“The Host” is out of this world — literally.
The film was adapted from a book of the same title by author Stephenie Meyer, who also wrote the “Twilight” series. Andrew Niccol directed the film and wrote its screenplay, while Meyer served as a producer.
In the film’s post-apocalyptic world, species from different planets overtake Earth to save it from destruction. The species enter human bodies, using them to adapt to the world. Humans with alien hosts are recognizable by their piercing blue eyes and monotonous behavior.
The leaders, acting as a form of government, continue to search for the remaining humans, until there aren’t any left. The ringleader, called “The Seeker” and played by Diane Kruger, won’t stop until she finds every single human. It becomes her obsession to track down a specific one who has escaped. Kruger plays the character so well, acting just as cold-hearted as her perfect, crisp white clothing.
The species overtake human bodies and, in most cases, kill the soul living inside. There are a few exceptions, including Melanie — played by Saoirse Ronan, who gets caught after hiding in an abandoned building. She promises her little brother, Jamie, that she will do whatever it takes to come back to him and Jared, her soul mate played by Max Irons.
Saoirse Ronan is an extraordinary actress. Ronan has the ability to transform into her characters with her expressions and eye contact. She plays both Melanie and Wanda, the specimen who takes over Melanie’s body.
Melanie is fighting to get her body back and lures Wanda to help her find her loved ones. She is captured by the humans after being found in the desert. Inside a cave, the remaining humans have created an oasis to hide from the enemies. Some of the humans don’t want this outsider invading their space and potentially attracting the enemy towards them.
One person who is skeptical yet fascinated by Wanda is Ian, played by Jake Abel. The humans have to decide what to do with Wanda. Is she a threat or the answer to ending the war and keeping the human race from dying out?
“The Host” met my high expectations. Anyone who has read the book knows that the story is extremely descriptive and creates a world that is hard to imagine coming to life. The movie has futuristic aspects to it, like the authorities driving chrome vehicles and hospitals having medicines that instantly heal wounds.
It was reminiscent of “Fahrenheit 451”, with a society that abides by the rules, as well as “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. It’s a sci-fi flick that isn’t as confusing as “Lost”, but isn’t boring either. There’s romance, sadness, guilt and everything in between.
The only thing disappointing is that there isn’t a sequel — at least not yet.
