A shimmering example of “stranger danger” incarnate, this film is uncomfortable from the get-go. Obviously, something is off about the handsome soldier our grieving family welcomes into their home, but the real horror lies in David’s unpredictability. At first, it would seem that those he’s chosen to protect are safe from his ruthlessness, but what happens when those same people start digging too deep? Dan Stevens goes from charming to terrifying as soon as that smile vanishes and he’s staring into the camera for an uncomfortably long take. The violence is quick, unexpected, and brutal. My only criticism is in David’s backstory. The explanation given doesn’t quite jive with the situation at hand. But at its surface, The Guest is a tense, unsettling thriller and a fun watch for the Halloween season.
