#The Guest Is The Perfect Halloween Watch

Stevens became famous for acting in stodgy period romances on the BBC, but he’s in totally different form in “The Guest.” He skirts the line between creepy and cool, his lingering stares leaning closer to stalker territory as the movie progresses. Even though she doesn’t trust him, Anna develops a bit of a crush on him (girl, same), and even makes him a mix CD of her favorite music. David knows how to turn on the charm, but the filmmakers regularly remind us that he’s not as sweet as he seems. He manages to keep his murderous tendencies on the down-low for awhile, but when Anna overhears a phone call where he’s asking for fingers, her crush becomes concern. 

Everyone puts in a great performance, but Stevens anchors every single scene with a quiet intensity. It feels like he’s constantly tensed and ready to strike, like an animal that’s been cornered but won’t go down without a fight. By the time he kills a couple of local criminals (played by Joel David Moore and Ethan Embry, who should both be in everything), we know that this story can’t have a happy ending. 

“The Guest” becomes a game of cat-and-mouse that switches players multiple times, and revealing any more than that would do it a disservice. This sexy, stylish flick is a lean thriller that deserves a massive cult following. Honestly, the soundtrack does too.