The Camp Host

I'm not entirely sure what this was meant to be. Was it Horror/Thriller? Or was it a Horror/Comedy?

It ended up being nothing, really.

The poster itself tells us far too much by itself. We know exactly who the protagonist is and who the antagonist is, so there's absolutely no level of suspense or intrigue before we even watch the film.

Onto the actual film, and it's just not that good, and it's full of that overly annoying trope of 'stupid people doing stupid things'. It could've been an average film, had the part the characters were to play in this not been signposted before we watch the film.

It was just all too obvious how this was going to play out, though they attempted a twist ending, presumably with the hope of setting up a needless sequel. They need to leave this alone.

An exciting and clever horror romp. This Tubi original puts an emphasis on original. A relevant turn on typical slasher tropes. Takes it from the time honored yet truly tired 'teenagers at camp' and spins a yarn of post-pandemic millennial-malaise evocative of cinematic treasures like Lost in America. There are moments that are hilarious, moments that are anxiety attack inducing and moments of true surprise. There's so much culture and soul couched in the context of genre cinema. And though you know the titular villain from the jump, the twists and turns and character moments propel the plot with a voracious pace. The cinematography is splendid. Impressive how controlled the framing, blocking and movement are. The sound design is subtle yet strong when appropriate. Performances and tone are executed perfectly. Thematically as big as you want it to be but not overbearing or pedantic. It's there for the taking if you're the type. But even if you're not a comp lit major, it's still a smart, swift, surprising, thrilling and ultimately very satisfying watch. I'll be giving this another spin soon to see how it holds up on rewatch because damn it was fun the first time around!

This movie is a cinematic gem. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of a remote campground, the film follows the journey of a reclusive camp host, brilliantly portrayed by Brook Johnson. The casting choices fit perfectly in the story. McComas's masterful storytelling unfolds with precision, inviting viewers into a world where quiet moments speak volumes and human connections are forged in the most unexpected places.

With stunning cinematography capturing the serene beauty of the wilderness, coupled with a hauntingly beautiful score that echoes the protagonist's emotional journey, "The Camp Host" transcends the boundaries of traditional cinema. McComas deftly explores the complexities of the human spirit, offering a poignant reminder of the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of finding solace in the natural world.

Plot: When a young couple and their dog lodge at an "idyllic" campground, things turn terrifying when the owner reveals herself as a psychopathic killer.

So the plot is pretty Okay for a horror movie, but man oh man is this poorly done. Plus, the main lead stinks. Why didn't they cast the cute chick from the beginning of the movie who had a way better body and was way more interesting to look at for 90 minutes? I'm still thinking about her.

The lead they chose is annoying, as other reviewers said. She has no future in movies. And she kisses with her mouth closed like she never kissed before.

I watch a lot of b- horror (especially on Tubi), this one is a step above normal. The 2 leads do a great job as a real couple and the bad person is very convincing as a psychopath. The premise used the quintessential campground, but uses it in a newer way. The cinematography is superb for this type of film and there are limited night scenes (which I can't stand). The semi-yuppie couple argue like one would expect. The kills aren't too gory, but they are creative. Again, this is a very unique Mar Vista film that I did not anticipate as being this good. The female lead is a perfect fit for this role.