Honestly, i think it depends on the kid. And what the parent will allow. Some parents let their child be exposed to more mature content. If your Child has already read the book then i would say let them see it, because the book if far more detailed then the movie. But if your child is not exposed to this sort of content then i would recommend on you seeing it your self and then deciding for your child. Or if your not up for seeing the movie then read the book, or read a summery. Overall you would wanna let your child mature gradually over time. Listen to what they have to say about it, try with no interruptions this will give the child the option to give you their side of the story.I know im gonna see it. I am just beginning to read the book it is a little complicated if you would like then you could have your child read the book and then they could see the movie of vice versa. I really do think the child and parent(s)/guardian should discuss it. unless your just gonna let your child see it. AND this is coming from a 13 year old girl. :) - molly
The Host
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
South Korean creature feature is wild and witty.
Themes in this movie include: family relationships, friendship
updated 09.22.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–18
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Host was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Parents need to know that creature-feature loving teens will want to see this movie, subtitles or no. If they go, they'll see plenty of scenes of the half-fish, half-reptile monster chasing, attacking, eating, and ripping up its human victims (its lair is filled with corpses and bones). In fact, the CGI-heavy violence is so excessive that it ends up being somewhat comedic. Humans use a variety of weapons against the monster (and each other), including guns, arrows (some flaming), and gas. The government lies about a virus and then assaults demonstrators with a toxic gas called "Agent Yellow." Some mourning scenes show characters crying over lost loved ones. Subtitled swearing includes multiple uses of "f--k" and plenty more salty language.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about monster movies. What's the appeal of creature features like this one?\ Families can also talk about the Parks' bravery. What brings them together with unity and purpose?
- How does the movie update and also pay homage to classic monster movies that warn against human carelessness and arrogance, like Godzilla?
- Are the characters in this movie being warned against anything? What could the creature be a symbol of?
- How does Hyun-seo become a hero in the film, rather than only a victim?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on The Host
What’s the Story?
A sinister U.S. military pathologist (Scott Wilson) instructs a minion to dump formaldehyde into South Korean waters. This act produces a ghastly mutation -- part fish, part reptile -- that emerges from a river in broad daylight and attacks a crowd, killing some and kidnapping others. Among the abductees is 11-year-old Hyun-seo (Ah-sung Ko). At first, her family -- including her father, Gang-Du (Kang-ho Song), and grandfather Hie-bong (Hie-bong Byeon) -- grieve along with other similarly afflicted Seoul citizens. Carted off and quarantined for possible monster contamination, Gang-Du is despondent until he gets a cell-phone call from his daughter, who describes the place where the monster has dumped her as a "really big sewer." With that, Gang-Du -- with help from his father, unemployed brother Nam-il (Hae-il Park), and champion archer sister Nam-Joo (Du-na Bae) -- sets off to find her, no matter what lies the government tells them.
Is It Any Good?
The top-grossing movie in South Korean history, THE HOST (Gwoemul) is a wild, rewarding ride that's equal parts creature feature, cautionary tale, family melodrama, and political critique. Its influences are many, from Godzilla, Jaws, and Alien to The Thing and Sally Mann's photographs.
While the Parks' adventure follows some conventions (family bickering and bonding, inscrutable monstrosity, institutional obstructions), Joon-ho Bong's film offers all sorts of brilliant visual surprises. Hyun-seo and her family are courageous. Looking small in her schoolgirl's plaid skirt, the girl makes her way through the shadowy underground, her face smudged with grime, determined to combat the creature as it threatens a very frightened younger boy. At once poignant and grim, she's a terrific young heroine.
Movie Details
Studio: Magnolia Pictures, Director: Joon-ho Bong
Run time: 119 minutes
Theatrical release: 3/8/2007, DVD release: 7/24/2007
MPAA Rating: R for creature violence and language.
Run time: 119 minutes
Theatrical release: 3/8/2007, DVD release: 7/24/2007
MPAA Rating: R for creature violence and language.
Our Members Say
See all 10 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
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I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
10 year olds might love it though...
over used CGI.. turned horrific scenes into comedy...some nice parts ..overall just ok, reccomended to watch only when bored to death and have nothing else to do...
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Lives in OhioI rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
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I rate this title pause for age 13 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Absolutely Terrible
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Amazing
Great dramatic movie (animation kinda sucked)! Good action! I gave this a five star!
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
15+
I THNIK ITS OVER SEX RELI
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
TOTALY SUCKED!
This movie was the worst movie I have ever watched in my life!!! It was boring, no action, just VERY CHEESY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Mildly entertaining flick with some lame effects but way better acting.
This is by far one of the hardest reviews I'll ever have to give!!!! First off, it's it's kinda PG-13 in my opinion except for the big-bang swears(infrequent), blood, and the deadly virus aspect may freak some people out but only in a light degree since not much is shown related to the virus. There's a frightening medical scene as well when they think the man saying his daughter is alive in a sewer somewhere so they declare him with dementia and attempt to drill into his head. He then takes a syringe filled with his blood and holds a girl hostage saying if he isn't let go, he has the virus and can spread it. He goes on a rampage, etc. That and the chaotic opening sequence where the mutant goes on a flat-out rampage killing people(one disturbing scene includes a mob of people trapped in a metal room with the monster screaming "HELP US!!!! AH!!!!" preceding a very violent blood splattering noise and bloody hands clawing to get out, resulting in, yes, blood to be dripping off the sides due to their hands....BLOOD.)The girl is then taken and presumed dead, bla bla bla bla, it goes on and they need to escape, bla bla bla bla, virus, bla bla bla bla, police, death, etc. This story tends to drag on in most parts except for a funny part where it shows pictures of everyone who had died from the mutant in a gym filled with people crying and afraid which is when the family's part comes in and they start sobbing their eyes out, punching, kicking, and so forth until police and people wearing hazmat suits have to take them away!!!! Going further, I'd release a ton of spoilers related to this sorta cheesy thriller. I'm surprised it did so well, but the whole Japanese subtitles and/or dubbing gives it an edge....of some sort. So violence and some language is a factor, but sex and alcoholism are out(very mild). Alcohol and drugs come in only in one part where the father gives the daughter beer and says "Eh, you're close enough to 21, right?" and some other mentionings. Other than that, clean as a whistle. It's an OK flick if you wanna be entertained....for nearly 3 hour(that's a downside). So, yeah, 2 stars in my book. Pros....cons....difficult to really rate it officially. I dunno. Great acting definitely brings it up, as well as the incredibly ending, but as for the kinda lame effects, and drag-on moments....DOWN. Up, down, up, down, oh my god just rent it, it's fine, whatever!!!! :)
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
The Host
This movie is just alot of fun. It's original, suspenseful, funny, even a bit emotional near the end - just an all-around great monster flick. Recommended for those who want something different AND extremely entertaining.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
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