Get Ready: Bong Joon-ho’s ‘The Host’ Monster Movie Hits Max This February!

by

Warner Bros. Discovery and their streaming service aim to fully leverage the extraordinary skills of the South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho in various aspects. Apart from the anticipated March 2025 theatrical release of his movie “Mickey 17,” produced and distributed by WB, Bong Joon-Ho’s previous work will also be accessible on their streaming platform. Starting February 1st, his critically acclaimed film “The Host” from 2006 will be available on Max. Known for its unique approach, “The Host” is not only captivating but also unconventional.

The movie centers around a mutated fish causing chaos in a South Korean metropolis, while the Park family – grandfather Hee-Bong (Byun Hee-Bong), his children Gang-du (Song Kang-ho), Nam-Joo (Bae Doona), and Nam-il (Park Hae-il) – struggle to save Gang-Du’s daughter Hyun-seo (Go-Ah-sung) who appears to have been abducted by a strange, colossal creature. This film is one of Bong Joon-Ho’s earlier works in South Korea and was the third movie he directed, coming after his initial release Barking Dogs Never Bite and the groundbreaking neo-noir crime thriller Memories of Murder.

In a seamless blend of styles, The Host demonstrates Bong Joon-ho’s knack for moving effortlessly between film genres with each production. Although The Host may not be his finest work, it’s undeniably remarkable to observe how he transitioned into science fiction after creating the gritty and deeply rooted in reality masterpiece, Memories of Murder. Later on, Bong Joon-ho would revisit science fiction multiple times in his filmography, further showcasing his command over this genre.

‘The Host’ Showcases Bong Joon-ho’s Mastery of Genre Films & Character Work

Through various movie genres such as noir thrillers and sci-fi, Bong Joon-ho has consistently drawn viewers with his character-driven films. The success of his 2019 film “Parasite” and its award-winning streak at the Oscars demonstrate a global appreciation for movies that emphasize compelling themes and impactful performances. Similarly themed sci-fi films in Bong’s portfolio, like “Snowpiercer”, explore social stratification and class struggle, with characters that elicit both admiration and contempt.

In “The Host,” filmmaker Bong Joon-ho skillfully combines comedic characters such as Gang-du with a veiled layer of sadness in their behavior. The movie, centered around empathy, powerfully embodies this theme, using the mutated fish and its attacks to generate poignant and thoughtful character scenes. For fans of Bong Joon-ho’s future works, “The Host” offers an insightful look at the early stages of a director refining his talent.

In addition to “Parasite”, only the film by Bong Joon-ho called “The Host” is accessible on the platform at this time. Other works such as “Okja” and “Memories of Murder” can be obtained physically through the Criterion Collection. For now, viewers can anticipate enjoying a modern masterpiece in monster movies that also delivers an emotional story about family and empathy.

Read More

2025-01-23 17:31