Wes's Grade: B
"The Guest" an exciting, often tense psychological thriller
The entertaining new psychological thriller "The Guest" is one of those little films that manages to pull a few surprises from a dark, albeit, unoriginal premise. The film seems to get a kick out of being a B-grade film, and it features a breakout performance from British actor Dan Stevens from "Downton Abbey," who looks far different than he does on that TV show. The Peterson family finds some solace when an unexpected visitor knocks on their door. David (Stevens), a steely eyed and charismatic soldier and friend of their late son, is welcomed into their home when he comes to fulfill a promise he made to his fallen comrade. Though he appears to be the perfect houseguest, a mysterious and sinister chain of events causes the family to question whether David is actually who he claims to be. Directed by horror film director Adam Wingard of "You're Next," the low-budgeted but often suspenseful thriller and revenge tale "The Guest" is one of those pleasant surprises; it seems to take pleasure and builds some excitement in being a B-grade film and seems to channel 1970s Charles Bronson or John Carpenter. The real find here is from Stevens in a breakout performance for the "Downton Abbey," in a psychotic role that's far, far different from the stuffiness of that popular British soap opera. The farther along the film goes, the more violent it gets, though that violence seems to predict the unoriginal plotting, which finds glee in getting violent revenge in the most unusual of ways. The intensity and violence of "The Guest" may not appeal to those who enjoy happy films and happy endings - you won't find it here - though there's still fun to be had. Not for everyone and it's a little too calculating down its later stretches, but "The Guest" is an exciting, if not violent, change of pace. 
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