HOSTEL

cast :: Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson, Eythor Gudjonsson, Barbara Nedeljakova...
director :: Eli Roth
writer :: Eli Roth



review date :: 09/17/05
written by :: suj
rating :: 10/10

THE PLOT____________

Two American friends go backpacking through Europe looking for excitement, girls and drugs and all the stuff that you can’t find in America. Someone tells them that if they want to meet girls, they got to go to Slovakia where there are tons of beautiful girls who’ll have sex with anyone who’s a foreigner. So these two guys and their Icelandic friend go to this place, and it all turns out to be true; but then the next day they find themselves in a whole lot of trouble and we realize there’s something really horrible, awful and sick going on there.

THE REVIEW_____________________________

Sadistic, aggressive, unsettling, brutal, cruel, vicious, shocking, humorous, malicious, vindictive, spiteful, filthy, unpleasant, vile, entertaining, grotesque, fierce, disturbing, bloody, unhinged, ferocious, and disgusting, are just some of the words that can best describe Eli Roth’s “Hostel”. It’s brutal as it is shocking and for some it may actually be difficult to watch or perhaps even to stomach. It’s the type of movie no matter how old you are it will make you revert back to adolescence and squirm in your seat like a little baby. It personifies the genre of “Horror” and rejuvenates North America’s seemingly watered down plate to rival the genre films of Asian Cinema. Here, Eli Roth has made the most daring and profound horror film of recent memory.

If you’re thinking that this flick is going to be like Eli Roth's pervious work, Cabin Fever, let me make it perfectly clear that this film is NOT like Cabin Fever. I’ll go to the extent of saying its more like an insane doppelganger. It looks the same from the bloody exterior, but the gut-filled interior is far more intriguing. Sure, Hostel has the impeccable ability within itself to blend the laughs with the horror much like Cabin Fever, but unlike Cabin when this flick turns it fucking turns...hard. It becomes this hellish nightmare of blood, vomit, severed limbs, and even more blood. Its pure horror. Claustrophobic and real. Terror without becoming over the top. The violence is paced and lets you catch your breath. You experience the mayhem in the most uncomfortable of ways. Its carnage is suspenseful and scary. The story unfolds in such a way that you are able to follow, but it's not until the final act that you fully get what's going on. It doesn't fall into the predictable Hollywood clichés. And its best not to know a whole lot about the film in grave detail before seeing it as it will spoil all the fun, so I won’t dwell on the specifics of it all besides the essential plot (mentioned above). Though, I will say that it's exceptionally well-acted with a cast of, for the most part, completely un-knowns. Jay Hernandez is solid as Paxton the films “hero” and during the final act you can’t help but cheer. Derek Richardson is a damn talented actor and in particular scene he will make you tremble in your seat. Eythor Gudjonsson is a find as Oli a fun-loving, king of swing, Icelandic hitchhiker. And then you have gorgeous Barbara Nedeljakova as the films resident topless sinister hottie Natalya.

The film is just fucking glorious and horrific at the same time. I just can’t get over the fact that I love this movie so much. I just want to jot down every single moment that I adored. I want to spoil everything. But I won’t because I want people to feel the terror and joy in a film like this whenever it is released (although it will be trimmed down considerably by the ratings board). It satisfies and leaves you hanging on for more with its ambiguous close. It’s a movie that will have you talking about it long after you walk to your car still reeling from the picture show flashed upon your delicate eyes.

Now, for the big question: Are the mainstream North American audiences ready for a movie like "Hostel"? No, not really. Because people are too accustomed to horror films billed as thrillers all dishing out a “supernatural” premise. People are too accustomed to horror films billed as slashers all dishing out a manic masked killer who preys on innocent teens. The North American audiences are not ready for a horror film that is an actual horror film. A horror film in the sense of Takashi Miike (Audition) with the sensibilities of lets say Chan-Wook Park (Oldboy). It’s the type horror film that North America cannot make and that the Asian Markets put out by the dozens. But thanks to Eli Roth all that is about to change.

Eli Roth you are one sick mother fucker and I must applaud you for that. Thank you for making such a gruesome and fulfilling flick that I can’t wait to see again.

AS SEEN AT THE 2005 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL



notes: Special Effects weren't finished yet and also the film was screened as unrated.