The Guest
The Guest

Movie spotlight

The Guest

2017
Movie
19 min
Arabic

Even though he's been living with Fouad for three years, Malik is going to marry Halima. Since Fouad doesn't accept this marriage, which would imply a total upheaval of their everyday life, Malik makes him promise not to attend the wedding, which will take place in his parents’ village. As the ceremony approaches, the pressure builds. Will Malik choose to save face in front of his family and the wedding guests or will he choose to save the relationship with the one he loves?

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes91%
Metacritic76/100
Google Users84%
Director: Adam WingardGenres: Thriller, Horror, Action, Mystery

Plot Summary

A charismatic soldier, Caleb, returns home from war and seeks out the family of his fallen comrade. He charms his way into their lives, offering protection and help, but his mysterious past and violent tendencies soon come to light, leading to a terrifying confrontation.

Critical Reception

The Guest received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its stylish direction, suspenseful atmosphere, and Dan Stevens's captivating performance. It was praised for its blend of genres, evoking a sense of 1980s genre films while feeling fresh and original. Audiences also responded positively to its thrilling narrative and unexpected twists.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stylish and suspenseful direction, reminiscent of 80s thrillers.

  • Dan Stevens's performance as the enigmatic and dangerous protagonist is a major highlight.

  • Applauded for its effective genre blending and thrilling, unpredictable narrative.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's thrilling and suspenseful nature, with many commending the strong performances, particularly Dan Stevens. The film's unique blend of action, horror, and mystery was a frequent point of praise, though some viewers found certain plot developments to be overly convenient.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014.

Fun Fact

Director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett initially conceived the character of David as a 'friendly ghost' before evolving the concept into the more sinister and dangerous figure seen in the final film.

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