"Hostel 2" is a smart and engaging sequel to its notorious original in the series, which is also written and directed by Eli Roth. "Hostel" is often times credited as one the films to inspire the term torture-porn, and while there are a few such scenes in this film, it is not the primary focus. Eli takes this opportunity to further explore the inner workings of the Elite Hunting Club and how members become involved. The film also examines how a group of women would be lured to the hostel in Slovakia, with obvious different motivations than the men had in the first film.
The movie begins with Paxton, the primary character from the first film. He has a long and detailed dream about the aftermath of his escape. When he awakes, his girlfriend tells him that he's being paranoid. She becomes distracted, leaving the room for a few moments, but upon her return, she finds that Paxton has been killed and his head removed.
The next scene then introduces this film's group of friends who are currently in Rome; practical Beth, outgoing Whitney, and introverted Lorna. The three women meet Axelle, who convinces them to join her on a spa getaway. They arrive in Slovakia and check into the hostel, where the quirky desk clerk from the first film takes their passports and uploads them to Elite's website, where men and women from around the globe begin placing bids on the auction for the three women.
An American named Todd wins both Beth and Whitney, celebrating his win while on the golf course. He then calls his best Stuart to tell him about his plans, and together the two quickly fly out to Slovakia. The two arrive in time to watch the women at the annual harvest festival. The friends notice that the cider is extremely strong, so Beth decided to stop drinking while Lorna is convinced that the drinks are not alcoholic. Beth is then hit on by a local, whom she politely declines several times before he declares that "I could have helped you". She then meets Stuart, and the two talk for a few moments. At this time, Lorna is escorted away down the river where she is kidnapped and delivered as a prize to the woman who won her auction.
Beth eventually becomes separated from her friends, waking up in the spa without her belongings. She is chased by a group of men, losing them in the woods only to be stopped by the street children from the first film. Before any harm can come, she is saved by Axelle and her boss, Sascha. They return to Sacha's mansion, were Beth accidently finds a trophy room with decapitated heads, including Paxton's, set on display. She is then gaged and taken to the torture factory. There she is joined by Stuart, dressed in a smock and ready to begin his torture. At first, he is reluctant but when he finds out that Todd has been killed because he couldn't finish off Whitney, he completes his friend's task before coming back for Beth. He explains that Beth reminds him of his hated wife, and this will be as close to killing her as he can get. Beth is able to get free and chains Stuart to the chair. The pair are interrupted by Sascha and a host of guards. Beth negotiates her freedom by buying the chance to kill Stuart, in which she does so in a very gruesome fashion. Beth becomes an Elite Hunting Club member, the only way to ensure her safety.
What I enjoy about this movie is how Eli shows the process of the auction and Todd's and Stuart's initiation into the Elite Hunting Club. Before we learn about Stuart's motivation, we hear how insecure Todd is and how killing someone will somehow make him someone to fear and respect. When Todd and Stuart arrive at the factory, they are required to receive the Club's official tattoo. Stuart is hesitant, knowing that his wife is not going to approve and ask too many questions about it. He only relents when he realizes that his and Todd's life are on the line if they don't go through with every requirement that the Club enforces. And we see what happens to Todd when he is unable to kill Whitney after he accidently maims her with a bone saw.
