Hostel (film series)

Last updated

Hostel
Hostel official.logo.jpg
Official film series logo
Created by Eli Roth
Original work Hostel (2005)
Owner Lionsgate
Years2005–2011
Films and television
Film(s)

Hostel is an American horror film series that consists of three films, including two theatrical films, and one straight-to-home release film. Created by Eli Roth, the plot centers around a Slovakian criminal organization that lures innocent foreigners into their hostels, where wealthy sadists bid upon them for torture and murder. Over the course of the films, the hierarchy of the cult group is revealed to operate internationally.

Contents

The original film starring Jay Hernandez was met with mixed critical reception, [1] although it was a success at the box office. [2] The second film was met with an even more divided critical response; [3] even though it earned less than its predecessor, it earned a profit for the studios. [4] The third film was released to more positive reviews from critics than the previous movies, [5] although its monetary statistics regarding sales on home media are not disclosed. [6]

Films

FilmU.S.
release date
DirectorScreenwriterProducer(s)
Hostel January 6, 2006 Eli Roth Mike Fleiss, Eli Roth and Chris Briggs
Hostel: Part II June 8, 2007
Hostel: Part III December 27, 2011 Scott Spiegel Michael D. WeissMike Fleiss, Chris Briggs and Scott Spiegel

Hostel (2005)

Paxton and Josh spend their summer after graduating college traveling the various countries in Europe. Exploring all manner of debaucherous activities, they befriend an Icelandic tourist named Óli. One night the trio are locked out of their hotel, and visit an apartment of a local named Alexei. After being told of a hostel run by seductive women in Slovakia, the friends make the journey to the rumored location. Upon arrival they are pleased to find that Alexei's story was true, a location overrun by nude foreign women. As they engage in various sexual encounters, over time they soon begin to question the intentions of the establishment. As Óli goes missing, the friends attempt to investigate his disappearance. When they are drugged by a pair of women with whom they had been associating in a sex-based relationship, they individually awaken to a horrific underground torture event, led by a secret organization. The company allows wealthy individuals to pay large sums of money to torture, maim, and kill abducted innocent tourists. Unwittingly finding themselves a part of the cult's activities, Paxton and Josh must fight for survival in the nightmare they've awoken in, or die by a series of gory events. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Hostel: Part II (2007)

After narrowly escaping the tortures of an evil secret organization, Paxton suffers from extreme episodes of PTSD. Convinced that the Elite Hunting Club will not stop looking for him until he is dead, he often comes into confrontation with his girlfriend who argues that his experience is exaggerated as a result of his mental illness. After one particularly heated argument, she awakes the next morning to find his headless corpse sitting in their kitchen, confirming his story.

In Rome, Italy three young American art students named Beth, Whitney, and Lorna are enjoying their time abroad in a foreign country. Encouraged by one of the nude models that they are sketching named Axelle, to visit a relaxing hostel located in Slovakia, the trio decide to make the journey to the isolated location. Expecting a relaxing stay at a luxurious spa, the friends quickly begin to question the underlying reality of what is going on around them. Unbeknownst to them, upon arrival their passports are uploaded for bid to the highest spender. Abducted by members of the organization, the friends awaken to a reality where they are positioned to be helpless pawns of torture and murder. The women resolve to fight for their survival, or die trying. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Hostel: Part III (2011)

Scott alongside his friends Mike and Justin, are celebrating a night of decadence in Las Vegas for his bachelor party. As they move through each club, they are persuaded by a pair of escorts to attend a secluded private party. The friends decide to take their partying up a level, and make the trip. Upon arrival they quickly learn that things are not as they seem. Imprisoned by the Slovakian hosts, they find that they are intended to be used as party favors of nefarious wealthy bidders, who intend to torture, abuse, and kill them as they desire. As they fight for their survival, amongst a terrible bloodbath Scott soon discovers that one of his friends is also a part of the Elite Hunters Club and willingly led them into the sadistic nightmare they are trapped in. [17] [18] [19]

Television

In December 2020, tabloids reported that a reboot of Hostel film series was in development. [20] By December of 2023 however, Eli Roth stated that he intends to develop additional Hostel installments; stating "there's a lot more to do" and that he felt like he had "ignored them for too long". Acknowledging that he has ideas for where to take the story next, the filmmaker confirmed he also wants to return to intellectual property once again in the role of director after previously not being involved with Part III. [21] [22]

