The Guest (2014)
TLDR: While it doesn't reinvent the genre, The Guest is a great and confidently made thriller centred upon yet another great performance by the talented Dan Stevens.
The Guest is one of those movies that easily slides outside the realm of mainstream awareness. Both on the surface and beneath, the film is a fairly straightforward and classic type of thriller, however, what makes it a success is its makers' clear understanding of tentpoles of the genre, Adam Wingard's confident directing, and the strong and consistent cast and their performances. The Guest doesn't break any new boundaries for the genre, but it is an excellent choice for a night when you crave the rushes of a good thriller.
The premise is centred on the arrival of an ex-military soldier, David (Dan Stevens), who one day shows up at the door of the Peterson home. The family has never met David before, but David tells them he served with their son, Caleb, and the two had become close prior to Caleb's recent tragic death. The family invites David to stay with them for a few days, and that's when things start to take off.
It's no surprise that there is more going on with David than what's let on and Stevens (who I have long been a huge fan of) is the creepiest I've seen him in The Guest. Between the 'dead eye' stare and the sudden blank-faced violence, Stevens establishes once again why he is one of the most versatile actors working today. Supporting him in the film are Maika Monroe (another quickly rising star), Brendan Meyer, Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser and two recognizable faces in Lance Reddick and Joel David Moore. The one area that I didn't overly like is in the film's final act where the film quite abruptly switches genres for a time. Though it did make sense based on the story, the sudden shift felt a bit jarring considering the rest of the film's atmosphere and pacing.
Whether you enjoy a good old thriller or are perhaps a big fan of Dan Stevens, The Guest is a film well worthy of your time. It has all of the classic trappings to keep you intrigued and on the edge of your seat, it is written and directed admirably, and its cast are all strong. So if ever you are in need for a late night flick, open your door and let The Guest in.
The Guest is one of those movies that easily slides outside the realm of mainstream awareness. Both on the surface and beneath, the film is a fairly straightforward and classic type of thriller, however, what makes it a success is its makers' clear understanding of tentpoles of the genre, Adam Wingard's confident directing, and the strong and consistent cast and their performances. The Guest doesn't break any new boundaries for the genre, but it is an excellent choice for a night when you crave the rushes of a good thriller.
The premise is centred on the arrival of an ex-military soldier, David (Dan Stevens), who one day shows up at the door of the Peterson home. The family has never met David before, but David tells them he served with their son, Caleb, and the two had become close prior to Caleb's recent tragic death. The family invites David to stay with them for a few days, and that's when things start to take off.
It's no surprise that there is more going on with David than what's let on and Stevens (who I have long been a huge fan of) is the creepiest I've seen him in The Guest. Between the 'dead eye' stare and the sudden blank-faced violence, Stevens establishes once again why he is one of the most versatile actors working today. Supporting him in the film are Maika Monroe (another quickly rising star), Brendan Meyer, Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser and two recognizable faces in Lance Reddick and Joel David Moore. The one area that I didn't overly like is in the film's final act where the film quite abruptly switches genres for a time. Though it did make sense based on the story, the sudden shift felt a bit jarring considering the rest of the film's atmosphere and pacing.
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