Hostel -2006

Director : Eli Roth

Writer : Eli Roth

Composer :Nathan Barr

Running Time :  1 hr 35 mins

Rating : R

Cast : Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson, Lenka Vlasakova, Shane Daly, Jan Vlasak, Eythor Gudjonsson

             Eli Roths, Hostel  film brings something entirely different to splatter films. Hostel is a thoroughly intriguing twist on the splatter horror genre. This movie waits well over 30 minutes before showing even a hint of violence, it doesn’t even convey heavy-handed foreshadowing – except with the music score and a growing sense of ‘it’s too good to be true’ that begins to create ill-at-ease feelings during the first 25 minutes. But when the violence comes, writer/ director Eli Roth does not hold back. It’s intense and vicious, of the sort that’s going to appeal to those who enjoy hardcore gore movies. And since it unfolds after the movie has already established a foundation of story and characters, it’s extra horrific. 

      The story begins as such tales often do as two friends backpack across Europe, winding up in the hotbed of youth experiences, Amsterdam. Paxton (Jay Hernandez) takes greatefforts to set Josh (Derek Richardson) up with a girl despite his meagerprotests. They are accompanied by well-traveled Icelander Oli (EythorGudjonsson) whose limited ability with English makes him the corney comic relief. The Backpackers hear about a hostel in another town and decide to head out , once there they learn the inevitable dark secrets of the town. While the idea of a pay-for-torture service for the wealthy isn’t an entirely new concept in movies, (check out 8 MM) it’s handled with grim effectiveness by Cabin Fever writer and director Eli Roth. We know by film’s end that the concept is perfectly possible but the reality of the capture and torture is what keeps the film alive. Eli Coined the phrase of torture porn as GorNo.
     When Paxton is finally captured, the scenes of his  incarceration and the beginnings of his torture are as realistic as any fan of the genre could hope for. Evenwhen he’s begging for his life, we can feel his inner turmoil and fear. Its realistic and just the jolt the film needs to avoid being relegated to the Typical Horror Plot line.........This film is as good as it gets for splatter cinema, filled with twists and heavy gore and a fair amount of nudity. If these are elements you ask for in horror then Hostels your film!

7/10 Stars