The Guest

This is just pure joy. A brutal film where people die who normally wouldn't. Yes, it's B-movie, but in the best sense. There's no shortage of blood and violence, but above all, there's also a great story that you follow with bated breath. A surprise out of the blue for me, even though the creators have already made some things in the past. (20/11/2014)

A slick, tasty, brisk and entertaining action thriller with a touch of the 80s, also incorporating modern elements, and also impressed by the soundtrack and Dan Stevens' amazing performance. There's no shortage of suspense, fast-paced action, quality dialogue, perfectly edited action and plenty of fallen bodies. If it had gone in a different direction at the end, I would have given it a full score. A film to my taste. 80% (11/12/2014)

This precisely tuned genre film for today’s overly sophisticated cinema rediscovers the power of basic concepts in the style of the 1980s and ’90s (the film refers to that era through the style of its music). The Guest doesn’t attempt to catch viewers off guard with unexpected twists or lead them by the nose with every possible references, but is rather built on the flawless fulfilment of expected formulas and genre attractions. The narrative relies primarily on the performances of the actors, where each of the main and supporting characters is superbly brought to life thanks precisely to the chosen actors. The highlight is the title character, captivatingly played by Dan Stevens, who proves to be an actor for whom Downton Abbey was too small and very restrictive. Through his performance, he wraps both the characters and the viewers around his finger, easily stepping out of the career shadow of the massively popular British series and leaving us in anxious anticipation of what he will do next. (21/12/2014)

A great return to the 80s in every sense. The main character is indeed a charismatic guy (though you’ll change your opinion about him as the story goes on, trust me), and while the plot may seem straightforward and there aren’t any major twists, everything flows as it should. Action is also present, though it sometimes veers into B-movie territory, but I enjoyed it. Most importantly, the film offers a delicious soundtrack full of high-energy tracks that make each moment even more enjoyable. As I mentioned, Dan Stevens delivered an excellent performance; it’s clear he can excellently bring well-crafted moments on paper to life. He didn’t say much, but his actions spoke for him (the scene in the bar where he knocked the souls out of four teenagers set this trend, like a modern-day Terminator). The ending in the barn with the perfect musical accompaniment confirmed that the strong four stars are well-deserved, and I don’t regret it at all. For me, it gets 84%. P.S. The very last scene was a surprise. (25/11/2018)

A polished retro affair with a charismatic protagonist who has tremendous potential for the future. If Dan Stevens continues to work well and be involved in good projects, we have something to look forward to – in recent years, perhaps only Michael Fassbender has been as captivating and charismatic. Actually, Adam Wingard, a relatively unknown director, is very similar, packing his guilty pleasure with an intriguing atmosphere (the music mix is equally captivating, just like in Drive) and uncompromising action. It is a trash film that dominates its subgenre, which is no small feat, but over time, you will inevitably forget about it. Despite all the details and the effort put into it, it is still bollocks. (30/06/2015)