Horror films have long been a staple of cinematic entertainment, pushing the boundaries of fear and human psychology. Among the genre’s most notorious entries is the “Hostel” series, known for its unflinching brutality and disturbing portrayal of violence.
In this article, we’ll delve into the first two installments of the franchise, examining their plots and the controversy surrounding the second installment’s ban.
Hostel (2005) – A Brutal Revelation
Directed by Eli Roth, “Hostel” made its debut in 2005, introducing audiences to a terrifying world of sadistic horror. The film revolves around two American backpackers, Paxton (Jay Hernandez) and Josh (Derek Richardson), who, along with their Icelandic friend Oli (Eythor Gudjonsson), embark on a journey through Europe in search of adventure and hedonistic pleasures.
Their quest for excitement takes a dark turn when they hear rumors of a Slovakian hostel where beautiful women are said to be waiting for American men. Intrigued, they set out to find the elusive hostel, only to discover the gruesome reality hidden behind its doors. What initially appears as a hedonistic paradise quickly devolves into a nightmare as they become victims of a sinister organization that allows wealthy individuals to torture and murder unsuspecting tourists for their own sadistic pleasure.
The film explores themes of human trafficking, violence, and the moral degradation of those who willingly participate in such horrors. “Hostel” shocked audiences with its graphic and unrelenting scenes of torture, leaving a lasting impression as one of the most disturbing horror films of its time.
Some of the films gruesome moments are:
The blowtorch: Kana, whose face is being disfigured with a blowtorch by an American client. Later, Kana, seeing her disfigured face, kills herself by leaping in front of an oncoming train.
The Torture Room: Josh wakes up in a dungeon-like room, where the Dutch businessman begins maiming him with a drill, making holes in Josh’s body, slicing his achilles tendons, then slitting his throat.
The Chainsaw Torture: In another shocking scene, while cutting off a few of Paxton’s fingers with a chainsaw, Johann unintentionally severs his hand restraints. Johann falls over, accidentally severing his leg with the chainsaw. Paxton shoots Johann in the head with a gun.
Hostel: Part II (2007) – Banned for Controversial Content
In 2007, Eli Roth returned with “Hostel: Part II,” continuing the dark and twisted narrative of the franchise. This time, the story shifts its focus to a group of female tourists: Beth (Lauren German), Whitney (Bijou Phillips), and Lorna (Heather Matarazzo). As they travel through Europe, they too fall prey to the same malevolent organization that thrives on torturing and murdering unsuspecting victims.
“Hostel: Part II” is known for its even more gruesome and controversial scenes, exploring the psychological aspects of the torturers and their wealthy clients. The film delves into the motivations behind their sadistic desires, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator.
However, the controversy surrounding “Hostel: Part II” reached a boiling point in some countries, leading to outright bans. Several countries, including Germany and New Zealand, banned the film due to its extreme violence and graphic content, deeming it morally reprehensible and harmful to public decency. Critics argued that the film went beyond the boundaries of acceptable horror and crossed into gratuitous brutality.
Some of the films gruesome moments are:
The bathtub scene: In this disturbing scene, the now-naked, bound, and gagged Lorna is hung upside down above a bathtub. A woman named Mrs. Bathory enters the room, strips off her cape and shoes, and lies naked in the tub beneath Lorna. She then uses a long scythe to repeatedly slash Lorna’s back and torso, and revels in bathing in Lorna’s blood, before slashing Lorna’s throat.
To torture or death: In another room, Todd terrorizes Whitney with a power saw but loses his nerve after accidentally scalping her without killing her. Horrified, Todd tries to leave, but is informed that he must kill Whitney before leaving. Todd refuses, and tries to leave anyway, but the guards release attack dogs, which tear Todd apart.
The climactic scenes: Towards the end of the film, there are intense and graphic confrontations between the female protagonists and their tormentors. These scenes involve Axelle who is lured by the Gypsy street children into the woods, where Beth ambushes and beheads her. Shortly after, the children start playing football with Axelle’s severed head.
Hostel: Part III (2011)
This film took a different approach compared to its predecessors. Released in 2011, this film diverged from the formula of the first two movies in several ways.
Unlike the first two films, “Hostel: Part III” does not focus on American tourists traveling in Europe or the sadistic organization depicted in the previous entries. Instead, it shifts the setting to Las Vegas, where a group of friends, led by Scott (Brian Hallisay) and Mike (Kip Pardue), embarks on a bachelor party trip.
The group is lured into an exclusive underground event called the “Elite Hunting Club,” which offers a similar premise to the earlier films but with a different spin.
Story Focus: “Hostel: Part III” focuses more on the underground world of high-stakes betting on human torture and violence. Instead of the usual kidnapping and torturing of tourists, the victims in this installment are chosen as part of a twisted gambling game.
Tone: The film has a slightly different tone, with more emphasis on thriller elements and less on explicit gore compared to its predecessors. While it still contains violence and brutal scenes, it leans more towards suspense.
Direction: Eli Roth, who directed the first two films, did not direct “Hostel: Part III.” Instead, Scott Spiegel took the director’s chair for this installment.
Conclusion
The “Hostel” series stands as a testament to the willingness of horror filmmakers to explore the darkest corners of human nature and society. The first two installments, “Hostel” and “Hostel: Part II,” shocked and repulsed audiences with their graphic and sadistic portrayals of violence. While the first film was already disturbing, the sequel took things to an even darker and more controversial level, resulting in bans in several countries.
Despite the controversy surrounding “Hostel: Part II,” these films have left an indelible mark on the horror genre, reminding us that horror can be more than just jump scares and monsters. It can delve into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, forcing us to confront our own capacity for cruelty and violence. The “Hostel” series, for better or worse, continues to be a chilling reminder of the horrors that can lurk beneath the surface of the seemingly ordinary world we inhabit.