Hostel

Plot synopsis:
One night at the boys' hostel at Jaigarh University, a senior student Feroz (Mukesh Tiwari) and his goons harass freshman geek Vishnu Pandey (Subeer Goswamin), stripping him down, molesting him and forcing him to act like a dog. His cries for help fall on deaf ears. Karan (Vatsal Sheth), an engineering freshman, arrives at the hostel. He meets Vishnu, Nilesh (Ramesh Chandane) and Bobby (Nirmal Soni) and befriends them. That evening, Akshay, a gang leader, tries to extort money from him in front of dozens of senior males. When Karan refuses he is beaten and Akshay takes him to Feroz. Feroz asks Karan to drink a glass of his urine and throws it at Karan's face when he refuses.
Vishnu tells Karan Feroz has deliberately been unsuccessful in his exams so that he can continue to live in luxury in the hostel and has become the general secretary by intimidating the students. He is politically well-connected, and is expected to stand for local elections within a few years. Karan is refused help by the corrupt hostel warden, Sharad Saxena, who is loyal to Feroz and Karan is beaten even more in his presence.
Feroz and his goons later ask Karan to do a striptease. When he refuses, they drag him out to the field, strip him naked in front of everyone and mock him. He is helped by Vishnu, Nilesh and Bobby. At the library, Karan breaks down crying as he recalls his humiliation. Science student Payal (Tulip Joshi) asks if he's okay and they become friends. Feroz's sadistic activities escalate and he starts selling drugs to students. Meanwhile, Karan and Payal fall in love.
Once, when Karan is with Payal, Karan is called by one of the goons for ragging. Karan refuses, so Akshay comes to him with a mini-gang of five. They instigate Karan by trying to harass Payal. Karan retaliates and ends up beating them all, particularly Akshay. Feroz asks Akshay to take help from a gangster of his contact. When the gangster arrives with his goons Karan explains and convinces him that Feroz is using them. The gangster then tells Karan to contact him if he needs help. After this damage caused to his reputation by Akshay, Feroz expels Akshay from the gang and threatens him to leave the hostel within 24 hours. Feroz offers Karan Akshay's place but is declined. He tells Karan that they will no longer bother him as long as he minds his own business. Over the year he and his goons continue to torture freshmen. Some bear it without resistance while some leave.
After a year, a naïve and weak new freshman, Pawan (Vinamra) arrives. In his room, he finds the goons, with Vishnu, Nilesh and Bobby, who have been corrupted by Feroz and are now part of his gang. They now believe that ragging results in manhood and this strains their relationship with Karan who befriends Pawan. One night, Feroz brings a prostitute to the hostel and asks Pawan to have unprotected sex with her to be witnessed by the entire gang and the warden. Karan interferes, saving Pawan although he takes a beating from Feroz. He is advised by Vishnu, Nilesh and Bobby to mind his business but he ignores them. Later he helps Pawan study for an exam while Feroz and his gang watch porn. When Karan leaves, Feroz and the gang, intoxicated and aroused, enter Pawan's room and rape him.
A traumatized and pant less Pawan hangs himself from the ceiling fan with blood dripping down his legs, suggesting he was sodomized. The reluctant dean, under pressure from the trustees, blames the suicide on Pawan's psychological problems. Feroz warns Karan not to go to the press or he will rape Payal like he raped Pawan. Karan breaks up with Payal and sends her away to protect her. Later Karan procures a gun presumably from the gangster. That night, Karan locks all the hostel gates, goes to Feroz's room and shoots Vishnu, Bobby, Nilesh and the warden three times each. He gets into a fight with Feroz and his goons although he takes a vicious beating. Once he is holding the upper hand, despite the dean pleading with him not to kill Feroz as it will ruin his life, he shoots Feroz nine times, and ends the gang's reign of terror over the hostel.

Tags: boring, gothic, murder, stupid, violence, cult, horror, action, revenge, sadist

Review:
I haven't seen an effective horror film like this in a long time.
This, I learned during the Q&A afterwards with Roth, was intentional.If you've read some of the other reviews posted here from people who saw it at the Toronto Film Festival, you get the general idea of the story.
When you realize that there is no hope for the character, no way to escape, no 'buddy' who's gonna turn up at the last minute to save the hero, and not a shred of humanity or compassion to the antagonists, real fear begins to set in.Another great element in the script is how the 'survivor' makes moral choices that define their character.
It's so refreshing to see a horror movie that actually makes you feel uncomfortable and one in which you have no idea what's going to happen next.
