Review of The Guest (2014) by Aglaia D — 11 Aug 2015
So I was browsing Netflix and saw 'The Guest' and said 'Oh shit they have this movie!' - got really excited! Good buzz surrounded this indie film and it definitely lived up to it.
The Guest - feels like something we've seen before with a contemporary narrative. There are familiar elements of 'Hurt Locker'. A little bit of 'Jason Bourne'. Even a bit of 'American Psycho'. But it all plays out very slick and Cool thanks to a badass performance from lead actor Dan Stevens (who I heard stars in Downton Abbey, I wouldn't know lol) - who plays, David, a handsome veteran returning from an unnamed war (we assume Iraq or Afghanistan). A family lost their son to the war and David shows up one day to offer his condolences. David introduces himself as their son's friend, and he comes across as safe and a bit vulnerable (war sympathy here), and is eventually invited to stay the night while he makes his way home.
David, with his warmth, charm and disarming smile, offers very little in the way of background details but still manages to ingratiate himself with the family. He helps the Son with school bullies. He helps out Mom with cooking. He helps Dad with his job. And he helps Daughter with her social life issues. David is very helpful and PERFECT - and that's why we know something bad is going to happen lol.
At one point in the movie the audience is made aware that David is not what he seems. We realize that something is about to happen, and we HOPE that the family will be okay when shit goes to shit. I cannot offer any more than that - BUT the third act is when everything goes into straight terror mode. The sheepskin comes off and the wolf is unleashed.
If you've seen Robert Rodriguez's 'Dusk Before Dawn', then you know how a movie can start off one way, take a SHARP left turn into 'WTF?!' -land, and become something totally Else. That's what 'The Guest' does. I'm not giving away anything else away because this is where the fun begins ? You'll have to see for yourself.
Perfect Netflix movie! ?
This review of The Guest (2014) was written by Aglaia D on 11 Aug 2015.
The Guest has generally received positive reviews.
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