Having created both Still/Born and Z, Brandon Christensen has fast become a horror filmmaker to watch. Z especially, is a masterstroke in tension and fear, featuring one of the best executed jump scares in recent years. Whereas Still/Born and Z could be classed as parental horror (films that tap into the fears and anxieties around parenthood), Christensen’s latest film, Superhost, is a departure and marks a step in a different direction. His back catalogue is firmly rooted in darkness and fear, but Superhost flips expectations on their heads; it is set almost entirely during the day, and is a movie not afraid to have fun with itself.
Superhost joins travel vlogging couple Claire (Sara Canning) and Teddy (Osric Chau) as they visit the latest Air BnB on their list. The pair’s content has recently started to stagnate, and with viewers unsubscribing, the duo are in need of a fresh angle. Their encounter with their overly friendly host Rebecca (Gracie Gillam) presents them with a perfect opportunity to create something a little different, but Rebecca isn’t someone to mess with.
Filmed during the earlier stages of the pandemic, Superhost was made with a crew of less than fifteen people, including the four cast members (Barbara Crampton being the final cast member). It is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved and plays as a wickedly fun thriller that casts a spotlight on the dangers of both the internet and strangers. After a successful debut on Shudder, Superhost arrives on Blu-ray, DVD, and wider digital platforms from Monday 4th April, so if you don’t have Shudder (which you really should), now is the perfect time to settle in with the film.
Ahead of the release, we sat down with Brandon Christensen to find out more about how Superhost came to be.
Superhost is available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital from 4th April from Acorn Media International.
