Watch The Host

The Host is a 2006 South Korean monster movie directed by Bong Joon-ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-Bong and Park Hae-il. The plot revolves around a family man named Park Gang-du, who operates a small snack-bar by the Han River, and how his life is turned upside down when a monster suddenly emerges from the river and starts attacking people in the surrounding area. The movie blends horror, comedy, and social satire to create a unique and thrilling cinematic experience.

The movie begins with a scene of an American military scientist named Robert Stall who orders his Korean assistant to dump a considerable amount of toxic chemicals into the Han River. But, the assistant hesitates to do so, and when he does, a strange mutation occurs which leads to the creation of the monster.

The story then introduces us to the dysfunctional Park family. Park Gang-du, the main character, is a lazy and foolish man who is clearly not up to the task of operating the snack bar. He lives with his father, sister, and young daughter in a small house by the Han River. He constantly disappoints his family, and they all have their issues with him.

One day, while Gang-du is serving customers on the riverbank, he notices a mysterious creature abruptly appear and start attacking people. The monster is a grotesque, jointless creature that moves at an alarming speed, resembling no animal or beast ever seen. In the chaos that ensues, Gang-du's daughter, Hyun-seo, is trapped in the monster's clutches and is swept away by the river.

The family is devastated, but Gang-du is convinced that Hyun-seo may still be alive and sets out on a perilous search to find her. The family is treated with suspicion by the authorities, who try to cover up the truth about the monster's origins and tell the public that it is due to a virus outbreak that has spread due to the dumping of toxic chemicals in the river.

The movie seamlessly weaves together different genres to create a compelling tale that is both thrilling and touching. The film is an unapologetic critique of the South Korean Government, America's meddling in Korean affairs, and the failings of society that stem from a lack of accountability.

The Host is a masterful creation of storytelling, with its fusion of different genres and humor, while never losing sight of the dramatic stakes that drive the story. The direction is precise and intense, each scene vividly and thoughtfully composed. The suspense and horror are perfectly balanced, and the family's emotional journey is richly portrayed.

The characters are relatable, from the bumbling Gang-du to the surprisingly badass Nam-joo, his archer sister, and the grumpy, tough love-searing father. The family's tragedies and their determination to cling together in the face of such great adversity make for compelling viewing. The creature, in its refusal to be nailed down to any particular classification or scientific explanation, is a potent symbol of the irrational forces that underlie the modern world.

In conclusion, The Host is a powerful movie that is both thrilling and touching. It is a masterpiece of filmmaking that is worth watching, providing a commentary on the systems in place in society, and how individuals respond when tragedy occurs. The Host was a proper international hit, going to become a cult classic and cementing Bong Joon-ho's reputation as one of the world's foremost filmmakers.

The Host is a 2006 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 85.