A Disturbing Horror Classic

Rating: 8/10 (9 February 2006)

Hostel has been unfairly criticize for being too gory and sadistic, as people ignore what the movie is trying to say on human nature. Hostel's basic tone and plot is this: the exploration of humanity's nature for finding the pleasures of life and always seeking more ways to fulfill it's cardinal sins. The three victims in the movie are all seeking pleasure through sex and drugs, but those who go to the "business" in Slovakia no longer can get fulfillment from casual sex and drug use, so they seek their pleasures in sadistic torture and blood. These people will pay large amounts of money and conduct the most horrendous acts just to fulfill their desires. In some sad way, this is so true as everyone has that deep deep desire to hurt or watch someone die, whether one tries to see if there's dead bodies after an accident or killing virtual soldiers or people in video games. To me Hostel explores this secret desire upfront in graphic details. Yes, the film is dark, yes the movie is gory and sadistic, (I was surprised it got an R rating) but so can human nature... all you need to do is watch the evening news and know it's true. It is a horror classic in the making in the likeness of Last House on the Left & The Hills Have Eyes.