In a world conquered by parasitic aliens, one human host fights to keep control
In short: In the 2013 film The Host, Earth is occupied by Souls, parasitic aliens who erase human consciousness to inhabit their bodies. When a Soul named Wanderer is infused into a human named Melanie, the two must share a single mind, sparking an unlikely bond that challenges their alien occupiers' rigid control.
Based on the 2008 novel by Stephenie Meyer, The Host depicts a near-future Earth where humanity has been largely replaced by Souls. These parasites view humans as inherently violent and unworthy of the planet. Once a Soul is inserted into a host, the original consciousness is typically suppressed, leaving only a silver ring in the eyes to signal the alien presence. The story centers on Melanie Stryder, whose consciousness remains active after she is infused with Wanderer, leading to a complex internal dialogue between the two.
The film, directed by Andrew Niccol, follows Wanderer as she navigates the human resistance, eventually defecting to their side. The narrative explores the physical and emotional friction of two minds sharing one body, as well as the moral dilemmas faced by the resistance, including the brutal experiments conducted by a doctor attempting to separate Souls from their hosts. Despite the high-concept premise, the film faced significant critical backlash upon its March 29, 2013 release.
Critics largely panned the production, with review aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes recording only a 10% approval rating from 134 reviews. Critics cited a poor script, ineffective drama, and a lack of narrative depth as primary failures. Even the late Roger Ebert, who provided one of the film's final major reviews, noted that the movie's consistent, somber tone robbed it of dramatic tension. While Saoirse Ronan received some praise for her dual performance, the film ultimately underperformed, grossing $63.3 million against a $40 million budget.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Host (2013 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-the-host-2013-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
