Twenty years after the first film launched the controversial torture porn franchise, a series adaptation ofHostelhorror is moving forward and has landed a streaming home. The movie was written and directed by Eli Roth, and followed American tourists in Slovakia,kidnapped by a mysterious group that allows wealthy elites to torture and murder peoplefor money.
Despite the controversy surrounding its graphic violence and gore,the movie was a box office success, spawning two sequels, a follow-up written and directed by Roth, and a direct-to-video third movie, which Roth was not involved with. Roth had previously revealed his intent to develop furtherHostelmovies, though this looks to be going on a different path.
PerVariety, aHostelTV adaptation is in development at Peacock,with original creator Eli Roth on board, and Paul Giamatti set to star. Chris Briggs and Mike Fleiss, who produced the divisive horror movie franchise, will serve as executive producers alongside Roth, who will also write and direct.
What This Means For The Hostel TV Show’s Prospects
A Streaming Adaptation Could Reinvigorate The Franchise
There has not beenaHostelmoviesince the direct-to-video threequel, which also has the best critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, but a series adaptation is one of the best ways of being able to reinvigorate the franchise.The fact that Roth is also involved bodes well for ensuring quality and tonality, and means there might be plenty of links to the original movies.
Of course, given the graphic nature of the movies, aHostelTV series presents a risk, and it’s likely the gore and torture would need to be stripped back and toned down. There is also the possibility thatthe show could take on more of a thriller dynamic, utilizing the world of the films to tell different stories.
Whatever direction the show elects to take, one thing that could makeHostela potential hit isthe lack of any other horror shows on Peacock. Up to this point, every prior series has either been cancelled or ended, including Roth’s ownFright Krewe, with the only other show on the horizon beingFriday the 13thprequel,Crystal Lake.
Our Take On Peacock’s Hostel Series
With Roth & Giamatti Involved, The Show Is In Safe Hands
The fact that the show has managed to secure an actor withGiamatti’s filmographyin the lead is a huge coup, as he is an actor of undeniable pedigree and presence. His leading role, coupled with Roth penning the show,should meanHostelis a big hit on Peacock, but changes will have to be made.
It will be interesting to see the direction the series takes, and how this will differ from what the movies presented.Hostel IIIwas less graphic than the previous installments, and this could be the direction theHostelshow will adopt, but with Roth on board, he might also want to stick to his vision, and push the boundaries of TV gore.
Hostel
Cast
Eli Roth’s Hostel is a horror film set in Europe where a group of tourists from America seeks a life-changing adventure during the height of their youth. When Paxton and Josh travel abroad, they enjoy the nightlife of Amsterdam until they find themselves locked out of their hostel. Invited by a man to stay with him, they follow him to Slovakia, tempted by two women that promise them a night they won’t forget. However, they wake up after their encounters to find themselves trapped in a torture dungeon and must do what it takes to escape and survive.
