The Host

March 2013

(794)

Synopsis

From Stephenie Meyer, the creator of the worldwide phenomenon The Twilight Saga, comes this daring and romantic thriller based on The New York Times #1 bestselling novel. When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over humans' bodies and erasing their minds, Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) risks everything to protect the people she cares about most, proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world. The Host is a passionate and powerful epic love story co-starring Diane Kruger, Jake Abel, Frances Fisher, Max Irons and William Hurt.

Reviews

4.0

794 total

5 430

4 135

3 100

2 55

1 74

Tom Charity

This is pretty silly stuff, Twi-lite if you will, but played with maximum solemnity, no discernible humor and minimal excitement.

Owen Gleiberman

[A] bizarre Saturday Night Live sketch about a girl with a bratty alien inside her.

Tirdad Derakhshani

The Host isn't very good as a romance. There's not very much passion on screen, which makes the film a poor cousin to Twilight.

James Berardinelli

The movie's structure is awkward. There's no real narrative thrust.

Alan Scherstuhl

The Host's infelicities-drab dialogue, ridiculous plotting, more emotional crises than there is story-are enlivened by its thematic eccentricities.

Nancy Churnin

Fear and dread of "the other" have long ruled American science fiction, fantasy, suspense thrillers and politics... How jarring then, and refreshing, to see The Host... take the invaders' point of view.

Critic reviews

Tom Charity

This is pretty silly stuff, Twi-lite if you will, but played with maximum solemnity, no discernible humor and minimal excitement.

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

[A] bizarre Saturday Night Live sketch about a girl with a bratty alien inside her.

Full Review

Tirdad Derakhshani

The Host isn't very good as a romance. There's not very much passion on screen, which makes the film a poor cousin to Twilight.

Full Review

James Berardinelli

The movie's structure is awkward. There's no real narrative thrust.

Full Review

Alan Scherstuhl

The Host's infelicities-drab dialogue, ridiculous plotting, more emotional crises than there is story-are enlivened by its thematic eccentricities.

Full Review

Nancy Churnin

Full Review

Mick LaSalle

Neither romantic nor fake romantic, and not at all ridiculous, The Host has an atmosphere that is cold, austere and sardonic.

Full Review

User reviews

Jimm G August 19, 2014

I wanted to like it I really wanted to like this movie... I really did, but it was so lame!! The acting was poor all around. The 2 boyfriends were too similar and confusing. The script was lame. 2 stars because for the plot and Saoirse Ronan is just plain cute.

Tyler Eberhardt December 22, 2013

Great movie with a twist. I love this movie way too much. It's an amazing story and I was honestly disappointed that it had to end. I love the mixture of sci-fi and romance. The end made me tear up.

Ramon. Monreal July 17, 2013

Dumb So so so stupid not even a good story line. Great idea for a good syfi movie but ruined cause of that retarded love triangle sorry love box they had expected better

Nelson Cn July 10, 2013

speechless! Didn't know there was a book, didn't read it. The movie was awesome. These are the types of movies I watch.. The kind that expand your horizons and make you feel warm and fuzzy lol! Nonetheless, she is an awesome actress and I look forward to any movie she stars in! If you haven't already watch "The Lovely Bones" and "Hanna". She's a powerful actress! Movie was awesome :) goodnight~!

Kevin Baker July 14, 2013

Terrible Probably the worst movie I've ever seen in my life. Bland, boring, terrible acting, plot loopholes galore, slow, terrible character development... Don't waste your time

Jody Cates July 9, 2013

Easy pace, thoughtful, enjoyable. Just a decent, cool story, not a roller coaster but not tedious or boring either. I read the book and expected something pretty lame. Instead I got a beautifully made very decent adaptation. I read reviewers complaining about the dialogue but you're getting caught up in the thetorical style in this movie you're watching the wrong things. Movies like this call for you to let go of second guessing every element and just step into the world drawn. The only funny thing to me was that a couple of the humans looked like they should be vampires on Twilight.