But they soon learn that the hostel is nothing more than a front for a bizarre club, where people can pay a huge fee to get to perform unspeakable acts...My 2 cents: The director and writer Eli Roths biggest accomplishment before Hostel is Cabin Fever (2002) - weather or not that is something good is a matter of personal judgment.
When the story finally starts to focus on whatever is wrong with the Slovakian hostel it points everything out to such an extensive degree that it feels like Roth wants to put a stupid-hat on every member in the audience.
The lack of anything beyond this in his delivery or script can be easily seen in the way that the film doesn't even try to do something with the fact that we are getting entertainment from watching people torture/kill others for their entertainment.
Normally in this sort of thing there would at least be some reference to this conflict but here Roth is part of his audience and sees nothing wrong at all with what he is doing  which is a problem for me, not that he needs to be "ashamed" but just that a film should not just be a load of filmed gore with no heart or reason to care.Hostel is a gory horror movie that is entirely about being repulsed and thrilled by the graphic and sadistic acts portrayed with excellent special effects.
Instead of, hey, maybe develop the characters a little so the audience might care about them and make their plights a little more tense, the filmmakers decided to have a lot of party scenes and annoying main characters acting like idiots until, uh oh, we didn't plan on being tortured, oops!
For example, while at a sex club (wow, original!) one of the characters mentions something along the lines of "paying to do anything you want to a person," of course he means sexually, but we know the basic plot of the movie involves the same concept with death and torture instead of sex.
The last half or so of the movie actually starts to gain momentum, and the first half not been an entire waste of film, I could have walked away with more than a feeling that I'd just watched 15 minutes of an okay movie, and an hour and fifteen minutes of porn and senseless gore.
A little less than halfway through, my friend turned to me and said, "Maybe I picked up the wrong movie..." to which I replied, "Yeah, I think you got Eurotrip by accident." I am baffled as to why they decided to write the first half like they did.
The sad truth is that the place you would find child gangs attacking backpackers in broad daylight is not Slovakia, but England and the disgraceful outer districts of Paris.Either American movie makers do not know anything about Europe, or they think we are stupid enough to be depicted as we are in their films.
It certainly felt like it hit all the necessary marks, from nudity and dismemberment to bloody revenge, but at the conclusion, it just felt like eating cotton candy - no real nutritional value, just a sense that I had satisfied some of my prurient appetite without any logical payoff.The movie was slow in getting started and then the sprinted to a singularly boggling ending.
Here, in Hostel- the last 10 mins outta nowhere change from horror into a revenge film and it's quite satisfying, like a big ole bacon cheeseburger.
After the mediocrity that was Cabin Fever, I had little expectation for Eli Roth's new horror flick, Hostel.
Though the film is full of extreme gore and violence(and a pretty cool ode to "Suicide Club"), there was a lot more subtlety to the story than I expected, though I cant imagine too many people really looking at it for anything other than the violence.
Based on actual happenings during the World Wars, (where does anybody get their ideas from), I thought that this was quite a good horror film.At one point, I had to laugh, (my youngest son has been accepted by two universities to study Medicine - he wants to become a Surgeon), and so I found this film quite entertaining.
They begin in Switzerland,Belgium and Amsterdam where are informed a hostel in Bratislava(Slovakia) that offers sexy and beautiful girls.When arrive there,they actually encounter hot and delicious girls.But early their dreams become in bloody nightmares.Firstly are threaten by violent children,after the friends are disappearing.Meanwhile Jay Hernandez realizes that the hostel contains a horrible secret.This creepy film display mystery,suspense,restless horror,tension,shocks and great lots of blood and guts.The first part movie is an usual teen movie ,plenty of sex,disco,drugs,scatological jokes ,but later when they're going into hostel and the terror appears is when turns and makes more horrifying,more terrible,more thrilling and more gore.The movie contains tense sequences of hair-rising terror and loads of violence and gore,courtesy of make up specialists Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger(Land of the dead among others).The casting is principally formed by two promising actors, Jay Hernandez(World Trade Center,Carlitos'way:rise to power,Ladder 49,Torque)and Derek Richardson(Dumb and dumber).Appear uncredited the directors Takashi Mike(Ichi the killer,a film as violent as this one) and Eli Roth.Sinister and eerie atmosphere is well made by the cameraman Milas Chadima.The motion picture is professionally directed in the Czech Republic by Eli Roth ,nowadays become in terror movies expert,he directed ¨Cabin fever¨,¨Grindhouse¨and Hostel II also produced by Quentin Tarantino and Boaz Yarkin and again with Jay Hernandez along with a new cast by Bjou Phillips and Jordan Ladd..
