The Host (2013)

admin
25/01/2025

The Host (2013) is a science fiction romantic thriller based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer, the author of Twilight. Directed by Andrew Niccol, the movie is set in a dystopian future where Earth has been taken over by an alien race called the Souls. These alien entities take control of human bodies and suppress their consciousness to create a peaceful, harmonious world—albeit at the cost of free will.

Plot Summary:

The story revolves around Melanie Stryder (played by Saoirse Ronan), a young woman whose body is invaded by a Soul named Wanderer (nicknamed Wanda). Despite being taken over, Melanie’s consciousness refuses to fade, and she fights to coexist within her own mind, forcing Wanda to experience Melanie’s emotions, memories, and strong desire to reunite with her loved ones.

As Wanda grows closer to Melanie’s feelings, she begins to sympathize with humans. She learns about Melanie’s brother, Jamie, and her boyfriend, Jared, who are part of a small group of human survivors hiding in the desert. Wanda/Melanie eventually finds this human resistance group, led by Melanie’s uncle Jeb (played by William Hurt).

The situation becomes more complicated as Wanda begins to form her own emotional connections, particularly with a human named Ian O’Shea (Jake Abel). Meanwhile, a relentless Seeker (played by Diane Kruger), a Soul determined to maintain control over all humans, hunts Wanda and the resistance.

Themes:

The movie explores themes of identity, love, sacrifice, and what it means to be human. It focuses on the conflict between individuality and collective harmony, as well as the emotional struggle of coexisting with someone vastly different from oneself.

Reception:

While The Host had an interesting premise and strong performances from Saoirse Ronan, it received mixed-to-negative reviews. Critics found the pacing slow, and the love triangle trope drew comparisons to Meyer’s Twilight series, which divided audiences. However, some praised the movie’s exploration of moral dilemmas and its unique take on alien invasion stories.

Genre:

Science Fiction
Romance
Thriller

Runtime:

125 minutes

If you enjoy sci-fi with an emotional core and a love story at its center, The Host might be worth a watch!