Erin Walker January 1, 2014

Not as bad as expected for a teen romance This isn't as bad as some reviews made it seem to be. I read the book years ago and didn't re-read before watching. It wasn't really needed as most of the major plot points are the same and overall it is a good adaptation. However, I was very surprise, upset, and disappointed that it wasn't kept in Arizona. Not only is the author from that state, but that is literally where just about everything in the book happens. Also, I am an Arizona native and was looking forward to the possibility of seeing familiar mountain ranges. (Spoilers ahead) Other than that though I was surprised at how good the movie got once she (Wanderer) made it to the humans hideout. True, it could have been seen as cheesy in some places with how lines were delivered. But if you read the book (hell if you've even seen any of the Twilight movies) that should have been expected. This book and story was a lot better than others that Stephanie Meyer has written and I was happy with how the movie turned out.

Randy Wentworth July 17, 2013

Ludicrous ending! First half wasn't too onerous but, lord, did it ever slide off the cliff soon after that and then sank deep into one of the silliest endings imaginable. Some of the cast are known big names so they must have lost a really big bet to end up having to be in this really embarrassing turkey. Invading aliens who wipe out humanity are really the peace loving pacifist good guys who are wronged by the evil Americans. Really?!

Joshua Prince July 19, 2013

To each, their own!!, just choose ur flavor right :) I absolutely love this movie. The 'what if' factor peaked so many times. Great sci-fi mixed into a classic romance scenario delivered to the viewer, precise timing. For those of u that seem to be rating it cuzz the scenario's realism????. REALLY?. Do u not see the genres? DUH. sci-fi. Its fictional, jeeesh. Know ur flavor folks, & stick ur choice of taste.

Faith Angel July 26, 2013

Host A great love story, action, its all in one movie How real! to love people one body two loves how cool is that!!!?

MAXIMUM MATRIX Nikhil December 28, 2013

I watched this movie and i was like "OMG!!!!! THIS IS THE GREATEST MOVIE IN THE WORLD" I always hated the twilight series but this movie from one of her latest books is like the kinda movies i love to watch i mean this movie made me wanna be in the movie i love those kinda movies that include invasion amd sifi stuff that have something to do with space. I am soo reading the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tryed to get it on my phone from this other site that formatted my whole phone i lost all my stuff i loved soo much. But then i was like forget it this movie for me is worth looseing all that stuff.

Stephanie Benitez December 29, 2013

My new fav movie This movie is amazing. Period. I love all the characters, especially "Wanda." She was loving and caring. I just love it DEFINITELY WATCH

Hadi Akharas July 15, 2013

very soft sci.fi A a-la-twilight scifi with plenty of romance and romantic drama. A good middle ground if your girl friend hates scifi or if your boyfriend hates drama (or vice-versa)

codi worcester June 16, 2014

Best Stephanie meyer love plot BY FAR Beats the suckpire saga by a mile. But its always has to be about one ggrl and two guy's that both end up loving one girl thatcame from another if you get what im saying... edward, bella. Jacob renesmae. Than the alien gets pulled from the girls body in the host so both guys get the girl

Konner Moshier August 16, 2013

Worst movie ever This movie w about as good as dirt. Terrible citing and pretty much jut stupid

Lenise Lockley December 24, 2013

Too long This movie had a plot that plodded along for 45 minutes longer than it should have. I found myself fast forwarding thorough about 30 minutes and realized I hadn't missed a thing. Don't waste your money. interesting concept poor writing and execution. Typical of Stephanie meyer

Zach Hall July 14, 2014

Crap and a wast of your time This movie is nothing but crap it has a lame crappy story not its not even worth my time coomenting on this crap

digital xlyns September 23, 2014

good film shows the real trait of accepting different species and getting along far more exiting that the ones denying anything different and proclaiming their superiority in fact to hide a lack of humanity. Humanity is not "beeing human" but to accept all that is not and live with it together

염재현 December 26, 2013

Loved this movie I didn't expect much because of the bad reviews. But it's really a good movie. Right. The story isn't perfect, but it didn't annoy me at all.

Bella Thorn July 22, 2013

The best Best movie ever! I thought it was boring cause the book was long. Then I watched it it was slow but the best

Cast and credits

Actors	Saoirse Ronan, Jake Abel, Max Irons, Boyd Holbrook, Frances Fisher, Chandler Canterbury, Scott Lawrence, Diane Kruger, William Hurt
Producers	Nick Wechsler, Steve Schwartz, Paula Mae Schwartz, Stephenie Meyer
Director	Andrew Niccol
Writers	Andrew Niccol

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

Audio language

English (Stereo)

Subtitles

English

Rental period

Start within 30 days, finish within 24 hours.

Info cards

Enabled

Run time

125 minutes

Rating

PG-13

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