The Host (2006)
A mutated river monster snatches a girl, and her dysfunctional family launches a darkly comedic, desperate rescue.
A teenage girl is captured by a giant mutated squid-like creature that appears from Seoul's Han River after toxic waste was dumped in it, prompting her family into a frantic search for her.
How intense is The Host?
The Host is properly scary, with graphic gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is brisk, and it is a full-attention watch. The humor runs dark and broad. Rated R.
What The Host feels like
- Tone
- grittypulpydarkly comicsuspenseful
- Pace
- Brisk
- Humor
- dark and satirical, broad and big
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream The Host
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 14, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is The Host for you?
Is The Host scary?
Yes, properly. The Host is scare level 2 of 3, the real thing without being an endurance test.
Is The Host gory or violent?
Graphic gore (2 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is The Host sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is The Host OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 2, gore 2, violence 2, each out of 3.
How long is The Host?
The Host runs 2h.
Where can I stream The Host?
The Host is streaming on Prime Video, Kanopy, Hoopla and Fandango at Home (free).
Does The Host have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
Bittersweet. It earns its ending, but not everyone gets what they want.
Cast and crew
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