Your Host

Heading out to a remote cabin, a group of friends hoping to have a weekend getaway together are drugged and captured by a sadistic madman intent on getting them to reveal a deadly secret between them as he tortures the group to get them to confess everything to each other.

This was an immensely difficult film to get into. The only really enjoyable feature with this one is the rather brutal and graphic gore on display, which comes from the wholly fun games that are played. With the whole thing generating the kind of homage to the torture genre of the past where everyone is forced against their will to perform these actions or face gruesome consequences, the idea of ripping fingers off, stabbing, slicing, or bashing others in the context of the game, it leaves this with some pretty graphic encounters through these different games throughout the night. With the final confrontation coming about rather nicely since the target of the retribution is a bit of a shock with how the scenario plays out, and the lengthy interaction is mildly amusing, these factors are enough to give it some positives. There are plenty of drawbacks keeping this one down. The main detriment to this one is the absolutely asinine group of people that we're supposed to be following as a means of being sympathetic to the situation. Starting off at the beginning, when we meet them upset about going on the trip since they're going to be with their unlikable friend, which turns into a shouting match almost immediately after getting there, and it's even worse in that the whole thing is justified. The snap for what he does to the group to cause them to scream and curse him for trying to do that is perfectly acceptable based on what he says, so that it's impossible not to care about the group or why they're friends with him, especially when he continually acts as selfish and unconcerned with everyone else that emerges throughout the games. The other big issue here is the absolutely dull and lackluster central setup present here involving the actual game itself. The whole experience of trying to force people to play deadly games against their will to the point of trying to uncover a special secret between them is so played out and tired that it doesn't match the cruelty, inventiveness, or cleverness of other efforts to try the same scenario. By the time the secret is revealed, which is admittedly hard to guess, it's just not that interesting or worth going through all this trouble being around the rest of the group as much as we are to get there. As the whole thing is wrapped with an indifferent, by-the-numbers atmosphere that's just utterly painful to sit through, there's just not much to this one.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

I guess it has been long enough that the casual horror fan may not immediately think of SAW when watching this, but the similarities are unmistakable. Call it an homage if you like.

Jackie Earle Haley may be what helps this one rise above so many other SAW copy-cats. Him and the impressive gore effects. Indie horror can often rise above their limitations in that respect, but this one really looked good.

Back to Haley. His disturbed game show host demeanor is just enough to pull the viewer over the line from laughing to squirming a bit uncomfortably. Especially after you learn why he is doing the things he is doing.

The film suffers from the same thing that all films like this suffer from, SAW included, which is that if you scratch the surface of the plot just a little you have to wonder HOW the antagonists are able to pull off the stunts and traps that they do. You have a man who's life had been ruined, BUT he could buy a warehouse and line it with elaborate and deadly mechanical equipment and manage to capture everyone and bring them to said warehouse without anyone noticing?

This is a film that I got the chance to see from FrightFest via screener, thanks to Strike Media. Now ahead of seeing this, I heard buzz about it. Then seeing that this starred Jackie Earle Haley, an actor that I'm a fan of, I was in. Now I did come into this one blind, aside from knowing that it was a 2025 horror film.

Synopsis: four friends get trapped in a sadistic game show, forced to outwit a twisted serial killer while racing against time. Every move brings them closer to freedom or a gruesome fate.

We start this off with seeing a bloody man that we'll learn is named Jake (Tom Claxton). He is told by our game show host, played by Haley, that he's the winner. He gets to select his prize, which is from three presents. He pulls the string on one, revealing a shotgun.

It then jumps over to meeting our main cast. They're at James' (Jamie Flatters) father's cabin. He is joined by Anita (Ella-Rae Smith), Matthew (David Angland) and Melissa (Joelle Rae). There are butting heads as the drinks flow. Anita and James especially do not get along. He makes comments that upset her and she warns him if he keeps on that path, he'll get canceled.

Their night then takes an odd turn when they hear a noise outside. James goes out to look and finds a VHS camera. He brings it inside, wanting to watch the tape. Anita is freaked out and destroys it before he can. They go their separate ways. Matthew goes in to check on Anita to find her passed out. She won't respond. He then goes to the others and it is the same thing. He's then stuck in the neck with a hypodermic needle.

It is then they all wake up in a room, chained to the wall. The host comes out, greeting them and introduces them to the audience. He wants to play a game. There are different rounds with their own specific name and rules. No matter what they play, the loser gets punished. It turns out there is a specific reason they were selected and it involves secrets that they're hiding. Who will win this game and even if they do, will they truly survive?

That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. I decided to go lighter since it doesn't waste time getting into it. It gives us a baseline of the characters and then we learn the true nature of them as the host pushes them. I love exposing that everyone has secrets. It turns our characters to shades of grey. I'll end this opening by saying that this feels inspired by Saw with the torture for a reason aspect. I've also seen a few films using this 'game show' narrative as well.

Now that I have that set up, where I want to start is with our group who are playing the game that is the focus. Initially believed to be a random group, the participants are notable for James's frequent arguments, particularly with Matthew, whom he calls "knight in shining armor." Anita warns James about this comment. Upon waking in the game, they bicker, blaming each other for their predicament, especially when the host forces them to reveal secrets. The more we learn about it with the host, the more it makes sense with this game and previous ones.

Let's then talk about the character. I'll avoid spoilers here, but his name is Barry Miller. The only reveal I'll give is that he's used to be a game show host and now he's out to get revenge. I'll tread lightly here and say that it is heartbreaking. It is also interesting to go that route with the current climate of allegations and not believing victims. It does feel that it is pushing a certain narrative that is a slippery slope. Regardless of where the intentions line, Haley knocks this role out the park.

I think I want to stick with talking about the acting performances. I've already said that Haley steals the show. Smith works in her role. What I like about her is that we see early on that she is our lead. She seems nice and Matthew has a crush. We learn something about her in the opening round of the game and there is more to her even beyond that. Flatters works as the jerk in the group. Angland as the 'nice guy'. His reveal is shocking to be honest. I also like Rae. Other than that, the others in secondary roles round this out for what is needed.

All that is left then would be the filmmaking. Well-made with effective, mostly practical, effects likely enhanced by CGI. Cinematography and framing hide imperfections when needed so credit there. The warehouse/basement setting with grunge lighting is excellent. The backstory is not ideal, but the pacing of its revelation works with the story. I will say, I absolutely love the brutal nature of the ending. Plus, the punishments made me cringe in the best way.

In conclusion, this is a compelling and brutal horror film that takes inspiration from the Saw franchise while carving its own niche with a game show narrative. Haley delivers a standout performance as the vengeful host, ably supported by the cast who portray characters with increasing moral ambiguity. While the backstory might be contentious for some, the film's effective practical effects, strong cinematography, and relentless pacing culminate in a truly cringeworthy and satisfyingly brutal ending. It's a film that doesn't shy away from exposing the dark secrets within its characters, making for a truly memorable experience.

My Rating: 7.5 out of 10.