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Director Adam Wingard’s home-invasion slasher “You’re Next” was one of last year’s most underrated movies — a pristinely-made skewering of the new generation of irony. For his follow-up, Wingard offers a stealthier type of home-invasion flick, in which the enemy doesn’t wear a mask and shoot arrows through windows, but is invited in through the front door.
Slimming down, chiseling up and leaving his period duds in the closet, “Downton Abbey” alum Dan Stevens plays David, a military vet who befriends the family of a fallen comrade, Caleb, and begins living with them after confessing that he made a promise to look after the deceased figure’s next of kin. David teaches Caleb’s kid brother, Luke (Brendan Meyer), how to stick up for himself; attracts and unnerves Caleb’s teenage sister, Anna (Maika Monroe); and becomes protector and surrogate son to Caleb’s mom, Laura (Sheila Kelley).
But, of course, David isn’t quite what he seems, and the tension of the film rests on just how long it will take for each family member to remove his or her blinders of grief to see it. As they did with “You’re Next,” Wingard and writer Simon Barrett revel in delivering a little throwback horror fun, fusing an electro-pop soundtrack and iconic thriller imagery with a newfangled mood that’s hip and relevant. “The Guest” has a recognizable grindhouse vibe, while still feeling resolutely of its time.
Stevens, an actor of television and stage who left many viewers unsure of his capabilities, proves himself more formidable than ever. He’s scary and utterly unpredictable as an enigmatic loose cannon, and his magnetic appeal attests to why it would take so long for his smitten hosts to see the truth. Anna is the one who starts putting the pieces together, and, as an actress, young Monroe suggests she’s much more than just another buxom blonde typecast in a Halloween-season thriller. Her scenes with Stevens are likely the film’s best, and while “The Guest” is no “You’re Next,” it’s a fine piece to sate the appetites of Wingard fans.
The Guest
R
Three reels out of four
Opens tomorrow in limited release
Recommended Rental
The Dog
Not-rated
Available Tuesday
In this thrilling and gonzo documentary, viewers are given a behind-the-scenes look at the real story of “Dog Day Afternoon,” the 1975 film sensation about bank robberies, gender confirmation surgery and New York hysteria. Wild card John Wojtowicz, the inspiration behind Al Pacino’s character in Sidney Lumet’s film, receives a vivid profile from filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren, resulting in a perfect companion piece to the American classic. ■
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