'The Guest' A Review

The Guest is a psychological thriller with flashes of horror and dark humor. The film opens on Afghanistan veteran David(Dan Stevens) running across the New Mexican desert accompanied by an eerie synth score. David, the titular guest, pays a visit to the family of his fallen comrade and ends up staying a while. As David ingratiates himself with the parents he develops a protective instructional relationship with their son Luke(Brendan Meyer) and an uneasy truce with their daughter Anna(Maika Monroe). David's charm is tempered by erratic behavior and we discover he is not exactly who he claims to be.

The film is a truly delightful genre bending piece of entertainment. Like the performances within the The Guest operates not under one particular genre but under a couple simultaneously. The bizarre score, the catchy soundtrack, and the layered performances bring heart, surprise, and freshness to a tired horror trope. What characterizes the film is not its suspense or horror but the enduring playfulness throughout. Centered around the grounded realism of its leads the film's mood is fluid, it satisfies our needs for relationship, thrill, action, camp and justice.

Stevens as David is incredible. Menacing and charming, alien and accommodating. He has the hardest job, from the beginning we know he is most likely the bad guy, we know he is hiding something, but even so he wins us over and we believe his charm and his desire to help the family he stays with. Monroe as Anna plays a realistic 20 year old, not wise beyond her years, not weak, not overcome by sexuality, not prone to hysterics, but rebellious, confused, wary, capable. She anchors the film in reality and plays both her suspicions of and attraction to David with a believability that elevates an already original film.

Dangerous and fresh, a perfect start to the fall.

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