The Guest Review

What is cool? The answer to that question is completely down to opinion, but on a cinematic level it falls into patterns. It began with Nic Refn’s Drive, a film that could best be described as post-modern 80’s pastiche, fuelled by its cool jackets and synth soundtrack, and this continues in the form of Adam Wingard’s The Guest. Again the 80s soundtrack is in place creating the post-modern 80’s vibe with a partnership in neon, and Adam Wingard demonstrates his cineliterate mind referencing 80s horror and action. Wingard’s first film You’re Next was a brilliant horror film that managed to place family feuds at the centre of a slasher narrative, The Guest goes bigger and bolder. The family stuff is in place again and the interplay between the Jefferson’s is well written and well acted, but this film entirely rests on the performance of Dan Stevens as the titular guest David, and he knocks it out the fucking park. The man who once dwelled in Downton Abbey couldn’t be further from manor houses as the charming yet menacing David, every look, every smile and every compliment ooze with menace, you know David is 100% bad news, but like the Jefferson family you fall for him completely and don’t think for a second at what the violent outcome will be. David is definitely the best character of the year so far, and he makes this film what it is. The film is also laugh out loud funny, its so refreshing to see a director with a sick sense of humour, if you’re not laughing at this, you’re not watching it properly. (High 5 Stars)