Podcast Summary

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #3 “Host”
Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes

Episode Overview

In this episode, Amy and T.J. dive into their #3 pick on their Halloween horror hit list: the 2020 film Host. Renowned for its high Rotten Tomatoes score and produced in response to the real-life atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic, Host stands out for its inventiveness, minimalist style, and authentic scares. The hosts break down what makes this short, intense movie resonate so much, from lockdown relatability to horror-movie conventions upended by Zoom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Film’s Unique Context

• Set and Released During the Pandemic:
  • Host was filmed, produced, and released within months of the COVID-19 lockdowns—giving it a sense of immediacy and relevance.
  • “This is a pandemic film. That is brilliant. I mean, talk about artists using the current situation that we were in at that point and using it for horror.” — Amy Robach [04:40]
• Short Runtime:
  • Unusually brief at 57 minutes, which both hosts agree is a strength rather than a weakness.
  • “This might be the shortest horror movie on our radar.” — T.J. Holmes [05:28]
  • “57 minutes is the runtime.” — Amy Robach [05:39]

Synopsis & Premise

• Six friends hold a Zoom séance during lockdown, summoning more terror than they bargained for.
  • “Six friends hire a medium to hold a seance via Zoom during lockdown. But they get far more than they bargain for as things quickly go wrong.”— Amy Robach [05:41]

Relatability & Authenticity

• Real names used by several actors add to the film’s verisimilitude.
  • “Haley, Gemma, Emma, Carolyn, they used their real names in the movie. We mention that, folks, because it was an intentional move to add to the authenticity of this film.”— T.J. Holmes [08:00]
• The film authentically captures the confined, anxious mood of lockdown:
  • “It feels like you are actually watching six friends stuck in lockdown in their individual apartments trying to do something fun and entertaining during the pandemic.” — Amy Robach [08:14]

Style & Technical Aspects

• Shot on rudimentary tech (laptops, phones), on tiny budgets (about $100,000).
• Leans heavily into the “found footage” feel, though technically it’s a real-time event.
  • “Found footage?... It’s a live event that’s unfolding… there is no found footage. They’re just actually experiencing these things live on a live stream.” — Amy Robach [10:39]

Critical vs. Audience Response

• Critic Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%; Audience score: only 71%.
  • “This is a 57-minute movie that's almost got a 100% rating. That tells you a lot about how well-done this one was.” — T.J. Holmes [09:46]
  • The hosts speculate that some audience members expected more action and set pieces, while the film relies on slow, mounting terror.
  • “There are just people on screens. You're watching a zoom call and there's not a lot of necessarily big action, just a little subtle thing here, a chair moves there. It's all effective to me.” — T.J. Holmes [12:39]
  • “The tension builds and it builds at such an effective pace... when it starts going, it ramps up quickly.” — Amy Robach [12:52]

The Horror and Its Effectiveness

• No elaborate effects, no grand set-pieces—just relatable, realistic scares.
• The sense of dread is amplified by the setting: a person's only “safe space” (their home during lockdown) becomes the site of horror.
  • “That really in that moment was the only safe space we felt like we had. So everyone felt terrorized by the outside world. So to have that terror come into your small little world seemed even more frightening.” — Amy Robach [11:20]

Character Development

• The film builds quick, effective character arcs.
  • “You learn something about each and every one of the women. Even the filters… tells you something about her personality.” — T.J. Holmes [13:32]

The Ending

• Both hosts adore the notorious final sequence, rewatch it repeatedly:
  • “The ending is my favorite part... We actually have rewound it several times just to watch the ending again.” — Amy Robach [14:24]; T.J. Holmes [14:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Why they wouldn’t attempt a séance:
  • “I wouldn’t even let a Ouija board in my apartment ... why would I beckon it?” — Amy Robach [06:35]
• On catching “Host” first time:
  • “I was sitting next to Nikki and this movie scared the bejesus out of us.” — Amy Robach [04:40]
• On the film’s effectiveness:
  • “It’s brilliant. It's so well done. It's so well acted. It's a fun ride ... There are no special effects. It's just so well done.” — Amy Robach [20:49]
• On showing it to horror-averse friends:
  • “This is one I think you could introduce them to and say, hey, let's sit down. I promise this isn't so scary that you'll be mad at me, but you'll actually appreciate how fun it is.” — Amy Robach [22:55]
• On watching alone:
  • “Could you watch this by yourself?”
    “You can, but you'll regret that you did.” — Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes [26:27]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [03:24] — Introduction to the episode and “Host” as #3 on the horror hit list
• [04:33] — Film background, release timing, and initial reactions
• [05:39] — Discussion of the film’s unusual 57-minute runtime
• [07:37] — Director Rob Savage, cast, use of real names for authenticity
• [08:38] — Discussion of budget, found footage/computer-screen horror style
• [09:05] — Rotten Tomatoes scores and the critic vs. audience disconnect
• [10:03] — Critic reviews, found footage debate
• [11:20] — Psychological impact of horror during lockdown
• [12:52] — Character development and tension-building
• [14:24] — Hosts discuss the effectiveness and memorability of the ending
• [16:09] — Who the film is for/not for; warnings
• [25:20] — Food & drink pairing for a movie night (shots, “spirits”, popcorn, candles)
• [27:34] — Where to find the film (Netflix)
• [27:48] — Tease for next episode, on foreign language horror picks

Food, Drink, and Viewing Experience Recommendations

• Drinks:

  • Take a shot when the film’s characters do (during a specific sequence)
  • Play along with sips of “spirits” whenever the medium says the word “spirit.”
  • Caution: Don’t drink every time—it comes up a lot!

• Snacks:

  • Popcorn or small bite snacks that won’t distract you (like mini pretzels); eyes must stay glued to the screen for subtle scares.

• Atmosphere:

  • Light candles for atmosphere, as the movie does.
  • Watch at night, in the dark, for maximum effect.

• Watching Alone:

  • Not recommended—the movie is scarier solo, and you may regret it!

Who Is This Movie For? Who Should Avoid?

For:

• Everyone, from horror aficionados to newcomers.
• Those seeking a tense, minimalist horror without gore or grand special effects.
• Anyone wanting a brief, punchy horror experience (57 minutes).

Not For:

• People rigidly opposed to the “Zoom call” or “found footage” format.
• Folks who are freaked out by spiritualism (seances, Ouija boards) in horror.
• Closed-minded viewers who might not appreciate the slow burn or minimalist style.

Final Thoughts

Host is a perfect time capsule horror film for the pandemic era—brilliantly simple, relatable, and effective. It’s one of the highest-rated horror films critically in recent years, and despite its brevity and humble budget, it leaves a lasting impact. Amy and T.J. recommend it for almost everyone, and passionately defend its innovative approach. And don't forget: watch with friends, keep the lights off, and have your popcorn ready—but never, ever try a séance at home.

Next Episode Tease:
The countdown continues with a foreign-language horror film, this time “the antithesis” of Host—action-packed and subtitle-driven. (“You can't take your eyes off of it.” [28:26])

Hosts:
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes
Listen on: iHeartRadio, Netflix (for the film)
Episode Timestamp: October 29, 2025