The Guest
Adam Wingard is pretty much a director who delivers everything the audience wanted from a movie without cinemagoers being entirely sure of what that was in the first place. The response ends up being this feverish reaction similar to taking many flaming sambucas, kissing an attractive person and finding a million pounds on the floor. For example, 2013’s You’re Next was a riotous hoot that gives about the same pleasure as really good oral sex and will have you screaming with throws of orgasmic gratification from the first arrow to the goddamn eye.
But how, one has to ask, do you follow up one of the best horror movies in recent years? And how do you make it a billion times better?
The Guest. That’s how.
Now I’m a little late to The Guest party. But I’m not late on the Dan Stevens train that has pulled into hottieville and “oh, by the way, I’m pretty much excellent” station. And since those piercing blue eyes stared at me from the shelves of DVD shops, I couldn’t help put give into my twanging ovaries and buy it. Yes, like advertisers have been luring men into forking over their hard earned cash because their penis was leaking liquids all over the big-titted girl sprawled over the car, my lady loins practically grew arms and clasped the film without a second-thought.
This isn’t entirely relevant to the review because the less you hear about my heated lady bits is probably for the best. However, it might give you some idea why I didn’t laud this up when it hit cinemas this summer. Or why I’m giving two shits about it now. Or maybe, I just like telling you about my front bottom. Either way, if I had caught seen it on initial release, it would’ve definitely featured highly on my “Best of 2014” lists – which sadly, it didn’t.
Regardless, The Guest sees Dan Stevens take America by storm in Wingard’s recent feature. Here, the Downton Abbey star is the mysterious stranger who lands on the doorstep of grieving family the Peterson’s. The family had just lost their eldest son Caleb in the Afghanistan war and this stranger appears, proclaiming to be David Collins – a friend of Caleb’s after serving in the same unit. Soon, thanks to his kind nature and friendliness, David has integrated himself into the familie’s lives – only raising suspicion with the daughter Anna. Because despite the goodness, he certainly has some darker secrets to hide. Secrets that come to the boil in the most gloriously vicious ways.
Wingard must be some kind of maniacal genius who has stumbled upon the secret formula for deliver outstanding blows with hilarity, tension and gusto. That, or he sold his soul to the devil with a similar smirk to David’s and hasn’t looked back since (delivering that epitomes thumbs up to one another saying; “good job.”) The Guest is similar to You’re Next but levels up like an eighties videogame machine boss, bringing the ultra-colourful vibrancy with it. With hefty violence that is delivered with enough intelligence that you are unsure where it is coming from, and pounded out with speedy ferociousness, The Guest is that film that relishes in its madness and allows you to do so as well. Wingard balances action with hilarity, bloodshed with humour and has you lapping up the mayhem. It’s slick and sure of itself, making it the most fun film of 2014.
(This scene is clearly important for something something reasons)
In the main role of this wonderfully genius film is Dan Stevens who is clearly loving every moment of being the action hero/villain. His the brooding grin of violence that captures the ferociousness of the entire film. He can quip as well as supply some hefty blows in a bone crunching and blood spilling way. The English actor tackles the American gritty vocal chords to great effect, all the while having his piercing blue eyes and skilled fighting. He talentedly brings the perfect balance of intrigue and assured might to David, making him an enthralling and engaging character. The actor comes in full force, making you sympathise yet fear him all at once. It’s a terrific performance that has given a boost to Stevens’ career. Opposite him is relative new comer Maika Monroe, who gives an endearing performance as the suspicious post-high school heroine who is quickly suspicious of David’s intentions and starts to do something about it. There’s great chemistry between the pair as well – the relationship twisting and turning before the explosive finale.
The Guest is just carnage, but astutely done. There are some amazing scenes including a Halloween maze that should, I believe, become one of those horror mazes with a Dan Stevens look a like following you around. There is this outstanding soundtrack of 80s synth music that captures the film’s spirit. And it is very much a celebration of that era of B-Movie action and horror movies, giving it this phenomenal aesthetic as well as an almost whimsical nature. A tantalising affair that leaves you giddy and excited. In short, The Guest is sublime.