Guest Review: Sonia Hickie on The Guest (Adam Wingard, 2013)

The Guest may not be what you would expect if you’re familiar with Adam Wingard’s earlier genre films, Home Sick (2007), A Horrible Way to Die (2010) and You’re Next (2011). The Guest has a much lighter, amusing feel and sports a slick 80’s visual style complemented by a soundtrack that evokes that period. David [Dan Stevens] arrives at the Petersen’s Midwest family home where the mother is still grieving for her son who has been killed in combat. With David claiming to be a friend of the deceased soldier, any apprehensions she has as to who this stranger may be are quickly lost as she finds someone she can talk to about her son. Similarly, the rest of the Petersen’s lose any apprehension as David’s psychotic charm wins each of them over, with the guest knowing exactly what different style of personality works on the individual family members.

The Guest is paced well with its only drawback being an ambiguity as to why events eventually spiral out of control, taking a short bathroom break at the wrong time could leave you mystified. Don’t over think Wingard’s latest exercise in genre film-making and just enjoy the film for what it is; a tongue in cheek homage to 80’s horror that will have you laughing rather than hiding behind your seat. With a memorable soundtrack and beautiful visuals that in the last few scenes are reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, The Guest is a deftly handled slice of entertainment.

Sonia Hickie

Flicks and the City review: You're Next

My first review of the new year is of Adam Wingard's terrific home invasion horror movie, You're Next. Starring former home and away regular Sharni Vinson, and featuring Ti West, Larry Fessenden and Joe Swanberg, Wingard's latest shocker is well worth seeking out.

Click on the link below to read my thoughts on it for Flicks and the City.

Flicks and the City: You're Next

Explore: Five more home invasion movies worth your time:

Funny Games

The Strangers

Ils (Them)

Mother's Day

A L'interieur (Inside)

My favourite films of 2013.

OK, 2013 has been and gone and it was a pretty good year for film-goers of all persuasions. Here's my favourite ten movies, in no particular order.

You're Next - Adam Wingard, USA, 95 minutes, horror

Bullhead - Michael R. Roskam, BEL, 128 minutes, drama  

After Lucia - Michel Franco, MEX, 103 minutes, drama

Sleep Tight - Juame Balaguero, SPA, 108 minutes, horror

The Selfish Giant - Clio Barnard, UK, 91 minutes, social realism

The Great Beauty - Paolo Sorrentino, ITA, 150 minutes, drama

Gravity - Alfonso Cuaron, USA, 91 minutes, science fiction

Simon Killer - Antonio Campos, USA/FRA, 101 minutes, drama

Beyond the Hills - Cristian Mungiu, ROM/FRA/BEL, 150 minutes, drama

Neighbouring Sounds -  Kleber Mendonca Filho, BRA, 131 minutes, thriller

Also worthy of mention are - 

Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Post Tenebras Lux, The Act of Killing, The Conjuring, Robot & Frank, Gimme the Loot, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire  and What Richard Did.

Last but not least, Gareth Evans' 'Safe Haven' section of V/H/S 2 is an absolutely astonishing slice of film-making.

Oh yes, the films that underwhelmed or annoyed - 

The Spirit of '45

After Earth

Only God Forgives

Olympus Has Fallen