The Host15

Directed by Bong Joon-ho | South Korea | 2006 | 1h 59m | Korean w/ English subtitles | Starring Song Kang-ho, Bae Doona, Ko Ah-sung, Park Hae-il, Byun Hee-Bong

When a terrifying monster rises from the River Han and snatches a young girl from her father, her family embarks on a desperate mission to track the creature and bring her home. Following his acclaimed Memories of Murder, Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) delivers a gripping creature feature with a sharp political undercurrent, inspired by a real 2000 incident in which the U.S. military ordered a Korean mortician to illegally dump formaldehyde into the river.

Reviews

‘Bong still offers a powerful rejoinder to his Hollywood counterparts: Anything you can do, I can do better.’
★★★★
Scott Tobias, The AV Club

‘You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you’ll jump, you’ll ask Hollywood for your money back. Seek it out.’
★★★★
Simon Crook, Empire Magazine

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Host between April 5, 2025 and April 8, 2025.

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What else is on?

Today (Sunday 14th December)

14:00

Kino Kids Muppet Christmas Carol U
1h 29m
The Muppets tell their version of Dickens's classic festive tale about a bitter old man's redemption. Gonzo, Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang lead us through this heartwarming family film filled with memorable songs to get you in the mood for Christmas.

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16:30

The Ice Tower 15
1h 57m | French w/ English subtitles
Runaway teenager Jeanne finds refuge in a film studio adapting The Snow Queen and becomes enthralled by enigmatic star Cristina. Marion Cotillard mesmerises in Lucile Hadžihalilović’s dreamlike, 1970s-infused tale of obsession, underscored by a hypnotic score.

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19:15

Alpha 18
2h 8m | French w/ English subtitles
Rebellious Alpha clashes with her doctor mother amid fears she’s infected by a terrifying blood-borne disease turning victims to marble. Julia Ducournau fuses body horror with emotional intensity, creating a visceral coming-of-age tale about identity, love, and fragile family bonds.

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Tomorrow (Monday 15th December)

17:30

Pillion 18
Descriptive Subtitles
1h 47m
Quiet traffic warden Colin’s life radically shifts when a domineering biker draws him into an unexpected BDSM relationship. Navigating desire, vulnerability, and boundaries, he uncovers new emotional depths. Harry Lighton’s fearless debut blends comedy, kink, and tenderness, starring Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård.

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20:00

CUTS: Secret Santa 18
Will you get what you want for CUTSMAS? Join CUTS (Cinema Under The Stairs) for their annual festive knees-up filled with mulled wine, popcorn, prizes, and a mystery Christmas classic movie selected by the audience! Ticket cost £10, book and vote today!

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!