Parents' Guide to

The Host

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

South Korean creature feature is wild and witty.

Movie R 2007 119 minutes
The Host Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 4 parent reviews

charles daniels
charles daniels Adult
May 11, 2013
age 12+

very overrated

This movie really looked like it was going to be good, there was lots of positive reviews from critics on the back of the dvd, the trailer looked good, and it seemed like i was in for a treat, well, i wasnt. The host is about two Korean scientists who dump a bunch of waste or acid into a lake, and the next day, a monster jumps out of the same lake, and starts attacking people, and it kidnaps a little girl. Ok first problem, how come out of all the thousands of hundreds of fish in that lake, only ONE is affected by the acid?. Second, the monster looks like a giant toad mixed with a cat fish, it really looks pathetic, the cgi is really bad too. Third, "the host" jumps everywhere, i mean, one minute, its a horror film, the next minute, its a comedy, the next minute its a drama, I mean, some movies can actually pull that off, but "the host" couldn't. Fourth, This movie is BORING, i mean, theres no suspense to it, for a long period in the movie, the monster isn't even on screen, its just the stupid family members of the kidnapped girl driving around and saying the stupidest dialogue ever. Anyway, as far as parental concern, this movie has some blood when the monster kills people, there is some strong language, but its not frequent, and theres no sexual content, i guess its OK for 12 and up. Bottom line is, the host is heavily overrated and it annoys me how they actually compare this movie with JAWS, yup, they compare a lackluster monster flick like the host to a masterpiece like jaws, anyway, horror fans will be disappointed, comedy fans will be disappointed, oh heck, basically any one with a good taste in movies, don't waste your time or money on this crap.
Plague
Plague Parent
June 9, 2010
age 13+

The Host

This is a perfect monster movies for teens.
See all 4 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (9):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

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