REVIEWS

Fantastic Fest 2014: 'The Guest' is Cool & Kick Ass, As It Should Be

by Jeremy Kirk
September 23, 2014

Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett are Fantastic Fest staples thanks to their surprise smash You're Next in 2011. The movie matched a cool, riotous attitude with a home invasion sub-genre that had been poking its head at horror audiences for years. Now they've again brought a cool, riotous attitude in droves. The Guest is more action than horror, but the edge is still there. Aided by Wingard's enormous talent for mood, an '80s vibe that isn't just pink neon and a synthesized score, and a rousing performance from Dan Stevens, The Guest delivers a sharp, swift punch to the chest of bland action and banal thrillers. Read on!

Stevens plays David, a soldier just returning home from a long tour. His first stop upon returning to American soil is to the family of Caleb, a fellow soldier who died in combat and who David promised he would check in on his family. At first, the family (mother Laura played by Sheila Kelley, father Spencer played by Leland Orser, teenaged daughter Anna played by Maika Monroe, and young son Luke played by Brendan Meyer) are unsure what to make of David, this friendly and seemingly peaceful stranger who's just appeared on their doorstep. Laura, still jostled by the loss of her oldest son, jumps at the chance to welcome David into their home. Slowly but surely, the other members of the family fall in favor for the new addition, but you know the drill. David's secret past is about to catch up to him, and more than a few innocent people are gonna get into the crosshairs.

As with You're Next, Barrett's screenplay moves quickly, the skills David picked up while serving coming into fast, impactful play against a couple of school bullies who have targeted Luke. The film makes no bones about the badassery stored inside David, but it finds its room to breathe in developing his connection with the individual members of the family. They each have their own secrets, normal, banal secret that quietly haunt most, American families. David's secret, however, is a ripper of a revelation, and, also like You're Next, its cool, kinetic drive keeps you guessing where the next turn is going to lead you.

The Guest's kinetic pace is assisted tremendously by Wingard, a director who finds a way of pouring on the slickness and style with minimal help from a modest budget. Regardless, the action that kicks in throughout the film is as polished as anything big-budget Hollywood has to offer. The explosions may not be quite as big, but damned if they don't still pack a cool kick. Likewise, Wingard cranks the atmosphere volume up a few notches, Steve Moore's poppy and hip score adding to the coolness of it all. The mood gives The Guest's Halloween setting a supporting nudge for genre fans and providing a nostalgic, somewhat tongue-in-cheek mood for the '80s-inspired thriller.

Adding sincerity to the darkly comedic mix is Stevens, trading in his "Downton Abbey" tuxedo for tight t-shirts, obligatory duffel bag, and a precision both with witty dialogue and physical excitement. Coming off a bit forced in the moments where David is being all serious and sweet with the family, it's a veritable thrill-ride any time the character resorts to violence. This, too, Wingard captures with exceptional clarity and composition, and the marriage (three-way?) between character, performance, and camera makes for the most memorable role the filmmaking team has given us.

The supporting players that make up the family are all finely placed. Unfortunately, Barrett's screenplay doesn't leave much time for their individual connections to develop. Laura and Anna hardly seem like mother-and-daughter, but this minor flaw in the dynamic of the cast is very easily explained away by the recent tragedy that has struck them. On the other hand, Lance Reddick's secondary turn is as surprising as it is cool, the actor nailing his character's attitude. The Guest shows a certain maturation in Wingard and Barrett's work since You're Next. The pace, kinetic as it is, still feels tightly wound around the film's brisk runtime and with room to spare. The finale doesn't quite make a mark on the same level of their earlier collaboration, but that never stops The Guest from its mission, delivering a solid, fresh action movie with plenty of kick and an entertaining edge. Mission: accomplished.

Jeremy's Fantastic Fest Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Follow Jeremy on Twitter - @JeremyKKirk

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