6.7
Where can I stream The Host legally?
The Host is included with a subscription to DocAlliance Films in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from DocAlliance Films. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Host
2015·Movie
·1h 0min·
The Host fingerprint
Calm.
Energy
Calm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension2
- Fast Pace1
- Spectacle1
Heart
Melancholic
- Melancholy7
- Nostalgia6
- Pathos5
Humor
Serious throughout
- Wit & Wordplay2
- Satire & Parody1
- Situational Comedy0
World
History, society, and politics
- Ambiguity8
- Dialogue Centrality7
- World Immersion6
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Direction7
- Narrative Structure7
- Complexity7
Style
Standout editing
- Editing8
- Cinematography6
- Visual Stylization5
Energy
NoneCalm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Host is calm and low-intensity. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension2Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace1Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle1Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence1Physical conflict and intensity.
- Adrenaline0High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare0Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.
All heart traits
- Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Nostalgia6Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics4Relationships and generational ties.
- Wonder4Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis2Emotional release and payoff.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Romance0Love stories and emotional connections.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
- Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth5Rich, complex characterization.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay2Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Dark Humor0Humor from taboo or grim topics.
World
MediumHistory, society, and politics
Its world is built around history, society, and politics. It leaves some questions open.
All world traits
- Ambiguity8Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion6Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Rewatchability4Invites repeat viewing.
Related traits
- Historical9Period settings and real events.
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Politics8Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Class & Capitalism8Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Contemporary Realism6Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Biographical5Lives of notable figures.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative7Time-shifts and structure play.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Meta Narrative6Stories about storytelling.
- Character Depth5Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue5Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Acting0Performance craft and presence.
Related traits
- Educational8Informative and instructive.
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
All style traits
- Editing8Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
- Visual Stylization5Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
- Music Composition4Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality3Songs central to storytelling.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You want something to laugh atYou want fast pacing
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
While investigating her late parents’ involvement with the Anglo Iranian Oil Company (BP), the filmmaker comes across the letters of a petroleum geologist in Iran in the 1930s who was later to embark on a search for the origins of civilisation. The Host sets out on its own exploration, to decipher signs from the fragmented images buried in the BP archive. This journey through the past interweaves a number of stories drawn from both personal memory and the records of an imperial history, which builds a picture of a 20th-century colonial encounter. The Host is a personal essay film about the stories we tell about ourselves and others, the facts and fictions we live by, and their consequences. Followed by a discussion with Miranda Pennell.
Colonial CritiqueArchival Essay FilmPersonal Memory vs HistoryOil Industry LegacyIranian-British RelationsReflective & MeditativeDocumentary Art-HouseIntellectual InquiryMelancholic ToneNon-Linear Narrative
Crew
Directed by:
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Host
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Host worth watching?
67
GoodGoodWatch scoreMostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 67/100 (IMDb 6.7 and Metacritic 85). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
How long is The Host?
1 h 0 min
The Host runs 1 h 0 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Host?
Critics85
Audiences70
Not quite. Critics rate The Host higher (85) than audiences (70). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
What language is The Host in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.
In how many countries can I watch The Host?
75
+61
+61GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Host in 75 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Host use?
Overly Long GagDumb BlondeMighty WhiteyArtistic License – PhysicsBadass BystanderBy "No", I Mean "Yes"Reckless Gun UsageMissing MomAbsurdly Spacious SewerEaglelandDisney DeathVomit Indiscretion Shotand 106 more
TV Tropes lists 118 storytelling tropes for The Host, including Overly Long Gag, Dumb Blonde, Mighty Whitey.