In June 2024, it was announced that a television series set within the franchise was in development. The series was described as a "modern adaptation" and "reinvention" of the concept, with the genre being categorized as an "elevated thriller". Roth will serve as director, as well as co-writer alongside Chris Briggs. The filmmaker will also be an executive producer, with Briggs and Mike Fleiss. Paul Giamatti has been cast in a starring role. [23]

Principal cast and characters

List indicator(s)

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

CharacterFilms
Hostel Hostel: Part II Hostel: Part III
200520072011
Principal cast
Paxton Rodriguez Jay Hernandez  
Josh Brooks Derek Richardson  
Óli Eriksson Eyþór Guðjónsson  
Kana Jennifer Lim  
YukiKeiko Seiko 
Beth Salinger  Lauren German  
Whitney Swerling  Bijou Phillips  
Lorna Weisenfreund  Heather Matarazzo  
Scott  Brian Hallisay
Amy  Kelly Thiebaud
Mike  Skyler Stone
Justin  John Hensley
Kendra  Sarah Habel
Nikki  Zulay Henao
Victor  Nickola Shreli
Anka Evelina Oboza
Elite Hunting Club
Natalya Barbara Nedeljáková  
SvetlanaJana Kaderabkova 
Jedi, the Desk ClerkMilda Havlas 
AlexeiLubomir Bukovy 
Dutch BusinessmanJan Vlasák 
American Client Rick Hoffman  
Johann, the German SurgeonPetr Janiš 
The ButcherJosef BradnaIvan Furak 
Sasha Rassimov  Milan Kňažko  
Inya  Zuzana Geislerová  
Stuart  Roger Bart  
Todd  Richard Burgi  
Axelle  Vera Jordanova  
Miroslav  Stanislav Ianevski  
Roman Roman Janecka 
Mrs. Bathory Monika Malacova 
Carter Kip Pardue
Travis Chris Coy
Flemming  Thomas Kretschmann

Additional crew and production details

FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerCinematographerEditor(s)Production
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time
Hostel Nathan Barr Milan Chadima George Folsey Jr. Next Entertainment and Raw Nerve Lions Gate Entertainment 1 hr 34 mins
Hostel: Part II
Hostel: Part III Frederik Wiedmann Andrew StrahornGeorge Folsey Jr. & Brad Wilhite Stage 6 Films, RCR Media Group and Next Entertainment Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 1 hr 28 mins

Reception

Box office and financial performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingVideo
sales gross
Worldwide total
gross income
BudgetWorldwide total
net income
Ref.
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll time
North America
All time
worldwide
Hostel $47,326,473$34,914,637$82,241,110#1,909#2,414$23,882,146$106,123,256$4,800,000$101,323,256 [2] [24]
Hostel: Part II $17,609,452$18,118,731$35,728,183#4,032#3,730$16,821,819$52,550,002$7,500,000$45,050,002 [4] [25]
Hostel: Part III Information not publicly availableInformation not publicly available [6]
Totals$64,935,92534$53,033,368$117,969,293x̄ #1,981x̄ #2,048>$40,703,965>$158,673,258$12,300,000≥$146,373,258

Critical and public response

FilmCriticalPublic
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
Hostel59% (109 reviews) [1] 55/100 ( reviews) [26] C− [27]
Hostel: Part II44% (112 reviews) [3] 46/100 (21 reviews) [28] C [27]
Hostel: Part III67% (6 reviews) [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cabin Fever</i> (2002 film) 2002 film by Eli Roth

Cabin Fever is a 2002 American horror comedy film co-written and directed by Eli Roth and starring Rider Strong, Jordan Ladd, James DeBello, Cerina Vincent, Joey Kern, and Giuseppe Andrews. Inspired by a real-life experience where Roth developed a skin infection during a trip to Iceland, the story follows a group of college graduates who rent a cabin in the woods and fall victim to an unknown flesh-eating disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Splatter film</span> Horror genre

