The Host
The Host
An American military base of Yongson releases toxic chemicals in the drain to the Han River under the direct order of an arrogant U.S. Army coroner. Six years later, a mutant squid monster leaves the water and attacks people on the side of the river.
rg9400 reviewedNovember 1, 2024
The Host has all the hallmarks of being a bad movie: dated CGI, extreme overacting, and cheesy dialogue. Yet, it manages to transcend all of those, becoming much greater than the sum of its parts. From its opening scene set among a dimly lit laboratory and the corrosive steam wafting up from the chemicals being poured down the sink, you can tell that Bong Joon-ho has complete mastery over this movie, creating gorgeous cinematography despite the monster's clear CGI. Though the characters seem initially over the top, it becomes easy to quickly become enamored with this family, each facing their own struggles. Our main character in particular, Gang-du, makes multiple very clear mistakes caused by his carelessness with disastrous consequences, and I still was rooting for him to grow and redeem himself by the end of the movie. His siblings, to a lesser extent, follow similar arcs. Real terror and fear suffuse the movie as it becomes clear that no one is truly safe, and this brings real tension throughout the movie. Finally, this wouldn't be a Bong Joon-ho movie without sociopolitical commentary, and certainly there is a subtext showcasing the ineffectiveness and culpability of both the US and Korean governments. I would say this isn't exactly the central focus of the movie because it's still a very personal story about a family, but it's something that is present throughout. Overall, a thoroughly entertaining movie that is really well-crafted despite some flaws that hopefully do not turn people away.