Sick And Twisted: It's One Of The Best Horror Films Of The Year

Rating: 8/10 (24 March 2006)

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this movie, as it had been a long time since I'd seen a good horror film, so the expectation for Hostel was quite high. I have to say that, after a slow start, it didn't disappoint once the action got going.
The beginning of the film was a bit of a damp squib I must admit, the 3 main characters were just irritating, stock horror movie guys. Once the horror really started to kick in, though I was pleased that they developed to the point where I actually cared what happened to them. With the exception of Oli, the Icelandic guy, who, it must be said, got on my nerves so much that I was thinking "if he isn't killed soon I'm gonna jump in there and do it myself." By the end of the movie I was hooked and disturbed, there are some truly gory scenes and the overall premise -people paying to experience the feeling of torturing and killing someone- is an extremely scary one, which could easily have been based on a true story, in my opinion.
I'd definitely recommend this movie, for horror fans, but bring a cushion to hide behind. It's stuck in my mind relentlessly, which, for me is the mark of a good horror flick.