Review: "The Host" (2006)

More than a chilling horror movie, “The Host” is also a taut drama and sometimes slapstick comedy about a dysfunctional family that comes together to battle both monster and man in order to save one of their own.

The story revolves around the Park family headed by the owner of a tiny snack stand on the banks of Seoul's Han River. He lives with his dimwitted, slacker son Gang-du and Gang-du’s teenage daughter, Hyun-Seo. Rounding out the family is Gang-du’s sister, an Olympic caliber archer, and younger brother, an angry unemployed college graduate. One bright sunny day, a squid-like monster from the river emerges to feed on humans, capturing Hyun-Seo and carrying her off to his lair for a later snack. When a call from a cell phone reveals that Hyun-Seo is alive and trapped in a large sewer, the family galvanizes to save her.

“The Host” delivers a unique twist on the chills and thrills expected of a monster movie. Sure the fish-like creature is horrific to look upon and preys on human flesh but it also has some fine acrobatic talents that enable it to dive gracefully off a bridge into the river with minimal splashing or execute a series of back flips worthy of an Olympic gymnast. The expected “monster chase” sequence at the beginning is visually stunning and truly scary even though all the action occurs in broad daylight.

Scary bits aside, some of the most poignant moments are the quiet scenes with Gang-du and his family as they begin to reconnect and learn to trust each other. Each character is fleshed out and has a unique obstacle to overcome and so we care about them and root for their success, especially as it becomes obvious that they can only rely upon themselves.

“The Host” is also unique is that it’s one of few horror movies that delivers biting social satire. Not only do the Parks have to battle their own inner demons, they have to dodge the clutches of the local authorities who think they’re contaminated by a virus. As officials round up the populace, disregarding civil liberties and all common sense in the process while fueling ever greater levels of panic and chaos, and unleash a dangerous plan to destroy the monster, we come to realize that the focus of our horror is not so much the creature but the inept and deceptive government and its disregard for humanity and the environment.