Strong violence, weak story.

Rating: 5/10 (24 December 2007)

I'll start with the basic plot: 3 teenage boys backpacking in Europe head to a Slovakian city to get laid, they do so, but they get butchered. That's the story more or less. If you like gory films but want a more interesting story, the "Saw" films should please you.
It's not the bloodiest film one would see if you compare it to movies like Braindead, Evil Dead and Nightmare on Elm Street, however those movies used over the top amounts of blood for comic effect, whereas Hostel has absolutely no comic tone and its VERY real looking so fans of gory make-up effects won't be disappointed.
As a scary movie, it's pretty scary and It'll have you on the edge of your seat.
Acting wise, there's nothing special here but they can act like they're genuinely scared or in pain unlike the cast of the Friday the 13th films.
Overall, The gory effects and scares don't really make up for the weak storyline.