The Perfect Host

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The Perfect Host

R

Released Jul 1, 2011

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

44%

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32 Reviews

55%

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5,000+ Ratings

A crook on the run cons his way into a dinner party whose host is anything but ordinary.

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Ian Buckwalter

NPR

Around every corner is a new twist, a strategically placed misdirection or another switch of predator and prey. But while the gamesmanship is satisfying in moderation, it becomes a little monotonous in excess.

Rated: 4/10

Jul 1, 2011

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Elizabeth Weitzman

New York Daily News

Crawford radiates charisma, and Pierce sells even the nuttiest moments.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 1, 2011

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

The less one knows about this perverse thriller from debuting director Nick Tomnay the better; a full appreciation of its delights lies in its revelations.

Jul 1, 2011

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Will Leitch

Deadspin

This is not the type of movie whose inherent dopiness angers or frustrates. You just sort of giggle at the kids having fun.

Rated: C+

Jun 22, 2013

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Matt Joseph

We Got This Covered

Nick Tomnay's The Perfect Host manages to take a rather simple premise and do something rather inventive and refreshing with it.

Rated: 7/10

Mar 2, 2013

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

The plot isn't believable, but it sure is fun. It skewers expectations and has a lot of unexpected turns.

Rated: B

Feb 10, 2012

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Emil P

It was pretty good. The plot was interesting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

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Bert K

This movie feels like someone got high and thought “What if we combined Frasier, Hannibal, and the Usual Suspects?” And that they did. A straight-to-VHS feel with so many odd choices in storytelling and editing — the flashbacks are just atrocious. The movie somehow manages to feel neither tight nor sprawling in its scope — an achievement of sorts? Instead it proceeds so disjointedly it’s really seems like someone repurposed their various fan fictions and either blindly believed it worked (narrator: it didn’t) or they had procrastinated, then stayed up late writing the script the night before it was due and this is what we got. David Hyde Pierce did what he could, but the movie is perfectly forgettable, and even during in its best moments I caught myself thinking it’d be better to watch one of the movies or shows that was imitating.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

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barbara a

Very interesting movie. So creepy! Put me on edge throughout.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/16/24

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tm11999 M

great thriller with lots of twists that leave you guessing. pierce can play out of type if he wants. watch it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/24

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M B

I liked it- but- it's one of those movies that has you backtracking in your head, like- "wait a minute, I thought..." Way too many coincidences in the end, but the ride was good for awhile. Perhaps gruesome, but then, perhaps not. Clayton Crawford just must be the offspring of Hollywood royalty, he has that look. And David Hyde Pierce was doing the most awesome Miles squared ever- I think he even shared a line from Frasier. Worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/24

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Karina P

I do NOT understand these reviews. This movie is actually a classic & one of my favorites. It's a great thriller but also a hilarious movie with an amazing twist! If you like thrillers and comedy, It's a movie that I guarantee you won't regret watching. Both main actors are amazing & do an awesome job.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

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Nicholas Tomnay

Director

David Hyde Pierce

Warwick Wilson

Nathaniel Parker

Det. Morton

Clayne Crawford

John Taylor

Helen Reddy

Cathy Knight

George Cheung

Storekeeper

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Synopsis

A crook on the run cons his way into a dinner party whose host is anything but ordinary.

Director: Nicholas Tomnay
Producer: Stacey Testro, Mark Victor, Martin Zoland
Screenwriter: Nicholas Tomnay
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Stacey Testro International
Rating: R (Some Violent Content|Language|Brief Sexual Material)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 1, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $48.4K
Runtime: 1h 34m

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