The Camp Host

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.

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.

The movie overall wasn't completely awful. What I can compliment? The style and camera shots were decent. I also thought the plot idea itself wasn't terrible, I mean I watched the movie because it sounded like something I'd be interested in. The execution would be a different story. The actors that played the side characters did their roles well. However, the protagonist characters were uninteresting, I couldn't bring myself to care about them. The plot was just kinda boring, and there was little-to-no real depth with the killer or the protagonists. The surprises were incredibly stupid, it felt insulting to the viewer. It was like they were getting ready to end the film, wrapping it up with a bow (if they'd ended the movie just a few minutes earlier, this would have a higher rating), and then decided to add two of the dumbest "plot twists" I've ever seen for the sake of trying to either set up a bad sequel or.....I don't know, shock value? Because they don't make sense. It's just senseless plot twist. I probably would have laughed at how ridiculous it was if I wasn't baffled at how random it was. This movie is just nothing special, and I had to watch it at two separate times because I got bored. Wouldn't recommend.

On its surface The Camp Host is a love letter to a genre that has become over saturated with cliches and trusted imitations.

Subtle nods to horror trailblazers are not obvious but are there for the true fan to smile at.

What's most impressive is the reassurance of what can be achieved on a small budget in the hands of a talented director who knows and loves their craft.

Without the aid of expensive cgi McComas achieves what most modern horror films fail at, creating an atmospheric environment that feels fraught with danger. Just like early Carpenter and Hooper he is able to present a threat that is grounded in reality but elevated to the extreme.

This isn't the full picture though, once all the blood, gore and, yes, feces has run off into the woods the question of 'What is wrong with the world?' lingers.

Not why are there crazy serial killers in the woods but why are we all so sure that our world view is right?

How can we be so unwieldy in our beliefs even in the presence of those with more reason and experience to comment?

In summary The Camp Host is a skillfully made modern slasher with a retro vibe in the truest form that takes a subtle dig at modern mainstream cultural values.

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!