The Perfect Host

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The Perfect Host

R

2011

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

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

Jul 1, 2011

4/10

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.

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Elizabeth Weitzman

New York Daily News

Jul 1, 2011

3/5

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

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Jul 1, 2011

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.

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Will Leitch

Deadspin

Jun 22, 2013

C+

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

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Matt Joseph

We Got This Covered

Mar 2, 2013

7/10

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

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Feb 10, 2012

B

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

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Ryan T

@RT91888008 Oct 7, 2026

Weird, creepy, and keeps you on your seat.

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J H

@UpstateNYThriller Jul 22, 2026

9.1/10 Great movie. Guy with mental issues harbors, a guy who just robbed a bank who pretends to know his friend. Turns out to be detective. Very good plot twist. Interesting movie Thriller Crime

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Mary H

@RT23479994 Jul 3, 2026

I absolutely loved this movie!! I really enjoyed this other side of “Niles”!! I will definitely watch it again!!

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S. O

@Col._Angus Jun 24, 2026

I probably liked this more than I should've. It's an interesting, twisted story with a pretty solid ending. David Hyde Pierce is great in this. It's worth a watch. And yes, the guy in the convenience store was in fact in The Kentucky Fried Movie. Look it up.

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J H.

@nogster Apr 17, 2026

Entertaining movie. Who knew Niles could be like this!

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Kevin K

@KEVINBGOODEJR Feb 1, 2025

My 3 rating is comparing the performance to David’s portrayal of Niles Crane . It gives me entertaining pleasure in watching how versatile he is as an actor. Sure the script was a bit odd with invisible guests constantly appearing for long periods of time; maybe would have been better if the guests weren’t visible as much, or had a deeper character plot to it, being more dangerously crazier lol.

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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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