A splatter film is a subgenre of horror films that deliberately focuses on graphic portrayals of gore and graphic violence. These films, usually through the use of special effects, display a fascination with the vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation. The term "splatter cinema" was coined by George A. Romero to describe his film Dawn of the Dead, though Dawn of the Dead is generally considered by critics to have higher aspirations, such as social commentary, than to be simply exploitative for its own sake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kane Hodder</span> American actor, stuntman, and author

Kane Warren Hodder is an American actor, stuntman, and author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Hernandez</span> American actor (born 1978)

Javier Manuel "Jay" Hernandez is an American actor. After making his television debut in NBC's Hang Time, he made his film debut opposite Kirsten Dunst in the romantic drama Crazy/Beautiful (2001). He has since starred in numerous films, including Friday Night Lights (2004), Hostel (2005), Bad Moms (2016), and as Chato Santana / El Diablo in Suicide Squad (2016). From 2018 until 2024, he played Thomas Magnum in the reboot of Magnum P.I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eli Roth</span> American filmmaker and actor

Eli Raphael Roth is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. As a director and producer, he is most closely associated with the horror genre, namely splatter films, having directed the films Cabin Fever (2002) and Hostel (2005).

<i>Hostel</i> (2005 film) Film by Eli Roth

Hostel is a 2005 horror thriller film written and directed by Eli Roth. It stars Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson, Eyþór Guðjónsson, and Barbara Nedeljáková. It was produced by Mike Fleiss, Roth, and Chris Briggs, and executive produced by Boaz Yakin, Scott Spiegel, and Quentin Tarantino. The film follows a group of American tourists, as they end up in Slovakia where they are eventually taken one-by-one by an organization that allows people to torture and kill others.

<i>Hostel: Part II</i> 2007 film by Eli Roth

Hostel: Part II is a 2007 American horror film written and directed by Eli Roth, serving as a sequel to Hostel (2005). It is the second installment in the Hostel film series. The film stars Lauren German, Roger Bart, Heather Matarazzo, Bijou Phillips and Richard Burgi, while Jay Hernandez briefly reprises his role from the first film. It was produced by Mike Fleiss, Roth, and Chris Briggs, with Boaz Yakin, Scott Spiegel, and Quentin Tarantino serving as executive producers. The plot follows three American female art students in Rome who are directed to a Slovak village where they are eventually kidnapped and taken to a facility in which rich clients pay to torture and kill other people.

Tourism in Slovakia offers natural landscapes, mountains, caves, medieval castles and towns, folk architecture, spas and ski resorts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extreme cinema</span> Type of cinematography with extreme character

Extreme cinema is a subgenre used for films distinguished by its use of excessive sex and violence, and depiction of extreme acts such as mutilation and torture. The rising popularity of Asian films in the 21st century has contributed to the growth of extreme cinema, although extreme cinema is still considered to be a horror film-based genre. Being a relatively recent genre, extreme cinema is controversial and widely unaccepted by the mainstream media. Extreme cinema films target a specific and small audience group.

Eyþór Guðjónsson, often anglicized as Eythor Gudjonsson, is an Icelandic actor. He stands 6'3" tall.

<i>Cell</i> (film) 2016 American film

Cell is a 2016 American science fiction horror film based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Stephen King. The film is directed by Tod Williams, produced by John Cusack, with a screenplay by King and Adam Alleca. The film stars John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, and Isabelle Fuhrman. Cell is the second film adaptation of a King story to co-star Cusack and Jackson, after the 2007 film 1408.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Greutert</span> American film editor

Kevin Greutert is an American film editor and director, best known for his work on the Saw film series, as well as character-based supernatural horrors. He is married to actress Elizabeth Rowin.

<i>The Last Exorcism</i> 2010 American film

The Last Exorcism is a 2010 American found footage supernatural horror film directed by Daniel Stamm. It stars Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr, Caleb Landry Jones, and Louis Herthum.

<i>Hostel: Part III</i> 2011 film by Scott Spiegel

Hostel: Part III is a 2011 American horror film directed by Scott Spiegel and the third installment in the Hostel film series. It was written by Michael D. Weiss. This is the only film in the series to not have Eli Roth involved in the production and is also the only one not to have a theatrical release. The film also relocates the Elite Hunting Club from Slovakia to Las Vegas.

