MovieChat Forums > Hostel (2006) Discussion > Hostel is a Great Film and Is Underrated...

Hostel is a Great Film and Is Underrated on IMDB!!

posted 13 years ago by mhelpmann
50 replies | jump to latest

Hostel is much more than porn or torture-porn. The underlying themes in the film are disturbing because they examine beliefs that many of us share to some degree. Those beliefs would be laissez-faire, an environment in which transactions between private parties are free from state intervention, including restrictive regulations.

From the beginning of the film, our "American heroes" delight in the pay-for-play world of prostitution, only to become the victims of a different type of pay-for-play world.

"Slovakia" is portrayed as a nation that has not successfully transitioned from socialism to capitalism. There is no noticeable industry, gangs of impoverished children roam the streets, and the only business in town caters to the ultra-rich.

Eli Roth's "Slovakia" is capitalism at its most perverse. Capitalism without morals, rules, or God. Everything is for sale and anyone can be exploited. Now that is truly terrifying.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] mhelpmann 13 years ago

I disagree.

The anti-capitalist vibe in this film is very apparent and developed rather well. Perhaps Roth had to sell the producers and teens on blood and boobs to make a marketable film; however, this film is definitely on another level.

I have seen exploitation around the world and this film takes it to a terrifying, but believable new height.

Perhaps in thirty-years, this film will get the attention and praise it deserves.

[–] bijinius 9 years ago

for what? Praise for it's special gore effects? There's not any deep insight into the human condition; no commentary on the world at large. There's a lot of screaming, and a lot of fake blood - precious little real worth. At least to my 'eye'.

[–] oft_I_am 13 years ago

This film is a product of capitalism, my boy, so lotta good the fans did by consuming it, if this is indeed the message intended. I guess Roth wasn't convincing enough.

But that is just me. It doesn't really matter that much what you read into films (provided you can argue persuasively). I don't know if I am convinced of your POV.

$§ "Support mental health or I'll kill you." ~o~

[–] FreedomFighter08 13 years ago

Great film I love it and it is underrated indeed, people on imbd suck to be honest, that's why u should go other websites where movie experts set the rating not individuals claiming this is wrong what's the meaning of this blabla etc etc, Rate a movie if it was entertaining or boring of simple reasons, not to think politically or historically, or of a nationalistic point of view, this is for all movies.

[–] asamiblue1 13 years ago

Not to mention that people vote on movies they have not seen!

Sorry about my spelling, it is not my strong suit. =)

[–] GxJ 11 years ago

Yes I totally agree with that, Hostel is definitely underrated, I have seen plenty of crappy unoriginal horror films with higher ratings. Not everyone will like it though, especially those who don't have a dark sense of humor.

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

yeah, most horror movies that have come out in theaters and on video since this film came out aren't anywhere near as well made, original, well executed, and thrilling as this film.

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

true, imdb ratings just think too hard or think about a movie having qualities that they don't need to be good in order to be good. ask anyone who knows horror movies and has watched them, they know a great horror film when they see one and this film is a lot better than most of the crappy horror movies that have come out since it came out. how horror movie fans know a horror movie is a great film is because of the way that they make you feel and the executions of them; how they were made

[–] PrimordialDreamer 13 years ago

Agreed, I thought it was one of the best, ocassionally disturbing and most underrated Horror films of the last decade, and I like the whole lured somewhere, Wickerman vibe of the film. 8/10 from me, and the sequels decent as well.

If you keep an open mind, you`ll discover dark secrets.

[–] vestdennis 11 years ago

I don't agree with many of the opinions on here but I don't want to go to a website where most movies (like this) are lavishly praised just b/c some warped guy likes to see this crap!

Not everyone is going to like movies like this anymore than I like "The English Patient". But comments like this movie is a "work of art" are bizarre and ridiculous. This one is better than the 2nd but it still focuses on the cutting of body parts and torture simply for the sake of being able to show it. Horror and thrillers are great b/c of the suspense, the looming danger they thrust on us. Just as the slasher flicks have deadened us to such films movies like this will lose their "shock value" once other movie makers try to one-up them by showing someone eat a heart or finger.

I prefer to have the killer(s) hiding in the shadows sort of thing. And when someone must die then much is left to the audience's imagination. Those type of movies leave me scared at night or walking alone at night. Watching someone having their limbs torn/cut off doesn't make me lose sleep. Those things lurking in the dark that go bump do!

But to each his/her own. That's what makes our country great!

[–] libbyasd 13 years ago

Regardless of the subtext this film is horrible, and any message about capitalism is drowned in blood

[–] eagleye_25 13 years ago

I wholeheartedly agree with the original post: "Hostel is a Great Film and Is Underrated on IMDB!!" Everything about this movie is brilliant.

[–] lady_lazarus 13 years ago

Totally agree with the OP.

Out of the ash / I rise with my red hair / And I eat men like air.

[–] AMeanLittleDude 13 years ago

same here, relieved to see a post like this.

[–] original_stone_fox 13 years ago

I agree, this movie is great

This is Baileys as close as you can get without getting your eyes wet

[–] nyyankinboston 13 years ago

I caught the last hour of this on cable and really got into it, was so intense, usually not a big gore fan like I was in my teens. Do any of you that enjoyed the original suggest the sequels at all?

[–] eagleye_25 12 years ago

Hostel II is great. It picks up right where the first one ended, and "pulls back the curtain", regarding who exactly is running this deranged business. Not as good as the first but absolutely worth seeing. Hostel III was so-so. It wasn't Eli Roth but you could tell the makers of the film were really REALLY trying hard to make a decent sequel. If you never see the third film you will not have missed out on anything but if the opportunity presents itself, go for it. no regrets.

[–] commorientes 12 years ago

Ditto.

[–] A-beautiful-human-asshole 12 years ago

No.

You turned around...and you had these wooden teeth!

[–] davidlau17 12 years ago

That's the message I got out of this movie too, but I think its idea that torturing and killing others will give people the ultimate pleasure is going a little too far. It had a really negative view of humanity.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] ollpheist 12 years ago

A film with a really high rating is generally what we call a film with an advanced and deep story. Preferably, it should be over two hours as well.

Ha, ha, what a wonderfully random idea for how to judge a good movie: over two hours = good film.

Rock n' roll, pumpkin...

[–] bouhanamarc 11 years ago

i agree with you hostel is one of my favourite movie