From Banned to Broadcast: Hostel TV Series Ignites Controversy
BREAKING: Horror Franchise Hostel is Being Reborn on TV, and it's Going to be a Wild Ride!
Get ready for a dose of dark, gritty, and downright disturbing horror as one of the most infamous franchises in the genre is making its way back onto our screens. Eli Roth's Hostel, which was infamously dubbed "torture porn" when it first hit theaters in 2005, is being adapted into a TV series for Peacock.
And who's set to star in this twisted tale? None other than Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti! The talented actor will be joining forces with the mastermind behind the franchise himself, Eli Roth, who will be writing, directing, and executive producing the series. But don't worry, folks - Roth has promised that this won't just be a lazy cash-grab, but rather a thoughtful, modern take on the original material.
For those who may have missed out on the first two films (or are just looking for a refresher), Hostel follows a secret Slovakian organization that lures unsuspecting tourists into deceptively idyllic hostels. Once inside, these travelers are drugged and sold to wealthy sadists and psychopaths who take great pleasure in torturing and killing them.
The first film, released back in 2005, tells the story of two American college graduates who stumble upon a Slovakian hostel that's promised to be filled with beautiful Eastern European women. But what they get instead is a nightmarish scenario where they're drugged, sold to the Elite Hunting Club, and subjected to unimaginable horrors.
The sequel, released in 2007, takes things up a notch (or rather, down a dark alleyway) as a trio of American art students are lured into a luxurious spa experience in Slovakia. But what starts out as a relaxing getaway quickly turns into a fight for survival when they're drugged and sold to the same Elite Hunting Club.
The film was met with widespread criticism and controversy upon its release, with some even calling it "obscene" and "misogynistic." But despite (or because of) this notoriety, Hostel became a cult classic, grossing over $82 million worldwide on a shoestring budget of under $5 million.
So what can we expect from the upcoming TV series? Well, according to The Hollywood Reporter, it's being described as a "modern adaptation" and "elevated thriller," which suggests that Roth is looking to take things in a new, more cerebral direction. But will this new approach tone down the graphic violence and gore that made Hostel so infamous?
Only time (and the writers' room) will tell, but one thing's for sure: with Peacock at the helm, we can expect some serious scares, twists, and turns.
And if you thought that was all, think again! This isn't even the only horror franchise getting the TV treatment. Peacock is also working on a Friday the 13th prequel series called Crystal Lake, which takes a deep dive into the backstory of Jason Voorhees' mother, Pamela. Because what's more terrifying than facing off against a vengeful killer - their mom?
Not to be outdone, HBO is getting in on the action with It: Welcome to Derry, a prequel series based on Stephen King's original novel about the killer clown. The 2017 remake and its 2019 sequel were huge hits, so it's no surprise that fans are clamoring for more.
But what really has everyone talking is Peacock's upcoming Alien prequel series, Alien: Earth. Set in the year 2120, this one follows Wendy, an android with the body of a robot but the consciousness of a human, as she crash-lands on earth and finds herself face-to-face with "mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined."
As the great philosopher once said (or rather, wrote): "In space, no one can hear you scream." But what happens when that same terror comes crashing down to Earth? We'll just have to wait and see.
Sources:
- TheScholarlyNote.com
- Variety