Hostel (2005) Review in 2025
A group of backpackers travel to Slovakia, where they are kidnapped and taken to a secret location where they are subjected to brutal and inhumane experiments.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Absolutely not, this movie is extremely violent and disturbing.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for fans of horror and thriller movies, but it's not suitable for everyone. If you're easily disturbed or squeamish, you may want to avoid this movie.
Spoiler Alert!
Hover to reveal spoiler summary
The movie starts with three friends, Paxton, Josh, and Oli, who are backpacking through Europe. They meet a mysterious woman named Natalya, who convinces them to follow her to a secluded hostel in Slovakia. Unbeknownst to them, the hostel is a front for a sinister organization that kidnaps and sells young men to wealthy clients, who pay to torture and kill them. The friends soon find themselves in a desperate fight for survival, but their chances of escape are slim.
Review Details
story8.00/10
The story is engaging and suspenseful, but it's not particularly original. The plot is predictable, and the twist at the end is somewhat surprising, but not enough to redeem the movie's flaws.
acting6.00/10
The acting is decent, but it's not particularly memorable. The main actors do a good job of conveying their characters' emotions, but they lack any real depth or nuance.
characters6.00/10
The characters are underdeveloped and lack depth. The main characters are likable, but their motivations and backstories are not explored in detail. The antagonists are cartoonish and lack any real menace.
direction8.00/10
Eli Roth's direction is confident and stylish. He uses a lot of close-ups and handheld camera work to create a sense of tension and unease. However, some of the scenes feel overly long and drawn out.
cinematography7.00/10
The cinematography is decent, but it's not particularly noteworthy. The use of lighting and color is effective in creating a sense of atmosphere, but some of the shots feel overly stylized.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The movie has a lot of suspense and tension, and the direction is confident and stylish. The use of close-ups and handheld camera work is effective in creating a sense of unease.
Cons
The story is predictable, and the characters are underdeveloped. The movie is also extremely violent and disturbing, which may be off-putting for some viewers.
Notable Quotes
"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV."
"You're going to have to pay to play."