I remember watching the trailers for this movie and was shocked in utter awe." Truth be told Hostel is really brutal but the time before the disturbingly scary torture sequences begin it's funny along the same lines as American Pie. And once the humor dies off (Which'll be when you least expect it), you better hold on for dear life because this movie gets wild!
Eli Roth is probably one of the most promising horror directors in the business right now because he's never too playful and never too serious about his movies and I have to say Hostel is one of his shining acheivements.
Once they arrive, they begin to suspect that everything may not be as good as it seems when one by one they start disappearing.Although this seems like a typical horror plot, the movie is well-done and believable.
The European scenery, interesting characters, decent dialog and fast-moving pace of the movie completely separate it from the typical "waste of time" horror movies.I also give the director high marks for not making this a gore-fest and overfocusing on nothing but blood and guts.
After watching cabin fever, i had high hopes for this movie and exceeded my expectations.There are many aspects that make this film good, but one is of the outstanding features are the characters, All of them you cared about.
This IS hardcore.If you want to see a horror movie that doesn't look away, that stays in the room long after every other movie has squirmed to some other reassuring shot- then you need to watch this movie.Eli Roth shows that he's not a one off- he's a true innovator, the future of the genre, and I hope he inspires many others in reviving Horror from the Kevin Williamson-esquire lull (which was good in the beginning) back down to the depths of visceral balls-to-the-wall hell ride it should be (not a Disney theme park ride).You know there's hope when Tarantino is the Exec producer!
While it may sound sensational, particularly for horror flick with a budget under $5 million, every word rings true.HOSTEL begins by introducing us to three pals, Paxton, Josh and Oli (Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson and Eythor Gudjonsson respectively), on a backpacking journey through Europe of sex, drugs and partying.
The only plot lines that can be related to each other, really, is the story that wonderful, should-be-nominated-for-best-actor Jay Hernandez recounts to his friend that, later on, more light will be shed on (no more information since it may spoil the film for some risking their hour's pay to go see it.) The acting is horrendous.
I still thought back then that Eli Roth was a promising guy even if his first film wasn't that accomplished.Let's say that for that matter, my expectations were kind of "neutral" when I went to see "Hostel", but I was anxious to see it anyway.
I found out that Roth didn't want MTVish flashy editing cuts, and after seeing this film a total number of 7 times (5 times at theaters, and 2 times at my home theater, and still going up) I see that is true, and works perfectly for the story.
We, horror films fans, PAY for watching someone going through gruesome suffering and we don't pay once, we do it twice, thrice, or more, just to feel that adrenaline rush the American Client talks of.-Some Spoilers-It is amazing how we come to "rationalize" the deaths to suit our beliefs, attitudes and fears.
And when our hero goes out of his way to describe the young girl he watched die, it was so out of character (as if he had any character) that I just knew Roth was beating me in the head to set me up for something yet to come.Or take the whole getaway at the end of the movie.
I expected much more from Eli Roth after Cabin Fever, but he delivers this piece of crap that was supposedly one of the most graphic and disturbing movies.
This movie,is awful.i live in Slovakia whole my life and this movie is just fiction,but why about Slovakian?yes we have color TV,we have new cars,our police is not devil and gypsies children,who wants kill you with stones are not everywhere.:-)Eli Roth come to the Slovakia and you will see,something what USA could learn from us.yes,this was communism for decades,but not anarchy.we had pay-less school system,pay-less health care.I don't wanna sorry for communist system,but this is central Europe,not Siberia,or Iraq.i love movies from Quentin Tarrantino,but it was his shame and this movie is just for people who are not physically OK.
Now I'm not hating on Eli Roth, I liked Cabin Fever, with it's mix of angst, blood, and black humor, but he took a fine concept for a film, and turned it into a shmozzle of a road-trip movie without any laughs, a soft-porn movie that wouldn't even excite a teenager, a gore movie which just seemed wholly unrealistic and hokey, and a thriller into a predictable outcome without any tension.Yes there were some scenes that were disturbing, perhaps, to the squeamish, but I wouldn't let my mother watch it anyway.
I love cheesy/tribute slasher/horror films when done correctly, but this movie was painful to watch.
(P.S. this is a brilliant example - how many movies do you see something like THAT?) Anyways, although the story pretty well revolves around a bunch of guys trying to get laid in Europe, you gotta respect Eli Roth's ability to provide us viewers with a crazy little thing called "shock value".
