Host is one of the scariest British horror movies ever – and you can watch it free this Halloween

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If you’re eager to get into the Halloween spirit this weekend, you should check out Host. This excellent 2020 horror film is now available to watch for free in the UK. It was previously only available on Shudder, but now more people can enjoy it.

Rob Savage directed and co-wrote Host (with Gemma Hurley and Jed Shepherd), and it was famously filmed entirely on Zoom during the 2020 UK lockdown. The movie centers around a group of friends who decide to hold a séance online, and things quickly go wrong.

Beyond capturing the feel of the moment – even including jokes about social distancing – Host is a genuinely scary horror film. It’s a fresh and frightening take on the found footage style, unfolding entirely through a Zoom call, and manages to deliver real scares and unsettling visuals in just 56 minutes.

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The horror film Host is now available on Channel 5’s free streaming service, supported by ads, until November 9th. You can also still watch it on Shudder, which is available as a subscription through Amazon Prime Video with a seven-day free trial.

To really get into the experience, you can watch Host on your computer, but be warned – it’s so scary you might not want to use your computer ever again!

The show Host is so effective at creating scares because the actors have a natural connection – they’re actually friends in real life, and that chemistry comes across on screen. It really feels like watching a Zoom call with friends, which is fitting, since that’s how the cast communicated with each other while making the movie.

While their Zoom meetings thankfully didn’t involve any paranormal activity, the cast of Host actually held a real séance before filming. According to star Jemma Moore in an interview with Digital Spy, many elements of the movie were inspired by what happened during the séance. In fact, the medium’s connection was abruptly lost, leaving the séance unfinished, and Moore jokingly suggested she might still be affected by it.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash in my house – something fell from my bookshelf. I jumped up and immediately started to cry, I was so frightened. It really terrified me. It’s funny, actually, because I think my character, Jemma, is probably braver than I am.

Don’t just take our word for how scary Host is – science backs it up! A recent study called “The Science of Scare” actually measured the heart rates of 250 people while watching horror movies. Host scored a 95 out of 100, making it the second scariest movie tested, only behind Sinister.

I’m really digging that Host is pretty short, so it’s perfect for a horror movie double feature this weekend. Shudder’s been adding some good stuff to Channel 5 lately too – I’ve already added V/H/S 85, Mayhem, The Cleansing Hour, and The Ranger to my watchlist.

Alternatively, you could rewatch Host to catch details you might have missed—if you’re up for another scare!

Host is available to watch right now on Channel 5’s streaming service.

I’m so excited! The latest issue of Living Legends is out, and it features Ariana & Witches! You can grab a copy at any newsagent or order it online for only £8.99. I can’t wait to read it!

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2025-10-24 20:20