Radio Silence Productions is an American film and television production company, founded in 2011 by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez and Chad Villella. The group is known for the horror films Ready or Not, Scream and Scream VI, as well as their previous work together as Chad, Matt & Rob.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satanic film</span> Subgenre of horror film which depicts the Devil and associated wicked themes

A Satanic film is a subgenre of horror film, and at times other film genres, that involves the Devil as a concept or a character. Common themes/characters in Satanic film include the Antichrist, demonic possession, exorcism, and witchcraft.

I Know What You Did Last Summer is an American horror film franchise consisting of three slasher films and one television series, loosely based on the novel of the same name by Lois Duncan. The first installment was written by Kevin Williamson, directed by Jim Gillespie, and released in 1997.

Urban Legend is an American horror film franchise consisting of three slasher films. The first installment was written by Silvio Horta, directed by Jamie Blanks, and released in 1998.

<i>Thanksgiving</i> (2023 film) Film by Eli Roth

Thanksgiving is a 2023 American slasher film directed by Eli Roth and written by Jeff Rendell, based on a story by the pair, who produced with Roger Birnbaum. Based on Roth's fictitious trailer of the same name from Grindhouse (2007), it is the third feature-length adaptation of a fictitious Grindhouse trailer after Robert Rodriguez's Machete (2010) and Jason Eisener's Hobo with a Shotgun (2011). The film stars Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Milo Manheim, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Nell Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, and Gina Gershon, and follows a small Massachusetts town that is terrorized by a killer in a John Carver mask around the Thanksgiving holiday.

Cabin Fever is a series of American comedy horror films, including the original theatrical release, two straight-to-home media releases with a sequel and a prequel that both received limited theatrical releases, and one theatrical remake. Created by Eli Roth, the plot centers around groups of people who contract an extremely deadly flesh-eating disease, and their attempts to survive its symptoms.

References

  1. 1 2 "Hostel (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Hostel (2005)". Box Office Mojo . IMDb . Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Hostel: Part II (2007)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Hostel: Part II (2007)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Hostel: Part III (2011)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Hostel: Part III (2011)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  7. Anderson, John (January 4, 2006). "Hostel". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  8. Lee, Nathan (January 6, 2006). "We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay. Gore Is Served in the Cellar". The New York Times. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  9. Powers-Schaub, Ariel (July 15, 2021). "[Film Review] Hostel (2005)". Ghouls Magazine. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  10. Bradshaw, Peter (March 23, 2006). "Hostel". The Guardian. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  11. Barkan, Jonathan (January 6, 2016). "Snip, Slice, and Carve Into the 10th Anniversary of 'Hostel'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  12. Debruge, Peter (June 7, 2007). "Hostel: Part II". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  13. Kern, Laura (June 7, 2007). "Inside the Torture Factory". The New York Times. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  14. Kermode, Mark (July 1, 2007). "Hostel: Part II". The Guardian. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  15. Crook, Simon (October 1, 2006). "Hostel: Part II Review". Empire. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  16. Navarro, Meagan (July 17, 2018). "[Butcher Block] The Torture and Blood Bath of 'Hostel: Part II'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  17. Shaffer, R.L. (January 5, 2012). "Hostel: Part III DVD Review". IGN. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  18. James, Jonathan (December 27, 2011). "Review: Hostel: Part III". Daily Dead. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  19. Miska, Brad (June 22, 2008). "New Torture in 'Hostel: Part III'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  20. Campbell, Scott (December 24, 2020). "Hostel Reboot Reportedly In The Works". We Got This Covered. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  21. Cavanaugh, Patrick (December 6, 2023). "Eli Roth Teases More Hostel and Cabin Fever Sequels". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  22. Squires, John (December 6, 2023). "Eli Roth Reveals That He'd Like to Direct More 'Hostel' and 'Cabin Fever' Movies". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  23. Goldberg, Lesley (June 4, 2024). "'Hostel' TV Series Starring Paul Giamatti in the Works (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  24. "Hostel (2006)". The Numbers . Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  25. "Hostel: Part II (2007)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  26. "Hostel (2006)". Metacritic . Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  27. 1 2 "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  28. "Hostel: Part II (2007)". Metacritic. Retrieved February 8, 2023.