Hostel (film series)
American horror series about a Slovakian torture cult.
Hostel is an American horror movie series made up of three films. Two were released in theaters, and one went straight to home video. Eli Roth created the series. The story follows a criminal group based in Slovakia that tricks tourists into staying at hostels. Once there, rich sadists bid on the chance to torture and kill them. Over the course of the films, it becomes clear that this cult operates across international borders.
The first movie, starring Jay Hernandez, got mixed reviews from critics but did well at the box office. The second film received even more divided reactions. It earned less money than the first, but still turned a profit for the studios. The third film got more positive reviews than the earlier ones, though its home media sales figures have not been made public.
**Hostel (2005)** Paxton and Josh have just finished college and are traveling through Europe for the summer. They meet an Icelandic tourist named Óli, and the three of them get locked out of their hotel one night. A local named Alexei lets them stay at his apartment and tells them about a hostel in Slovakia run by seductive women. They decide to check it out. When they arrive, they find the place is full of nude foreign women, just as Alexei said. They have sex with several of them, but soon start to wonder what’s really going on. Óli disappears, and the friends try to find him. They are drugged by two women they’ve been sleeping with. When they wake up, they are in a hidden underground torture chamber run by a secret organization. The group lets wealthy people pay to torture, maim, and kill kidnapped tourists. Paxton and Josh must fight to survive or die in a series of bloody events.
**Hostel: Part II (2007)** Paxton escapes the torture but now suffers from severe PTSD. He believes the Elite Hunting Club will keep hunting him until he’s dead. His girlfriend argues that his trauma is making him exaggerate. After a big fight, she wakes up to find his headless body in their kitchen—proving he was right. In Rome, three American art students—Beth, Whitney, and Lorna—are enjoying their time abroad. A nude model they’re sketching named Axelle convinces them to visit a relaxing hostel in Slovakia. They go, expecting a spa getaway. But once they arrive, their passports are uploaded for bidding by the highest spender. The organization abducts them, and they wake up as helples
- field
- Horror film series
- nationality
- American
- number_of_films
- 3
- creator
- Eli Roth
- first_film_release
- 2005
- last_film_release
- 2011
- known_for
- Torture horror, secret organization Elite Hunting Club
Lore & Background
The series begins with Hostel (2005), following college graduates Paxton and Josh as they travel Europe and are lured to a Slovakian hostel run by seductive women. After being drugged, they awaken in an underground torture facility run by a secret organization that allows wealthy individuals to pay for the chance to torture and kill abducted tourists. The second film, Hostel: Part II (2007), shows Paxton suffering from PTSD after his escape; his headless corpse later confirms his story to his girlfriend. Three American art students then fall into the same trap in Slovakia, fighting for survival. The third film, Hostel: Part III (2011), moves the setting to Las Vegas, where a bachelor party is lured to a private party and imprisoned by the Slovakian hosts. One of the friends is revealed to be a member of the Elite Hunters Club.
Reader's Guide
The Hostel series is significant for its graphic depiction of torture and its exploration of a global criminal network that preys on tourists. The original film was a box office success despite mixed critical reception, while the second film earned a profit despite a more divided critical response and lower earnings. The third film received more positive reviews than its predecessors, though its home media sales are undisclosed. The series has been noted for its influence on the torture horror subgenre. As of 2024, a television series set within the franchise is in development, described as a modern adaptation and reinvention as an elevated thriller, with Eli Roth directing and co-writing, and Paul Giamatti cast in a starring role.
Did You Know?
- The original film starring Jay Hernandez was a box office success despite mixed critical reception.
- The third film was released straight-to-home and received more positive reviews than the previous movies.
- In June 2024, a television series set within the franchise was announced, with Paul Giamatti cast in a starring role.
- Eli Roth was not involved with Part III but intends to direct future installments.
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