THE GUEST (B-)

Bottom Line: Purposely throwing back to the low budget, churn-em-and-burn-em slasher flicks of the 80’s, this hilariously (and knowingly) cheesy home invasion B-movie thriller is a breath of fresh, post-summer blockbuster, pre-Oscar season air.  Devilishly serious in its intent and downright quirky in its execution, this bare bones and bonkers thrill ride soars on the charismatic and Bradley Cooper-esque wings of Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey).  Without his involvement, this would have easily played like a lazy and unwarranted DRIVE meets FRIDAY THE 13^th meets THE LOST BOYS by way of THE BOURNE IDENTITY wannabe.  He’s gets it and is never afraid to let us in on the joke as well…  Plus, the ham-fisted over-acting, under-written script, thinly plotted twists and super-synthesized soundtrack all gloriously lend themselves to the thick-as-molasses, 80’s action/horror vibe.  It’ll turn some on, it’ll turn others off.  Decisively familiar and still deliciously unique, THE GUEST is a move worth letting in.

Starring: Dan Stevens, Brendan Meyer and Maika Monroe

Directed by: Simon Barrett (YOU’RE NEXT)

Running time: 97 minutes

Studio description: A tense, action-packed and unpredictable film like everything and nothing you've ever seen before. (c) Picturehouse

Official site: www.theguestmovie.com