The Host
A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans.
Working with a mid-range budget of $44.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $63.3M in global revenue (+44% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Host (2013) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Andrew Niccol's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 9-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Melanie Stryder runs desperately through an abandoned hotel, hunted by Seekers in a world where alien "souls" have taken over human bodies. She jumps from a window rather than be captured, establishing her as a fierce resistor in a conquered world.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Seeker discovers the hideout location, putting everyone at risk. Wanderer realizes that her presence - no matter how well-intentioned - endangers the humans she has come to love. The dream of belonging to both worlds dies; she must choose, and choosing means sacrifice., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The humans remove Wanderer from Melanie's body and return Melanie to herself. But they also place Wanderer into a new host body (a human who was already lost), allowing both souls to live. They capture the Seeker and rescue other humans from Soul possession., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Host's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 9 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Host against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Niccol utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Host within the action genre.
Andrew Niccol's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Andrew Niccol films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Host represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Niccol filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Andrew Niccol analyses, see Gattaca, Lord of War and S1m0ne.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Melanie Stryder runs desperately through an abandoned hotel, hunted by Seekers in a world where alien "souls" have taken over human bodies. She jumps from a window rather than be captured, establishing her as a fierce resistor in a conquered world.
Theme
After Wanderer is implanted in Melanie's body, the instructor tells her: "You have been given a great gift - a human host." The theme emerges: what makes us human - our bodies or our souls? Can identity transcend the physical?
Worldbuilding
Wanderer is introduced to Earth through her host Melanie's eyes. We learn the alien Souls have peacefully conquered Earth by taking human hosts. The Seeker interrogates Wanderer about Melanie's memories of human resistance hideouts, establishing the central conflict and world rules.
Resistance
Wanderer struggles with Melanie's persistent memories of Jared and Jamie. The Seeker pressures her to reveal the human hideout location. Wanderer debates between loyalty to her species and the growing influence of Melanie's love and memories. She resists cooperating fully with the Seeker.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Wanderer lives among the human resistance in their cave hideout. She experiences human emotions, earns tentative trust, and develops genuine feelings for Ian while Melanie's consciousness still loves Jared. The premise promise: a soul discovering humanity from the inside.
Opposition
The Seeker intensifies her search and gets closer to finding the human hideout. Internal conflicts grow as some humans still distrust Wanderer. Jared struggles with seeing Melanie's body but a different soul. The community faces hard choices about whether to trust a Soul among them.
Collapse
The Seeker discovers the hideout location, putting everyone at risk. Wanderer realizes that her presence - no matter how well-intentioned - endangers the humans she has come to love. The dream of belonging to both worlds dies; she must choose, and choosing means sacrifice.
Crisis
Wanderer processes the devastating reality that she cannot stay without risking human lives. She sits with the darkness of having to leave the only life where she felt truly alive. Both Wanderer and Melanie face losing everything they love.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The humans remove Wanderer from Melanie's body and return Melanie to herself. But they also place Wanderer into a new host body (a human who was already lost), allowing both souls to live. They capture the Seeker and rescue other humans from Soul possession.