The Host
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: March 9, 2007
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 316 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
221
Mixed:
42
Negative:
53
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9
jevans26May 23, 2012
Boasting very strong visuals (thanks to Weta and Orphanage VSFX companies), The Host is one of the most unusual and jarring films I have seen in a long time.

One second you will be wracked with emotion for the characters, deep despair...thenBoasting very strong visuals (thanks to Weta and Orphanage VSFX companies), The Host is one of the most unusual and jarring films I have seen in a long time.

One second you will be wracked with emotion for the characters, deep despair...then the director pushes it a bit further and you wonder if the scene is a joke. Just when you are comfortable enough to assume that the scene in question is a joke and laugh at it, the director throws an emotional or terrifying curve-ball that instantly sobers you and induces a bit of guilt for even laughing at the cleverly constructed joke. This entire process happens many times during the film and can last anywhere from 10-20 seconds. The Host is filmmaking at its finest. No joke.
Very few films can elicit genuine laughs without shattering the tension and integrity of the characters, and this is a VERY character centered movie. It is a sly combination of Little Miss Sunshine, Jaws, and Jurassic Park.

I could keep drooling over how wonderful this film is but, honestly, what would that accomplish. There are two major flaws in this film:
1) The Premise: How the creature comes to exist is terribly paper thin...we're talking 1950's comic book thin here. However, in the films defense, the plot uses the creature as a means to tell a powerful and compelling story through excellent and memorable characters...so the origin story doesn't actually amount to much. I would have been happy if they had just left it out entirely.

2) The way the creature moves:
When you first see the creature you will be disappointed. Promise. It gets better. I have analyzed the film to figure out why this shift from not believable to convincing (through the movie) exists and I can tell you this: it is not because of the graphics. They are beautiful start to finish. I think it is because when you first see the creature, it is hunting for the very first time and it moves super clumsy...like a toddler monster. We are not used to our cinema creatures being so inept so I think that throws western audiences off to begin with but, as mentioned, the film will quickly suck you back into the land of believability. Those were my only two complaints about the ENTIRE film.
Really.
Go see this today.… Expand
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8
SpangleSep 29, 2016
In 1954, director Gordon Douglas unleashed upon the world his now science fiction classic, Them! The film depicts the after effects of a nuclear tests that has resulted in huge killer ants. Apparently, after years of being stepped on andIn 1954, director Gordon Douglas unleashed upon the world his now science fiction classic, Them! The film depicts the after effects of a nuclear tests that has resulted in huge killer ants. Apparently, after years of being stepped on and killed with ant bait, the species was pissed at humans and were not afraid to show it. 52 years later, the same phenomenon arose in South Korea. Except, it presented the chance for fish to exact their revenge on humanity after millenia of being prey. And exact revenge is certainly the only thing this fish monster is interested in. Created as a result of an American scientist's unwillingness to properly dispose of formaldehyde, this fish is out to wreak havoc on the race that brought it into existence in the name of all of its fish friends. The Host is a truly thrilling, emotionally moving, oddly funny, and expertly executed science fiction film with clear political undertones.

Often times, films such as that offer some emotional moments wind up being far too sentimental. Bong Joon-ho avoids this trap by showcasing real, raw emotion. The pain showcased by all of the characters and the family bonds that are tested through these traumatic events bring an incredible sense of realism. These moments are not overdone or overly emotional. Rather, they are impassioned, low-key, and subtle. What is not subtle, however, is the love held by Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) for his daughter Park Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung). The two's love for one another as father and daughter is terrifically developed and feels authentic to the point that when things go awry for the two, your heart bleeds for them.

The emotional authenticity is just one solid element of this film, as the entirety of the characters are well developed. Though there is not a ton of depth given the type of film this is, what is introduced is always purposeful and used later on in the climax. This is emblematic of how tight this film is with very little filler, both in dialogue and in the general plot. The film shows us what it needs to in order for us to understand what is occurring. There are very few, if any, moments that really feel out of place or do not add to the story. While every scene is obviously not perfect, they all have a purpose and flow together incredibly well. Heck, even the odd moments of comedy tossed in the film, particularly in the refugee camp, work out pretty well and do showcase elements of the characters.

