Before Mickey 17 Hits the Screen, This Bong Joon-Ho Underappreciated Sci-Fi Horror Is a Must Watch
A movie so brilliant it earned Quentin Tarantino's highest praise. As we wait for Mickey 17, there's never been a better time to dive into this genius creature horror.
As Mickey 17 prepares to storm into theaters this Friday, March 7th, we're all holding our breath in anticipation of an exceptional movie which cannot be any other way when Bong Joon-ho is involved.
The acclaimed director who brought us the genre-defying Parasite (2019) has consistently proven his ability to blend social commentary with pure entertainment. But before we dive into his latest sci-fi creation head first, there's an earlier work that showcased the full spectrum of his storytelling brilliance.
And while it became South Korea's highest-grossing film at the time, in our opinion, it still sits somewhat highly underappreciated in today's media.
The Host (2006): A Monster Movie with a Heart of Gold
The premise is deceptively simple: when the US military carelessly dump toxic substances into the Han River, they create something far worse than pollution. A horrifying creature emerges from the depths, wreaking havoc on Seoul's riverside district. When the monster snatches away a girl, her whole dysfunctional family becomes unexpected heroes in a desperate rescue mission.
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The Host manages to be simultaneously terrifying, hilarious and heartbreaking (often within the same scene).
And when Quentin Tarantino compares a director to 1970s Spielberg, you know you're dealing with something special. As Tarantino told The Hollywood Reporter:
“Of all the filmmakers out there in the last 20 years, he [Bong Joon-ho] has something that [1970s] Spielberg has. There is this level of entertainment and comedy in his films. [The Host and Memories of Murder] are both masterpieces.”
Everyone Is Obsessed With The Host
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But if Tarantino's endorsement isn't enough to convince you, then you have to know that the audience is obsessed with The Host as well. With Redditor ShinbrigGoku writing:
“I'm not a big fan of monster films, they've never scared me. This is one of the few that pulled my heart strings and stomped on my emotions! I don't want to give out too much away, it is best to go into this film blind!”
So whether you're a longtime fan or new to Bong's work, The Host offers the perfect entry point into his filmmaking. You can catch The Host on Sky Store, Curzon, Amazon Video, or Apple TV+.
