Tools for this page
Print

The Host

(2007, Rated R, Horror, Starring Kang-ho Song, Ah-sung Ko, Du-na Bae)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • 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 iffy for Ages 15–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The central family counters the officials' deceit and oppression with displays of courage, loyalty, and intelligence; homeless kids and man are brave in the face of danger.
 

What to watch out for

  • Role models :

    Korean and U.S. officials (police, media, medical, military) commit illegal acts and/or engage in cover-up;
  • Violence:

    Multiple attacks by monster. It chases, terrifies, eats/chomps, throws/drops, and dismembers human victims; dog attacks owner; suspected infection victims are dragged off in plastic bags (resembling body bags); humans fight monster and each other with guns; brief scene shows brain surgery (some cutting and drilling); Nam-joo shoots monster with arrows; homeless man pours gasoline on monster so flaming arrow can light it on fire; children confront monster in sewer (dark shadows, tense moments, brave kids); memorial services and mourning; sad scene showing a child's death.
  • Sex:

    Brief reference to an ex-wife who "popped out the baby and ran off" brief shot of girls' legs under a table.
  • Language:

    In subtitles: several uses of "f--k," plus other language ("s--t," "god damn," "bastard," and "bitch"), as well as "Jesus Christ."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Homeless man is drunk on soju (Korean rice-based alcoholic beverage).
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Host

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Host?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0

    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...

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    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!!!! :)

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    TOTALY SUCKED!

    This movie was the worst movie I have ever watched in my life!!! It was boring, no action, just VERY CHEESY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    15+

    I THNIK ITS OVER SEX RELI

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Amazing

    Great dramatic movie (animation kinda sucked)! Good action! I gave this a five star!

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 0.0

    Absolutely Terrible

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name