvious we are dealing with two people who wield their fame with the intention to damage. Essentially for the sake of their audience.
The final third lacks in a crescendoing climax failing to really drive home a surprising end. What incentivized this Superhost movie was a little disappointing. However, the film more than makes up for it with its lead Rebecca (Gracie Gillam.) She steals the film when it comes to performance and I loved every second of her onscreen. Looks like we have a new scream queen in town. Cinematography framed the tiny details about Rebecca that made her not only a likable bad guy but showed how editing can make or break any situation. Barbara Crampton also stars and was definitely a highlight in her role as Vera.
I give Superhost
3.5 “Smash that like button!” out of 5
Superhost Full Movie Trailer, Watch it on Shudder from September 2nd, 2021
Director and writer: Brandon Christensen
Stars: Sara Canning, Osric Chau, Gracie Gillam, Barbara Crampton,
