The Guest
Rent & Buy
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 critics thought
Adam Wingard's genre exercise earned strong notices from critics who responded to its self-aware 1980s-horror-and-action pastiche and to Dan Stevens' unnervingly charming lead performance — though some felt the film's intelligence runs out before the third act does, with the logic fraying as the homage tips into excess. Audiences have been cooler in the long run than critics were at release, leaving a gap between the film's critical reputation and its popular standing.
“dirty-sexy-funny homage to the vise-grip corkers that marked John Carpenter' and James Cameron's indie heyday”
Robert Abele·Los Angeles Times
“The Guest is blood-soaked action trash of a high grade”
Dennis Harvey·Variety
“Dumb fun is rarely this smartly delivered.”
A.V. Club
“Reds [...] are gorgeously vibrant, and the intentional grain texture, meant to give The Guest a somewhat timeless look, comes through subtly. The intentional glare of certain lighting is crisp, and the blacks are beautifully inky. The sound mix, which should be heard loud, boasts impressive nuance and heft”
Chuck Bowen·Slant Magazine
Genres
Mystery, Thriller, Action
Cast & Crew
Adam WingardDirector
Dan Stevens"David"
Maika MonroeAnna Peterson
Leland OrserSpencer Peterson
Sheila KelleyLaura Peterson
Brendan MeyerLuke Peterson
Chase WilliamsonZeke
Ethan EmbryHiggins
Joel David MooreCraig
Lance ReddickMajor Carver
Tabatha ShaunKristen
Steven John BrownMike
Brenden RobertsIan
Simon BarrettWriterThe Guest
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 critics thought
Adam Wingard's genre exercise earned strong notices from critics who responded to its self-aware 1980s-horror-and-action pastiche and to Dan Stevens' unnervingly charming lead performance — though some felt the film's intelligence runs out before the third act does, with the logic fraying as the homage tips into excess. Audiences have been cooler in the long run than critics were at release, leaving a gap between the film's critical reputation and its popular standing.
“dirty-sexy-funny homage to the vise-grip corkers that marked John Carpenter' and James Cameron's indie heyday”
Robert Abele·Los Angeles Times
“The Guest is blood-soaked action trash of a high grade”
Dennis Harvey·Variety
“Dumb fun is rarely this smartly delivered.”
A.V. Club
“Reds [...] are gorgeously vibrant, and the intentional grain texture, meant to give The Guest a somewhat timeless look, comes through subtly. The intentional glare of certain lighting is crisp, and the blacks are beautifully inky. The sound mix, which should be heard loud, boasts impressive nuance and heft”
Chuck Bowen·Slant Magazine
Genres
Mystery, Thriller, Action
Cast & Crew
Adam WingardDirectorDan Stevens"David"Maika MonroeAnna PetersonLeland OrserSpencer PetersonSheila KelleyLaura PetersonBrendan MeyerLuke PetersonChase WilliamsonZekeEthan EmbryHigginsJoel David MooreCraigLance ReddickMajor CarverTabatha ShaunKristenSteven John BrownMikeBrenden RobertsIanSimon BarrettWriterRent & Buy