If you’re looking for a plot-less version of the Twilight franchise with more visual effects that’s set in a post-apocalyptic society, then you should go see Stephanie Meyer’s latest book-to-film gem The Host. But really, you shouldn’t waste your money.
The “plot” focuses on an Earth where all human bodies are inhabited by a peaceful alien species that has apparently dominated several other planets without any sort of rebellion. Where the species came from and why it needs to dominate other life forms is never explained, which really helps the audience understand.
The film focuses on an average-looking teen named Melanie (Saoirse Ronan), who is abducted by a gang of alien-inhabited humans who attempt to find human rebels, a group Melanie was part of. Her new identity, Wanderer, or Wanda, tries to extract the memories from Melanie in order to expose the human rebels, but Wanda and Melanie form a connection that is displayed in awkward, schizophrenic conversations. Wanda/Melanie eventually escapes and rejoins Melanie’s old friends where conflicts with old and new love interests arise.
Basically, nothing added up. It wasn’t believable that two people were living in one body. What’s worse is that there was a complete lack of chemistry between Roanan and the two love interests. We should’ve learned our lesson about Stephanie Meyer from the Twilight franchise, but apparently America can’t get enough of standard-looking brunettes involved in supernatural stories, who must choose between the affections of two men.
Unfortunately, the acting mirrored the plot. Ronan gave a confusing performance as Melanie/Wanda in which she changed her accent from awkward teen to southern belle nearly every scene. She also wore heels the entire film, even when she was walking in the desert for days. Diane Kruger’s The Seeker (not the Quidditch position) was irrelevant and mediocre at best. The two leading men (Jake Abel and Max Irons) were great eye-candy, but that’s about it. Not even hot, shirtless men can make up for the perplexing plot or terrible line delivery.
Meanwhile, in what seemed to be a totally different movie, people in all-chrome technology hunt them down. If only they had caught them.