Alfred Hitchcock stand aside for this one.I have yet to see a more evil & creepy movie, nor am I a fan of such, however it is frighteningly realistic & quite possible-that a shadowy "business" baits young adventurous male college partiers into unspeakable peril as they're setup by hot enticing European women (the "front"), drugged, & wind up in a most hellish & unspeakable situation; tumbling into a predictable chain of events that feed on the most evil, cruel & inhumane desires of a "bizarre club", whereas grossly sick individuals pay great sums of money to have access & ability to cause horror, pain, terror, torture & live surgical dissection to fellow human beings.
If you want a good suspense/horror movie, see "Saw II".
The central location is an abandoned hospital, and this setting provides the scene for all the ghastly action once the movie turns into a horror film.
There's no horror early on, but there's lots of comedy and this allows Roth to build his characters and show the audience a good time.
The horror scenes are more along the lines of cringe-worthy torture than any real scares; but Roth makes good of it, as mystery is created early on and then the film breaks into a thrilling climax towards the end.
Personally, I love horror films and don't usually mind seeing gore if it is a significant part to the plot; unfortunately, this is not true for 'Hostel'...
I enjoyed Eli Roth's Cabin Fever and previously thought of him as a genius, but after this movie, I'll never think that again.The first hour or so was more porno than horror movie.
Instead, what I saw was a dumbed-down American horror movie trying way too hard to be gory and disturbing but never actually coming anywhere close.
It ended up just being a "get away from the evil bad guys" movie, typical of all other proclaimed "horror films." I'm so upset I cant even write anymore.
The director abused of people tolerance with detailed murder scenes, and I agree in a B movie that is probably the main idea, but nothing makes me believe his script has any sort of reason to exist..
I would like to say that as Eli Roth has been annointed the new face of horror I believe he has a long way to go.
It's not like our main character suddenly finds a buried space ship in the end, keys conveniently dangling from the dashboard and a manual nearby...My final verdict on this movie is as simple and humble as it gets: A decent, well-directed, nicely-written horror flick.
Truly what one seeks when told he is supposed to watch a horror movie.From hereon I will trust Mr. Roth and his sick, twisted mind.
My boyf and I had read up some of the critiques on the Net and thought we'd give it a go, even though most of the write-ups were negative.It is my belief that if you expect a lot from a film it can sometimes be a disappointment - so with that in mind we settled in on the sofa.The first half hour is extremely annoying and plays into every cliché in the book - the girls are all hot, the Americans are all loud and obnoxious, the weird German man on the train wanting to take advantage of the USAers - it's your average jocks-going-on-holiday-to-have-sex-and-take-loads-of-drugs movie - but I believe the writer and director were doing this intentionally.
a great horror movie, not for the faint hearted, if u don't like blood guts and gore this film is not 4 u.
At the end;I enjoyed with glee; the part where the main character gets his revenge; reminds me a lot of the horror movies back in the 70s and 80s; i wish Eli would prolonged that moment even further.Overeall Iam fully satisfied what Eli Roth had done with hostel; it will be a classic in years to come and Eli Roth will be remembered.
Which is a Murder for Profit business by killing travelers from any nationality at any price.Directed by Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) made an entertaining, sick, twisted horror movie with clever touches of dark humour.
The film actually takes its time by getting to know the characters before getting into the story of this movie.
'Hostel' is by no means an Academy Award winner, but it is exactly what Eli Roth intended it to be - a good, solid creepy movie (a definite step up from the letdown known as 'Cabin Fever' which was still pretty funny).
With a pretty crazy plot twist, eerie performances from some new actors, and gut-wrenching effects, 'Hostel' is sure to become a classic horror film..
Everything, from the actions of the psychopaths to the reactions of the victims feels pretty sincere.Scary, creepy, and disgusting, Hostel is of the same - ahem - cut as Saw: a polished, well-shot (heh), squishy-sick horror film..
I understand the appeal of horror movies but can't understand people who view them as quality film.
I'm reviewing the unrated version of Hostel, now out on DVD.First of all, let me say that Lion's Gate, responsible for the film's distribution, has come a long way from the days when it was almost exclusively synonymous with bad B-movies.
Hostel: 10 out of 10: Half Eurotrip style sex comedy (with a seventies level of nudity) and half the doctor scene from Bloodsucking Freaks, yeah I might as well stop my review right there it's a 10.Director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) has scored a bull's eye simply by going back to what makes exploitation films great.
This is what we horror fans have come to expect from Eli Roth though, and he more than delivers the horrific goods in this film, he pushes the envelope plenty.
Is witnessing realistic torture scenes the whole point of making a horror movie?
"Eurotrip" meets "Saw", Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino do not mix, another lame horror flick with bad acting (at best).