Cinematography-wise, there are a few scenes that stood out to me as being particularly well shot, namely the shot during the protest as agent yellow is released. The shot of the group of people standing with "Free Park Gang-du" shirts and being overtaken by agent yellow is tragic and beautifully executed. The shot itself is incredibly well framed with terrific use of color. Additionally, the final shot of the snack bar set against the ocean as snow falls to the ground was incredibly beautiful.

Politically, the message is clear: Bong Joon-ho does not like American or outside influence in South Korea. The military, American personnel in Korea, the doctors, and even the CDC are all shown negatively for exploiting the Koreans and not caring about what happens to them. Instead, they are shown as being more obsessed with Americans, their needs, and how it will effect the United States should any possible monster or virus appear in North America. The name "agent yellow" especially drives this home as it draws a direct link to Agent Orange in Vietnam and the disastrous effects it had on the Vietnamese and Americans in the country. Though Americans may not be literally killing Koreans at this point, it is clear that Bong Joon-ho is fearful that if their present level of indifference continues, the day in which Koreans die because of Americans is not far off. Thus, the film is not explicitly anti-American to me. Rather, it is a warning of what could happen and something that both sides should be aware of and planned ahead for.

As a whole, The Host provides thrills, emotion, and political overtones in this film about a fish monster killing people and taking them hostage (presumably to eat later). Though imperfect as it does have some iffy pacing at times and the ending feeling a little fortunate, The Host is still an incredibly tight and thrilling experience offered by Bong Joon-ho. Somehow, this is only my second film from him (Snowpiercer being the other). Clearly, I need to see more, even if Snowpiercer was just okay.… Expand
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10
sammyramoneAug 29, 2012
This movie takes a tired genre and makes it fresh again.The Host has a assort met off genre all mixed together but the main one is the giant monster genre though,This movie is a satire/dramedy/horror/movie monster/thriller and suspense.TheThis movie takes a tired genre and makes it fresh again.The Host has a assort met off genre all mixed together but the main one is the giant monster genre though,This movie is a satire/dramedy/horror/movie monster/thriller and suspense.The acting in this film is amazing every actor feels right for the role in the get go, storyline isn't weak either it's start out simple than turns into a suspense thriller.The Special effects even though it might look not all that good but it works.Great epic story of how a overly worried problem helps a family come together for once.… Expand
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8
TheRimRiderNov 5, 2015
Fresh, exciting and not your typical cliched Hollywood rubbish. Loved it. Great effects, real tension and all the elements you want in a horror/action film. Those who dont get it should go back to crap like Godzilla.
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9
MacReady10Mar 15, 2014
Amo veramente questo regista, anche in un moster movie riesce a tenere acceso il cervello. Regia e fotografia impeccabile, ottimo ritmo, bravissimi attori. Si riescono anche ad affrontare molte tematiche come la stupidità dei governi, laAmo veramente questo regista, anche in un moster movie riesce a tenere acceso il cervello. Regia e fotografia impeccabile, ottimo ritmo, bravissimi attori. Si riescono anche ad affrontare molte tematiche come la stupidità dei governi, la costante presente dell'esercito americano, l'inquinamento e molti altri. Un bellissimo film per un regista che comincia anche a farsi conoscere, FINALMENTE, anche in occidente.… Expand
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7
Meth-dudeFeb 14, 2020
With great acting performances, CGI effects that hold up surprisingly well, an interesting although a bit cliché story and likeable characters, "The Host" is not only a great satire, but it's a great monster movie.
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8
CineAutoctonoOct 7, 2017
"The Host" was a sensational film, the special effects were very good, the story was good, and the performances were great, a never-to-be-missed movie.
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7
tethysdustJun 9, 2017
It seems like Hollywood loves gratuitous violence, and South Korea loves gratuitous sadness. The film was entertaining and really funny at points, but I don't understand why every Korean movie I watch has to be so sad.
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8
johnslegersJan 3, 2016
I watched "Gwoemul" aka "The Host" expecting a campy monster movie in the style of Godzilla or Cloverfield and while I was watching it I learned it was actually a social critique of post-modern South-Korean society and most particular theI watched "Gwoemul" aka "The Host" expecting a campy monster movie in the style of Godzilla or Cloverfield and while I was watching it I learned it was actually a social critique of post-modern South-Korean society and most particular the destructive nature of American political and cultural influence. This critique was done with a clever mixture of drama and comedy behind the backdrop of a monster story and filled with far more symbolism than I've ever seen in any European or American film. The cinematography and the special effects were also more than decent.

