Roth makes good on his second feature.

Rating: 9/10 (2 February 2006)

I will be quick to admit that I was a long time hater of 'Cabin Fever'; the film simply failed to work for me on any desired level. It wasn't until I perused the special features on the DVD that I gained some manner of acceptance for it's quirky charm. That being said, it would be fair to surmise that I had little expectation for 'Hostel'. How violently I would be surprised...
Three back-packers (2 Americans, 1 Icelander) are Euro-trippin' their way across the continent in search of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Beginning to wind down some, they have their collective interest piqued when a man suggests a hostel in Bratislava where they can satisfy their youthful urges. Unable to resist an offer they would never want to refuse, they hop a train and are on their way. The initial arrival is unceremonious, until they reach the hostel and it turns out to be everything they had hoped for. After a night of partying, one the group disappears, seemingly having moved on by himself. Things continue for the lads until another member goes missing. Now the remaining thrill seekers decide to find their friends, only to get caught up in something far darker and more sinister than they ever could have imagined...
For pure bang for your buck, 'Hostel' out guns pretty much every mainstream movie ever made, even out doing most of the infamous gaillo films is has taken inspiration from. Little is spared the viewer in the depictions of violence and sexuality (I found myself questioning the R-rating more than once), yet it manages the difficult feat of never slipping into exploitation. The violence is brutal and jarring, never once fun or jokey; the sex/nudity is cold and detached, never presenting the feeling of sensuality or eros; and the overall tone of the film perfectly transitions from that of happy-go-lucky party hardy to sheer, gut-churning fear.
The actors (a talented group of unknowns) bring the right amount of youthful decadence to the roles while still feeling like any ol' joe shmoe; they my be a little wild, but it seems more like a phase than who they are. Happily, the characters are developed to the proper point without the filmmakers having to beat details into our collective viewing mind.
The film does make a few small mistakes amongst all that it does right, however. For one thing the first story arc runs a little long while the second movement is over with a tad too quickly. For another, the conclusion is aesthetically satisfying, yet is a little short on post-script. And finally, the film is really dark; not as in the content, but as in the lighting, it's so dark at times so as to make viewing difficult.
Falws considered, this is a masterful horror tale from one of horror most talented new directors.
9/10