The Host
The Han River runs through the heart of Seoul and when the US military dumps
toxic chemicals in the river, a monstrous mutant creature is conceived in its
waters. Then suddenly the creature reveals itself and creates a path of
destruction on the local residents by the river. Gang-du (Song Kang-ho, star of
JSA, SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE), who operates a snack bar on the riverbank,
witnesses his only daughter, Hyun-seo, taken away by the creature right before
his eyes.
The sudden and shocking appearance of the mutant creature renders the
government and state powerless to act. The once-ordinary citizen, Gang-du, and
his family, sneak past the military cordon and are thrust into a battle with the
monster in a desperate attempt to rescue Hyun-seo and they are forced into an
unstoppable showdown with the mutant monster.
Critic Reviews:
- " As ebullient and bizarre as a monster that can do back flips, leaving
the viewer in a shock of delight. " – Liam Lacey
- " A horror thriller, a political satire, a dysfunctional family comedy,
and a touching melodrama, Bong Joon-ho's The Host is also one helluva monster
movie. " – Jim Emerson
- " This is a ton of fun and puts most Hollywood monster movies to shame
" – Rachel Wagner