The Host
The Host

Movie spotlight

The Host

2006
Movie
120 min
Korean

A teenage girl is captured by a giant mutated squid-like creature that appears from Seoul's Han River after toxic waste was dumped in it, prompting her family into a frantic search for her.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes91%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users86%
Director: Bong Joon-hoGenres: Sci-Fi, Horror, Drama, Thriller, Monster

Plot Summary

A giant monster emerges from Seoul's Han River, causing widespread panic and taking a young girl hostage. Her dysfunctional family, comprised of a meek father, a pawnshop owner grandfather, an athletic aunt, and a slacker uncle, must overcome their own issues and work together to rescue her from the creature. Their desperate efforts lead them into a chaotic confrontation with the monstrous threat and indifferent government authorities.

Critical Reception

Bong Joon-ho's 'The Host' was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its innovative blend of genres, its sharp social commentary, and its surprisingly emotional core. Audiences were captivated by its unique take on the monster movie trope, finding it both thrilling and profoundly moving.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterful blend of genre elements, offering thrilling monster action alongside heartfelt family drama.

  • Praised for its sharp social satire and Bong Joon-ho's distinctive directorial vision.

  • Hailed as a unique and entertaining take on the creature feature, with strong character development.

Google audience: Audiences lauded 'The Host' for its originality and emotional depth, appreciating its ability to balance intense monster movie thrills with genuine family dynamics and dark humor. Many found the film to be a refreshing and engaging cinematic experience.

Awards & Accolades

Won numerous awards including Best Film at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Best Director at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes.

Fun Fact

The design of the monster was inspired by an old Korean folk tale about a creature called 'Imugi' and was also influenced by the environmental pollution of the Han River.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
GeekyRedhead

GeekyRedhead

These sites all missed the point. It's farce, it's funny. I actually liked the creature! He's kinda gruesomely-cute! Don't expect drama. It's all tongue-in-cheek, reminiscent of the old Godzilla creature films.

Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

This is a monster horror movie that really tries, to the point where they don’t give a clear view of the creature in the previews, presumably not to ruin the initial shock moment for the viewer. It is in Korean with English subtitles, with ...

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