Jump to content

The Host (2013 film)

From Alfawiki
The Host
Company typeFilm
IndustryMotion picture
Founded2013
FounderAndrew Niccol (writer and director)
Headquarters
United States
ProductsFilm
OwnerOpen Road Films (distributor)

The Host is a 2013 American film blending romance, science fiction, and thriller elements, written and directed by Andrew Niccol. It is adapted from the 2008 novel authored by Stephenie Meyer. The movie features performances by Saoirse Ronan, Jake Abel, Max Irons, among others. The story follows Melanie, a young woman living in a world overtaken by parasitic extraterrestrials known as "Souls." After a Soul called "Wanderer" is implanted within her, a struggle ensues between Melanie and the alien for dominance over her body.

Distributed in the United States on March 29, 2013, through Open Road Films, The Host failed to meet commercial expectations, earning $63.3 million globally against a production budget of $40 million. Critical reception was predominantly negative.

Plot

Earth has been almost completely dominated by small parasitic beings referred to as "Souls," which inhabit human bodies, suppressing their original consciousness while accessing their memories. Hosts are distinguished by silver-colored rings visible in their eyes.

Melanie Stryder, a human on the run, is captured and implanted with a Soul named Wanderer, whose mission is to gather intelligence about a hidden resistance movement of humans. Despite this, Melanie's consciousness remains active inside her own mind, resulting in an internal conflict that gradually develops into mutual understanding.

Wanderer learns that Melanie was journeying with her brother Jamie and boyfriend Jared to locate her uncle Jeb in the desert. Another Soul named Seeker plans to take control of Melanie’s body to extract this information before eliminating her. With guidance from Melanie’s memories, Wanderer escapes to the desert where Jeb leads her to a cave community protecting humans who have not been assimilated.

Most humans in this enclave reject Wanderer except for Jeb and Jamie. Melanie advises keeping her survival secret, although Jamie eventually discovers the truth. Over time, Wanderer earns the group's trust and forms a close relationship with Ian O'Shea.

Seeker organizes a search party but calls off the mission after unintended casualties occur. Jared and Kyle attempt to kill Wanderer, prompting Jamie to reveal that Melanie’s consciousness is still present. Jared confirms this when he provokes Melanie into briefly taking control of her body. Despite ongoing tension, Wanderer saves Kyle from danger, which strengthens Ian’s affection for her. Wanderer confesses that Melanie’s body is attracted to Jared, yet she herself experiences separate emotions; the two share a kiss.

Wanderer uncovers that Doc has been conducting experiments aimed at removing Souls to restore original human minds, though these attempts often result in death. After isolating herself from others, Wanderer takes alien medication to cure Jamie from infection.

Jeb captures Seeker while she searches for Wanderer. Wanderer negotiates with Doc to learn how to properly remove Souls in exchange for allowing her own release. Doc successfully separates Seeker from her host without causing fatal harm. Subsequently, Wanderer banishes Seeker’s alien form far away from Earth.

Feeling burdened by her existence and attachments, Wanderer requests that Doc permit her death following removal. However, others intervene, leading Doc to transfer Wanderer's consciousness into the body of a brain-dead human after extraction. Now independent of Melanie’s body, Wanderer can be with Ian while Melanie reunites with Jared.

Several months later during a supply mission, Wanderer, Melanie, Ian, and Jared are captured by another group of humans allied with a Soul sympathetic to the resistance—revealing that multiple factions exist within both human and Soul communities.

Cast

Production and development

The film rights to The Host were initially secured by producers Nick Wechsler, Steve Schwartz, and Paula Mae Schwartz in September 2009. Subsequently, Open Road Films obtained the rights, with Stephenie Meyer joining Wechsler and the Schwartzes among the principal producers. Andrew Niccol was brought on board to write and direct the screenplay. Although Susanna White briefly took over directing duties in February 2011, Niccol returned to helm the project by May 2011.

In May, Saoirse Ronan was selected to play Melanie Stryder/Wanderer. The movie’s release was scheduled for March 29, 2013, with filming commencing in February 2012 across locations in Louisiana and New Mexico.

Release

Open Road Films handled distribution for The Host, which premiered in theaters on March 29, 2013. Home media versions, including DVD and Blu-ray, were released on July 9, 2013.

Box office

Globally, the film earned $63.3 million, comprising $26.6 million from North American markets and $36.7 million internationally. It opened at number six at the U.S. box office, generating $10.6 million over its first weekend from 3,202 theaters, with an average of $3,310 per venue.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, The Host holds a low approval rating of 10%, with reviewers criticizing its weak script and lackluster dramatic impact, often labeling it dull and monotonous while occasionally unintentionally humorous. Metacritic assigned a score of 35 out of 100 based on 28 critiques, reflecting "generally unfavorable reviews." Audience feedback via CinemaScore rated the film a "B−."

Manohla Dargis of The New York Times described the movie as an uninspired blend of sci-fi elements and young adult clichés driven by commercial interests. Todd McCarthy from The Hollywood Reporter observed that the film heavily relies on familiar teenage romance clichés without offering the wit or political depth expected in futuristic stories. Noah Berlatsky of The Atlantic sharply criticized both performances and direction, recommending viewers avoid the film.

IGN’s Roth Cornet gave it a 5 out of 10 rating, labeling it "unintentionally laughable" due to a flawed screenplay that failed to fully explore its themes, though she commended Saoirse Ronan’s acting. Ben Kenigsberg of Time Out attributed many faults to the original source material and noted that the high-definition cinematography contributed to a cheap-looking visual style.

Among Roger Ebert’s final reviews before his passing in 2013 was this film; he awarded it 2.5 out of 4 stars, remarking that its consistently gloomy tone weakened dramatic tension despite containing moments of thoughtful dialogue.

Awards and Nominations

Saoirse Ronan received a nomination for a Teen Choice Award in the category "Choice Movie Actress: Sci-fi/Fantasy" for her performance in The Host, though the award ultimately went to Kristen Stewart for her role in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

See also

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=The_Host_(2013_film)&oldid=72721"