The Guest *** (2014, Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Ethan Embry) – Movie Review

Dan Stevens stars as David, an American soldier who suddenly turns up at the house of the Peterson family, introducing himself as the buddy of their son who’s died in action in Afganistan. Without too much hesitation or suspicion (though their carelessness in reasonably credibly done), the couple (Maika Monroe, Joel David Moore) welcome David into their home, just for the night, then for a few days, then… Well then they start to suspect that a series of accidental deaths may somehow be connected to his presence.

Could this creepy, hunky charmer possibly be a crazed killer? Somehow we pretty much know from the moment David knocks on the door that this is the scenario we’re up for. It’s the Hand That Rocks the Cradle idea but with a soldier, and so mixing in Somersby and Martin Guerre. Good, fine, this idea is recyclable for ever, especially as a horror thriller. There are no surprises, we know where it’s going, so it’s all in how it’s done.

The good news is, the first two thirds of The Guest are very well done indeed. Dan Stevens, showing off his new body and new image and new American accent, is first rate in a great change of pace from his Downton days. Yes, he got a huge laugh when he takes his shirt off, but it’s still a great moment and a great chest. Dan can do it. He moves from charming to creepy to chilling in three effortless easy stages. In many ways he’s the making of the movie. His three expressions of brooding, scowling and raging are just about enough to fill the film’s 100 minutes on their own.

Unfortunately the movie’s third act goes absolutely haywire, totally off the rails, trying far too damned hard for a big, blood-soaked finish. The Guest gets hysterical in its wish to please and satisfy, when subtle is the route to go. Psychological terror, my friend, is much scarier than gore and OTT carnage. Even so, 80s retro slasher movie fans may relish it.

Nevertheless, this is an excellent little B movie chiller, well and excitingly made, and making a huge virtue of its low-budget pulp trashiness. Packed with suspense and tension, it doesn’t let up, it never gets boring, and has a sly dark sense of humour to get it over some bumps. The cheesy 80s soundtrack is great and Stevens is a total class act, somehow keeping sympathy on his side even when he goes nuts. For all this, much thanks and credit to writer Simon Barrett and director Adam Wingard, the maker of You’re Next. Good job, lads!

© Derek Winnert 2014 Movie Review

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