
Directed by Eli Roth
Review based upon the Sony Blu-Ray release
Narratively following on almost immediately from the climax of “Hostel”, writer and director Eli Roth brings us a sequel to one of the most talked about and controversial films of the past 5 years with the unsurprisingly titled “Hostel: Part 2”. But does this film fall victim to the usual laws of diminishing returns, or is it even more shocking than his original exploitation entry?
Beth (Lauren German) and Whitney (Bijou Phillips) are two students taking a break to study art in Rome during the middle of their European travels. After one of their classes they’re approached by still life model Stephanie (Jordan Ladd), who tells them of natural spas and cheap accommodation in Serbia. Changing their plans, they travel with Stephanie and fellow student Lorna (Heather Matarazzo) to the hostel she spoke of. But unknown to the three students, their lives are being sold to the highest bidder on the Internet through Elite Hunting, with Americans Stuart (Roger Bart) and Todd (Richard Burgi) winning the online auction. Waiting for the capture of their female prey, the two men debate what they’ll do once their twisted dream is made into a bloody reality. But will these girls really become the next victims of the Elite organisation? Do Stuart and Todd have what it takes to break the ultimate taboo? Or will the tables be turned once and for all?
With “Hostel: Part 2”, Roth returns to the same territory he did in Part 1, bringing back most of the supporting cast and expanding their roles so that we learn a great deal more about the back story which was only previously hinted at. This is a vastly superior flick in terms of narrative and plot layering, demonstrating that Roth isn’t only maturing as a filmmaker b

There is much more focus on the female characters in “Hostel: Part 2”, something which (especially when watched back-to-back with the original piece as intended) gives Roth’s concept considerably more mileage and depth than seemed possible in the first instalment. An even more crucial addition to the mix are the elements which examine the antagonists, and there’s some fascinating interplay here that builds to a surprising and shocking conclusion in the final twenty minutes. “Hostel: Part 2” is far more developed than its predecessor, making the characters much more sympathetic (although it should be noted that perhaps with one exception his women are also universally strong) and therefore adding decisively to the final impact.
Alongside these key improvements, this flick also manages to add even more shock value to the mix through some incredibly visceral and bloody set pieces which show Roth quite incredibly pushing the envelope even further than he did in Part 1. Watch out for the sequence within the Elite building that’s a pure and unabashed Argento homage, featuring candlelight, sexual gratification, a scythe and buckets of gore. Combine this with the conclusion which involves (quite literally) someone’s manhood, and it’s clear that “Hostel: Part 2” is even more outrageous than the first picture.
On a visual level this film maintains the gritty and grim feel of the first, adding (as before) to the disturbing impact of the story. Using a great deal of long shots to emphasise the isolation of the protagonists is a great example of how this entry is in many respects leagues above any of Roth’s other movies, suggesting a young director who’s steadily maturing with every horror entry he produces.
The cast are universally superb, the female leads coming across as far more believable than their male counterparts in bo

Horror sequels are rarely as good as the first flick, choosing instead to simply re-tread the same content with the hope of finding the same audience and box office returns as before. While “Hostel: Part 2” could be criticised for containing aspects of similarity to the first movie, it nevertheless tries to build on the intriguing concept by adding more depth as well as increasing the shock value. For this the film is to be applauded, creating a piece that shows growth in almost every area. Here’s a great example of a modern grindhouse picture that not only engages, but literally seizes the audience by the jugular and refuses to let go. At times even difficult to watch than “Hostel”, Part 2 is one of the best genre sequels in some time. If you enjoy this kind of filmmaking then don’t let this one pass you by, but if you thought the first one was a tough watch then you’d probably best avoid it. Roth is apparently planning to make this into a trilogy, so who knows what terrors he’s got planned next. Personally, I can’t wait to find out.
8 out of 10
A tense and bloody watch… thankfully not succumbing to the usual issues associated with rubbish horror sequels