Fans of typical monster movies probably won't like this film since it's just not a typical monster movie by any standard. If you are, however, a fan of political satire and you're not afraid of some cultural experimentation you may consider this a masterpiece.… Expand
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7
alejandro970Aug 5, 2018
The korean counterpart of Godzilla works so much as well as ecological context; but? The matter is the mutant critter is not enough scary, the plot lacks of enough suspense and walks to slow.
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5
BroyaxJan 12, 2017
Les films coréens sont bizarres en général et en particulier celui-ci, ce "drôle" de film avec un gros monstre dedans... un "drôle" de film, car on ne sait jamais si c'est de lard ou du cochon, une caricature à l'insu de son ignorance, uneLes films coréens sont bizarres en général et en particulier celui-ci, ce "drôle" de film avec un gros monstre dedans... un "drôle" de film, car on ne sait jamais si c'est de lard ou du cochon, une caricature à l'insu de son ignorance, une franche comédie ou un drame larmoyant mélodramatique violoneux comme les Coréens savent (aussi) le faire.

Bref, on ne sait pas sur quel pied danser et c'est fort désagréable parce que du coup, on a bien l'air con. Quand le monstre bouffe des gens pour les régurgiter ensuite (!) on se dit que c'est pour rigoler (?) ; le coup de l'agent jaune (en référence sans nul doute à l'agent orange du Vietnam) est-ce du pur cynisme ou une simple pique à l'égard des Américains ? ; cette espèce de famille constituée de crétins complètement idiots qui partent à la chasse au monstre, la fleur au fusil, c'est bien pour rire, non ?...

Putain, je suis perdu. C'est comme cette fin mi-figue mi-raisin. Mais bon, en dehors de ces considérations d'interprétations, le film bénéficie d'une mise en scène très correcte malgré un budget apparemment limité (les effets spéciaux sont pauvres, pour ne pas dire minables) et malgré ses presque deux heures, on ne s'y ennuie pas ! ce qui n'est déjà pas si mal, finalement.… Expand
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9
MahmusSep 30, 2020
What starts a fun B-movie creature feature quickly turns into a dark and deeply depressing movie.
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8
pasqvalenzisiMay 1, 2020
Registicamente è un capolavoro. La fotografia è stupenda e gli attori sono superlativi. Si potrebbe scomodare la parola capolavoro, se non fosse che, guardandolo nel 2020, ci si accorge dei pessimi effetti speciali. Assolutamente un must seeRegisticamente è un capolavoro. La fotografia è stupenda e gli attori sono superlativi. Si potrebbe scomodare la parola capolavoro, se non fosse che, guardandolo nel 2020, ci si accorge dei pessimi effetti speciali. Assolutamente un must see per tutti gli appassionati di cinema. Le critiche sulla pochezza della trama o sui personaggi buffoneschi si perdono completamente nella cornice stupenda che offre questo film.… Expand
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8
AcidCasualFeb 7, 2022
What’s obvious straight away is that the CGI is outdated, but limited in such a way it doesn’t matter. What this film does really well is a consistent art direction and and good acting. The cinematography is similar to Nolan in the sense ofWhat’s obvious straight away is that the CGI is outdated, but limited in such a way it doesn’t matter. What this film does really well is a consistent art direction and and good acting. The cinematography is similar to Nolan in the sense of depth and symmetry mixed with rugged motion and beautiful scale. But just not as grand or executed as good. It upholds it’s cultural symbolism, which makes it interesting. The only let down is the pacing and the monster.

Great Film.… Expand
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9
DarkwingSchmuckJul 27, 2023
A smart and wildly entertaining horror film. Gory, funny, and thrilling, The Host is a can't miss for horror fans from director Bong Joon-ho.
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