When David (Dan Stevens) knocks at the door of Laura Peterson (Sheila Kelley) and her family, things will never be the same. David says he was a soldier who was with Laura’s son Caleb when he died. He says he was injured and has just recently been discharged. Laura invites him in to meet her family who she says will want to meet him.
As David has nowhere to stay, Laura and her husband Spencer (Leland Orser) say he can stay in Caleb’s old room. Not long after David has settled in that things around town change. Local bullies are given a beating and Spencer’s boss, who was stopping him getting a promotion, is found dead. However there is more to David’s story than he is letting on, and it could have fatal consequences.
The acting from everyone involved is great. Dan Stevens is fantastic as David, and you can see why he is being lined up to play the new Snake Plissken. However there are some moments in the movie that seem a tad unbelievable in terms of how quickly people trust David. Also disappointed in the direction it takes later on in the movie. That being said, it’s a great watch and well worth seeing.
4/5
JM
Reel Ginger Movie Fan 
I’ve been reading through your posts about various films and
I think that, for the most part, you’re right on the money.
Now I don’t mean any disrespect to you or your site.
The problem I have is actors, no matter how talented they
may be are cast more for their far too “youthful, pretty-boy” looks, really, this fellow Dan Stevens looks like he practically just graduated from High School, for pity’s sake!
At least Kurt Russell had enough age on him to be believable as Snake Plissken and he could also make fun of his ‘Action Star’ image by playing to perfection Jack Burton wise-cracking trucker in ‘Big Trouble in Little China’.
It may well be that since I’m pushing sixty that I’ve seen far too many remakes -really bad remakes- with actors, both male and female who were completely wrong for a part and seemingly hired because they were the ‘flavor of the month’; as well as shoddy scripts and hideous directing*. Truthfully, if I have to see another commercial or trailer with that walking ego-trip Matthew Mc-Gag-nney, I -will- put a bullet through my TV! Pretty much the same for Brad Pittless and Leonardo DeCraprio as well,
others I’ve talked with about my less than kind opinions, if they’re old enough there is a perfect example of casting someone who is utterly believable in the role; this was Steve McQueen in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’, he really looked like someone who had experienced a great deal of living and enjoyed most of it. Oddly, when he was offered the part, he thought the character was far out of his range; his being a guy who had pretty much been on his own since he was teenager; Thomas Crown was child of wealth and privilege, who committed these complex robberies just for fun.
Sorry to have dragged on so long, just needed to vent somewhat. My ire is -not- directed at you in the least.
*Truthfully though, if those above items didn’t exist The SyFy Channel wouldn’t have damned thing to show on the weekends!
I hear what you’re saying. One of the main reasons that I started this site was to create discussions between like minded movie fans, so I’m always welcoming people’s views. However it’s worth noting that when Kurt Russell made Escape from New York he was actually 2yrs younger than Dan Stevens is now. So it could work, and after watching The Guest I’m even more convinced he would suit the role. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Well, new Snake Plissken didn’t happen.
The Escape Agenda (2012) Played by Hector De La Rosa
Escape from New Jersey (2010) Played by Hector De La Rosa
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