Eli Roth: A Career in Horror Films

Director Eli Roth came onto the scene like a flash in the night with his first major release Cabin Fever (2002). It wasn't a film with a monster nor a film with a slasher-style killer but instead it was a gory thriller about the bonds of friendship and how fragile they are when faced with an unspeakable dilemma - the flesh eating virus. It could have been a simple psychological thriller but instead Roth decided to take it to the next level by adding plenty of gore and blood to the mix and his own sense of dark humor. The film was both a financial success and a favorite of both horror fans and the general public. The film ushered in this new cycle of horror films that wasn't afraid of the "red stuff" (which included such films as High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes remake, Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake and the list goes on).

You'd think that a new director with this much success with his first major film would then move on to something more mainstream but in 2005 Roth unleashed his next film as director with Hostel. This love song to '70s era horror films and homage to more specifically Asian and European horror films (with nods to The Evil Dead Trap films and the modern day films of Takashi Miike) explored horror not known to most general American movie going audiences. This film, like its predecessor, was an assault on the senses not just because of the gore but also the sexual content found throughout. This film would also be a success for the filmmaker proving that he wasn't a one hit wonder.

Roth would then go on to be a director in demand by many producers who wanted to be in business with the hot new horror director. He would become attached to several projects that would eventually fall through before returning to the genre in 2007 with two of his most interesting projects. The first to be released was his faux trailer "Thanksgiving" which was included in the double feature extravaganza Grindhouse. Like the other faux trailers included in the '70s era exploitation style film horror fans loved his holiday themed slasher trailer. It also helped that Roth starred in the Quentin Tarantino directed segment "Death Proof" (a slasher film itself). In the same year his next film Hostel Part II was released which in many cases was superior to the first one. Not only was Roth's writing becoming more pronounced but his style of filmmaking was coming unto its own. Despite Roth having a great creative year as a filmmaker both films failed at the Box Office (although they both have their own cult following). The gory horror film cycle seemed to be coming to an end.

Roth did not let this deter him in the slightest as he was also dabbling in producing and acting as well. In addition to producing his own films Roth went on to produce 2001 Maniacs (2005) - the sequel to Hershel Gordon Lewis' 2000 Maniacs - which was a huge hit with horror fans (spawning the just released sequel 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams). His other recent success as producer was the theatrical feature The Last Exorcism (2010) and he has no fewer than five other films in some form of production. Despite producing these solid horror films it is as an actor that many people now recognize him.

In addition to having a roll in his own films he has also made appearances in various low budget and major films including Tales From the Crapper (2004), Southland Tales (2006), Grindhouse (2007), and the recent blood soaked extravaganza Piranha 3-D (2010). His most recognizable roll was in the Box Office hit Inglourious Basterds (2009) in which he played Sgt. Donny Donowitz. This being said, Roth is not a director that strays from the flock. This is never more evident than from the news that his latest directorial effort is the remake of the Tobe Hooper classic The Funhouse in 3-D and some of the films he is producing include Clown, Psycho Killer, and Aftershock. Roth has made a home for himself in the horror genre and as long as he continues to craft engaging and new horrors he will always have fans.