The Host (2013)
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A young woman's body becomes a battleground for consciousness after being inhabited by a parasitic alien.
The story
Small parasitic aliens called "Souls" have taken over the human race by inserting themselves into host bodies and suppressing the host's consciousness. Deeming humans too violent, the Souls have almost successfully conquered Earth. A human on the run, Melanie Stryder, is captured and infused with a Soul called "Wanderer". Unlike other hosts, Melanie's consciousness is not completely eliminated; she and Wanderer begin to carry out an internal conversation and debate with each other, eventually becoming friends. Wanderer is tasked by a "Seeker" soul to access Melanie's memories to find a pocket of unassimilated humans.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Small parasitic aliens called "Souls" have conquered Earth by suppressing human consciousness. Melanie Stryder is captured and infused with a Soul named "Wanderer." While Wanderer is tasked by a "Seeker" to find unassimilated humans, Melanie and Wanderer form a bond. Wanderer leads Melanie to a mountain cave where humans are hiding. Despite hostility from some, Wanderer gains trust, bonding with Ian O'Shea. Meanwhile, Seeker leads a search party that results in the suicide of two humans and the accidental death of another Soul. Jared and Kyle attempt to kill Wanderer, but Melanie proves she is still alive by taking control to slap Jared. Wanderer later discovers a doctor experimenting on Souls and steals medicine to save Jamie from an infection. Wanderer eventually offers to show the doctor how to remove Souls in exchange for her own removal. After Seeker is removed, Wanderer is sent far from Earth. Tired of her many lives, Wanderer asks to be placed in a brain-dead body. She is placed in one, allowing her to live with Ian while Melanie reunites with Jared. Months later, the group is captured by another human faction, revealing a larger resistance.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 125
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Andrew Niccol
- Writers
- Andrew Niccol · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Saoirse Ronan · Melanie "Mel" Stryder / Wanderer "Wanda"; Jake Abel · Ian O'Shea; Max Irons · Jared Howe; Frances Fisher · Magnolia "Maggie"; Chandler Canterbury · Jamie Stryder; Diane Kruger · Seeker / Lacey; William Hurt · Jebediah
- Genres
- romantic; science fiction; thriller
- Themes
- Human-alien romance; Mind control; Parasitism; Survival
- Tone and mood
- Romantic; Science fiction; Thriller; Dystopian
- Premise and plot tags
- Alien invasion; Mind control; Parasites; Dystopian; Sci-fi romance
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2008 novel by Stephenie Meyer
- Content notes
- Spirit possession
- Reception
- The film underperformed at the box office and received unfavorable reviews from critics, with some describing it as unoriginal and poorly written.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 35 · scale: 100 · review count: 28
- Awards and nominations
- Teen Choice Award · Choice Movie Actress: Sci-fi/Fantasy · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the penultimate film to be reviewed by Roger Ebert before his death.; The film was originally intended to be directed by Susanna White before Andrew Niccol resumed the role.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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