Sometimes you have one of those films you just need to share with your friends one of those films for me is 2014's THE GUEST. The highly underrated thriller wasn't a huge financial success but the film was highly praised by critics and it has gone one to achieve a bit of cult status as more people discover it in the years since its release. Directed by Adam Wingard and starring Dan Stevens, the film follows a solider that introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in combat. After he is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence. The film is a wonderful throwback to thrillers of the '80s like THE HITCHER and Stevens steals the show as the mysterious title character. Thoughts of a sequel have never crossed my mind because I didn't know if there was a demand for one but Stevens says the possibility of one has been discussed with Wingard and writer, Simon Barrett.
During an interview with "Forbes", Stevens was discussing his role in the Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams comedy, EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA and Dave Franco's THE RENTAL when the topic of a sequel was brought up. While he says it has been talked about, he thinks it may be a ways away considering how busy Wingard is now:
"We've certainly talked about it. I'd love to work with both Adam Wingard, the director, and Simon again. Adam's pretty busy with giant apes and monsters at the moment with Godzilla vs. Kong. Simon and I have talked about many things. A sequel to The Guest has come up. I don't know quite what form that would take, and I think we are a way off from it happneing, but it's always a possibility."
Without giving too much away, the film's ending could lend to a sequel although I'd be perfectly happy if they left the film as a solid standalone. THE GUEST was made for $5 million and only grossed $2.7 million but Stevens, who also appeared in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and the series' Downton Abbey and Legion, says THE GUEST is the movie he's most associated with now that more people have discovered it:
"Simon Barrett, the writer of The Guest, said to me the other day that all 'cult film' means is that it didn't make any money at the time. It's been delightful that it's continued to have this life. Not every film you make is going to have that sort of enduring appeal. For me, in the limited career, I've had so far, The Guest has had the longest legs. People just this week, for whatever reason, are discovering it and messaging me and saying, 'I can't believe it took me this long to discover this film. It's great.' That's really satisfying."
If you haven't had the chance to check THE GUEST out, add it to your near future viewing because it truly is a treat and it's a film that gets better each time you watch it. Wingard may have gone on to bigger projects like GODZILLA VS. KONG, but THE GUEST may end up being the true masterpiece of his career. It's that good.
Would YOU want to see a sequel to THE GUEST?