A knock on the door for the Peterson family is all it takes for their worlds to turn upside down. Discharged from the army, David (Dan Stevens) arrives at the door of the Peterson household welcomed by Laura (Sheila Kelly) and Spencer (Leland Orser) as a consolation for their dead son who David once served with.

 

As he settles in with the family, protecting son Luke (Brenden Meyer) from the school bullies and crossing paths with Anna’s (Maika Monroe) unhealthy friends. David pulls no punches and when he says he’s here to protect them, he means it. That is at least until they discover who he really is, or isn’t.

 

Writer Simon Barrett has woven in both dark and sinister with the effortless charm of David that really couldn’t have been played by anybody other than Stevens. Like your loving brother, even when his charm is washed away with the ensuing bloodshed it’s hard not to love him, even in his final nod.

 

And speaking of brothers, ‘The Guest’ could run side by side with Nicolas Refn’s ‘Drive’. Not only is ‘The Guest’ similar in tone to the 80’s throwback theme, perfectly crafted by Adam Wingard, but supported by a killer soundtrack that would make any 80’s slasher seem modern. From styling to soundtrack to the final run through a halloween fun house there is nothing but charm oozing from ‘The Guest’.

 

Whether you’re laughing out loud at Luke defend himself against bullies with David turning up to save him from his punishment or wincing at his carelessness to take out an entire diner without grimace, if you thought ‘No One Lives’ was a cool refreshing look at senseless violence then ‘The Guest’ will have you reaching out for your shades and beginning to go back to the 80’s.

 

Without a doubt, there is nothing to dislike about ‘The Guest’ and if the 80’s infused tints don’t keep you happy, there is enough to keep you gripped sharing sinister tones similar to last years ‘Stoker’ and enough balance between tension and violence to keep you until the very retro ending. a sure-fire pass for the action-thriller of the year, and more of Dan Stevens wouldn’t go amiss.