The Host
A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans.
What critics thought
One of the more comprehensively panned wide releases of its era, The Host drew near-universal criticism for Andrew Niccol's screenplay and direction, with reviewers finding the young-adult sci-fi adaptation dramatically inert and tonally monotonous. Saoirse Ronan's performance was a rare point of sympathy among critics, though even admirers of her work blamed a script they considered beyond saving. The film carries the distinction of being the final major review Roger Ebert published before his death.
“a brazen combination of unoriginal science-fiction themes, young-adult pandering and bottom-line calculation”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
“The acting, as well as Andrew Niccol's writing and direction, are all awful; I can't in good conscience recommend that anyone see this film.”
Noah Berlatsky·The Atlantic
“The Host is top-heavy with profound, sonorous conversations, all tending to sound like farewells. The movie is so consistently pitched at the same note, indeed, that the structure robs it of possibilities for dramatic tension.”
Roger Ebert·RogerEbert.com
“it's cloaked in yawningly familiar teen-romance terms and cries out for even a little seasoning of wit, irreverence, political smarts and genre twists that, given the well-trod terrain, seem like requisites when presenting visions of the near future.”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
Genres
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Cast & Crew
Andrew NiccolDirector
Saoirse RonanMelanie Stryder / Wanda
Diane KrugerThe Seeker / Lacey
Max IronsJared Howe
Jake AbelIan O'Shea
William HurtJeb Stryder
Frances FisherMaggie Stryder
Chandler CanterburyJamie Stryder
Boyd HolbrookKyle O'Shea
Stephen RiderSeeker Reed
Alex RussellSeeker Burns
Rachel RobertsSoul Fleur
J.D. EvermoreTrevor Stryder
Antonio PintoComposer
Stephenie MeyerWriter
Roberto SchaeferCinematographyThe Host
A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans.
What critics thought
One of the more comprehensively panned wide releases of its era, The Host drew near-universal criticism for Andrew Niccol's screenplay and direction, with reviewers finding the young-adult sci-fi adaptation dramatically inert and tonally monotonous. Saoirse Ronan's performance was a rare point of sympathy among critics, though even admirers of her work blamed a script they considered beyond saving. The film carries the distinction of being the final major review Roger Ebert published before his death.
“a brazen combination of unoriginal science-fiction themes, young-adult pandering and bottom-line calculation”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
“The acting, as well as Andrew Niccol's writing and direction, are all awful; I can't in good conscience recommend that anyone see this film.”
Noah Berlatsky·The Atlantic
“The Host is top-heavy with profound, sonorous conversations, all tending to sound like farewells. The movie is so consistently pitched at the same note, indeed, that the structure robs it of possibilities for dramatic tension.”
Roger Ebert·RogerEbert.com
“it's cloaked in yawningly familiar teen-romance terms and cries out for even a little seasoning of wit, irreverence, political smarts and genre twists that, given the well-trod terrain, seem like requisites when presenting visions of the near future.”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
Genres
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Cast & Crew
Andrew NiccolDirectorSaoirse RonanMelanie Stryder / WandaDiane KrugerThe Seeker / LaceyMax IronsJared HoweJake AbelIan O'SheaWilliam HurtJeb StryderFrances FisherMaggie StryderChandler CanterburyJamie StryderBoyd HolbrookKyle O'SheaStephen RiderSeeker ReedAlex RussellSeeker BurnsRachel RobertsSoul FleurJ.D. EvermoreTrevor StryderAntonio PintoComposerStephenie MeyerWriterRoberto SchaeferCinematography