The Guest (DVD): Review

The Film

A film with a bit of mystery, a bit of thriller and some action. The Guest is about a soldier, back from deployment overseas. He pays a visit to the family of a fallen army buddy, the Petersons. The family urges him to stay a few days, but soon a series of sudden deaths start pointing to something in his past, a secret mission, an experiment, something not being as it seems.

David (Dan Stevens) is a cool character. You like him from the start, but is he just too nice? With the straight forward story, one would think The Guest would be easy to predict. And that is probably what they want you to think. They mess with your mind, much like it seems someone has messed with David’s mind.

With a story shifting so often, it keeps the entire viewing experience fresh. David is immediately likeable, however this is bound to change back and forth throughout the story as appearances seem to change, and one is not quite sure what his motives are. Worse still, is he is always polite, quiet and calm.

When we eventually reach the action sequences, they are well presented, not over the top, choosing rather to keep things within the realm of realistic, and maintaining this right up until the climactic showdown.

The Guest is an enjoyable film, one that will keep you trying to outguess the main character, but not one that will require too much concentration to follow. A fun, action thriller, to keep anyone entertained for an evening. The feeling of a horror, with the pace of a thriller.

Disc And Bonus Features

The disc is encoded at a high bitrate, with no visible artefacts on screen. The image is clear, and stable. For thsoe with the correct hardware or software, the video can be scaled up to a larger screen.

Sound is presented in a 5.1 mix, with ample use of the surrounds to enhance the on-screen action, and further draw the viewer into the story.

Menus, while very plain and basic, are easy to use and functional.

There are no bonus features on the disc, other than a few trailers at the beginning.

The Guest is available now, for purchase on disc, in South Africa.

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb