If The House Of The Devil marked Ti West as a spiritual successor to Roman Polanski, The Guest sees Adam Wingard sharing much in common with horror maestro John Carpenter, not least his love of minimal electronic scores and relentless, unstoppable killers. Dan Stevens (best known for Downton Abbey) plays the titular guest, a soldier known as David who arrives at the family home of a fallen comrade. It doesn't take long for the more astute family members, including daughter Anna (Maika Monroe, who also starred in last year's excellent retro-styled horror film It Follows), to figure out that there's more to David than meets the eye, particularly when government agents start snooping around. There have been some great American independent movies like The Guest in recent years which effortlessly hark back to 80s horrors and thrillers, and if you like the retro vibe of Wingard's homage then Blue Ruin and Cold In July should be next on your "To Watch" list.
