Hostel (2005)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Eli Roth

Writer (WGA):

Eli Roth (written by)

Release Date:

6 January 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Welcome To Your Worst Nightmare

Plot:

Three backpackers head to a Slovakian city that promises to meet their hedonistic expectations, with no idea of the hell that awaits them.

Plot Keywords:

Hostel | Europe | Bratislava | Backpacker | Friend

Awards:

4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Jay Hernandez	...	Paxton
Derek Richardson	...	Josh
Eythor Gudjonsson	...	Oli
Barbara Nedeljakova	...	Natalya
Jan Vlasák	...	The Dutch Businessman
Jana Kaderabkova	...	Svetlana
Jennifer Lim	...	Kana
Keiko Seiko	...	Yuki
Lubomir Bukovy	...	Alex
Jana Havlickova	...	Vala
Rick Hoffman	...	The American Client
Petr Janis	...	The German Surgeon
Takashi Miike	...	Miike Takashi
Patrik Zigo	...	Bubble Gum Gang Leader (as Zigo Patrik)
Milda Jedi Havlas	...	Desk Clerk Jedi

Also Known As:

Hostel: Part I (Australia) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for brutal scenes of torture and violence, strong sexual content, language and drug use.

Runtime:

94 min | Philippines:93 min (cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Czech | German | Dutch | Slovak | Japanese | Icelandic | Russian | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | UK:18 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Germany:18 (nf) | Australia:R | Switzerland:18 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:18 (canton of Geneva) | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Sweden:15 | Mexico:D | Argentina:16 | Portugal:M/18 | Brazil:18 | South Africa:16 | Philippines:R-18 (MTRCB) | Belgium:KNT | Hungary:18 | Finland:K-18 | South Korea:18 (re-rating) (cut) | South Korea:Limited (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #42205) | Italy:VM14 | Germany:Not Rated (SPIO/JK) (extended version) | France:-16 (with warning) | Norway:18 (self applied) (with warning) | Malaysia:18SG (unrated DVD version) | Malaysia:(Banned) (theatrical) | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-18 | Italy:VM18 (re-rating) | Taiwan:R-18

Filming Locations:

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Company:

Hostel LLC

Trivia:

Eli Roth put nearly every single crew member in the film, including production accountant Mark Bakunas, who appears on a poster in the background of three different scenes for his fictional rock band, 'Bakunas and the Essential Elements.' The other members of the band on the poster are producers Mike Fleiss and Chris Briggs, Co-Producer Daniel S. Frisch, Production and Costume Designer Franco-Giacomo Carbone, and Roth.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When the bad guy walks into the toilet at the end, all signs should be in German. Right above the walkway is a sign that says "Kabinky" which is Czech and Slovak.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Paxton: Amsterdam, motherfucker!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hostel Dissected (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Some Kinda Freak

Destined For Culthood

"Sick, twisted, disgusting and absolutely brilliant" reads the review blurb on the back of the HOSTEL DVD. While it may sound sensational, particularly for horror flick with a budget under $5 million, every word rings true.

HOSTEL begins by introducing us to three pals, Paxton, Josh and Oli (Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson and Eythor Gudjonsson respectively), on a backpacking journey through Europe of sex, drugs and partying. Horny as can be, they take a newfound friend's advice to check out a Slovakian city that promises to fulfill all their desires for intimate, no-strings attached relations. But once they get settled in, Oli inexplicably disappears, soon followed by Josh. That leaves Paxton to unravel the brutal truth behind this mystery.

HOSTEL is impossible to sufficiently describe to someone who hasn't seen it. It's not because it's so good (though it is pretty good), but because it's such a creative, unusual film experience. Indeed nothing quite like this has ever been done before, at least not this superbly. The film is heavy on the blood and guts, but the blood and guts are entertaining and actually contribute to the film in a this-will-gross-you-out sort of way. HOSTEL is many things, but it's not guilty of gore for the sake of gore.

The direction and acting represent another high point of HOSTEL. The picture is oozing with fresh talent from most every orifice (a fitting way to put it). Young director Eli Roth keeps things running at an efficient pace and gets the most out of what is a fairly basic storyline. It's fair to say he is unrelenting and seems intent in asking the audience how much they can take, but this approach works amazingly well in the film's favor. As for the performers, they are all no-names, but they rank as one of the most talented no-name horror casts in memory. Hernandez is worth singling out, as he has the believability, subtlety and charm needed to carry the film.

Unfortunately, many have dismissed HOSTEL as another mindless gorefest. That's really too bad, because beneath the decapitated heads and leaking eye sockets lurks a truly original, entertaining piece of work. This one is destined for culthood.