“Host:” Quarantine Horror for the Online Generation
Shudder’s Host (not a particularly original title, I must say) attempts to bring the spooks to “the quarantine generation” by presenting us with a scary Zoom call during lockdown.

Matteo, a forty-year-old cartoonist, divides his time between work and family and nurtures the dream of publishing his own comic book starring Solo Valentine, a selfish superhero who uses his powers only for himself. He is married to Paola, a successful writer. A pleasant family picture, with three daughters, Virginia (9), Ginevra (6), Melania (2), and two dogs, is thrown into crisis when Sara, an old acquaintance of Matteo's, reappears with an offer he cannot refuse: to publish his comic book on condition that he moves to Paris.
Shudder’s Host (not a particularly original title, I must say) attempts to bring the spooks to “the quarantine generation” by presenting us with a scary Zoom call during lockdown.
A film loosely based on the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, with major twists to the original story.
At least we got the original cast back, right? Not even that saves it. None of them could bring a sliver of hope to this special. Rather, they bring dread as we witness the light leaving from their eyes.
Despite its glaring flaws, First Girl I Loved is not entirely undeserving of a watch. For people who can handle the more difficult aspects of the story and graphic scenes, it is worth looking into. It’s not a film worthy of rewatch, but it may still resonate somewhat with those who need a story like this. It is a genuine, if flimsy attempt at a coming-of-age tale. Were the film to be directed by someone with experiences more similar to Anne, it would likely be more powerful--as it is, it feels like a man’s perspective of what it means to come to terms with your identity as a lesbian.
I think these messages and the way they are presented in this small-town in Texas are increasingly more important as the internet/ social media becomes more and more critical and judgemental every day. Love yourself today and every day because as Ru Paul always says: “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love someone else?”