The Guest
2014 · Directed by Adam Wingard
Original language: English
- mystery
- thriller
- action
The story
A soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.
What it’s like
Saturated, synth-driven neon and hard-edged suburban night: Adam Wingard's The Guest is lit like a fever dream, with bruised purples and electric reds washing over ordinary kitchens, diners and a Halloween-costumed town, while the camera stays composed and mostly steady, cutting on the beat of Steve Moore's pulsing electronic score. Its vibe is slick, sardonic and unsettling, a stylish retro thriller that plays like an 80s action movie crossed with a black comedy. Pacing is brisk and escalating, with sudden bursts of brutal, fast violence and a few gory, darkly comic kills; expect real bloodshed, a menacing tone and some harassment and bullying among the teens, but no sexual content. The emotional register is cool and playful at the surface with grief simmering underneath, and its central figure, a charming ex-soldier who may not be what he seems, is traced as a slow, ambiguous unmasking. Best for viewers who want a late-night, high-energy genre ride with a wink, rather than anything gentle.
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