History Film / TheGuest

* BarBrawl: Not exactly fair one, with [[spoiler: an ex-military SuperSoldier facing four drunk teenagers]].

* AmbiguouslyGay: Luke's intense admiration and hero worship of David, even at one point [[spoiler:showing more loyalty to David than his own sister]], [[LoveMakesYouDumb can be read as romantic]]. This is further implied in a deleted scene where his father asks him if he has a date for the Halloween dance, and he responds that he's not going because he doesn't like any of the girls in his school.

* TheCharmer: David is a charismatic and charming individual, always polite and soft-spoken. [[spoiler: He's also a sociopath capable of turning Anna's reveal about his records being clean and apparently real David being dead into a non-issue and making ''her own parents trust more a complete stranger than their own daughter'' with just few smiles and half-truths]].

* BadassAbnormal: [[spoiler: There are hints David has been physiologically altered or augmented in some fashion due to the program he was place into. He's much stronger than he looks, despite being in good shape, and ''very'' difficult to kill.]]

* TheAlcoholic: Mr. Peterson is a somewhat downplayed version: it's not really drawn attention to, but he's drinking an alcoholic beverage in almost every scene he's in.

* AmbiguouslyGay: Luke Peterson. He seems to really admire and look up to the handsome and charming David and [[LoveMakesYouDumb constantly defends him]] despite suspicions mounting on him, even [[spoiler:flat-out refusing to believe his own sister when she tells him that David killed their parents and has gone on a rampage]]. This is further implied in a deleted scene where his father asks him if he has a date for the Halloween dance and he responds that he's not going because he doesn't like any of the girls in his school. His bullies also constantly call him homophobic slurs, although that could just be them being malicious just for the sake of it. David also uses the idea that Luke is gay to get him out of being expelled for fighting by claiming that he was defending himself against a hate crime, although it's strongly implied that David is just bullshitting this excuse without any real regard for whether or not it's true.

* AndIMustScream: Implied in [[spoiler:Major Carver saying that David has been "programmed" to kill anyone he suspects knows his true identity, and couldn't stop even if he wanted to. Although in this case, he doesn't, as stated below.]]

* ApologeticAttacker: David regrets [[spoiler: killing Mr and Mrs. Peterson, apologizing before murdering them both, since he was supposed to protect them]]. Earlier in the film he also uses ambiguous language to apologize to [[spoiler:Anna for killing Craig and getting Zeke arrested, although he's clearly more concerned that Anna is unhappy than because he feels any empathy for his victims]].
* AssholeVictim: The bullies David beats down have earned their ass kicking by the time it arrives. Later when another bully goes after Luke, despite still nursing his wounds from the earlier bar fight, he gets a punch to the face and then measuring stick broke across it for good measure from Luke. Both instances are immensely satisfying to watch.

* BadassAbnormal: [[spoiler: There are hints David has been altered or augmented in some fashion due to the program he was place into. He's much stronger than he looks, despite being in good shape, and ''very'' difficult to kill.]]

* BullyingADragon: One of Luke's bullies pours a drink on David. He ends up kicking ass without so much as breaking a sweat.

* TheCharmer: David is charismatic and charming individual, always polite and soft-spoken. [[spoiler: He's also a sociopath capable of turning Anna's reveal about his records being clean and apparently real David being dead into a non-issue and making ''her own parents trust more a complete stranger than their own daughter'' with just few smiles and half-truths]].

* DeathByGenreSavviness: The arms dealer. [[spoiler: He was apparently aware about the BallisticDiscount and even his own gun carries only a single bullet to prevent further danger. David still shoots him, with his gun, using the only bullet in it]].

* DrinkBasedCharacterization: {{Invoked}} by David insulting Luke's bullies by ordering "girly" drinks for them. Also played straight by David ordering a GargleBlaster (cinnamon schnapps and tabasco sauce) for himself, which he calmly sips and seems to enjoy, but also subsequently [[CombatPragmatist uses as a weapon in the ensuing]] BarBrawl (that he clearly anticipated) [[AHandfulForAnEye by tossing it to a bully's face]].

* EatingTheEyeCandy: Anna falls prey to this when David leaves the shower in [[ShirtlessScene just a towel]]. She's caught off guard due to believing Luke was using the bathroom. Later, when he shows up at the party, carrying without much effort two kegs and beer and flexing half of his body in the process, all the ladies are looking.

* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Deconstructed, just like numerous other tropes related with [[spoiler: the all-American hero archetype. David ''is'' having good sex. But the film till this point made it more than clear he's dangerous sociopath and the sex itself comes with a twist about how unhinged he is during it]].
* GracefulLoser: [[spoiler: David is not angry at Anna and Luke defeating him, going as far to tell Luke he "did the right thing" and should not feel bad about killing him. Sure, he apparently survives, but it's still a rather gracious way to react to being stabbed in the chest]].

* IdiotBall: Luke, [[spoiler: without provocation, spills his guts about Anna's suspicions because a) David gets him out of expulsion and b) is his "friend." There was also little need to inform him that not only did he know he was not who he claimed but that he'd guessed he bumped off several people]].

* JerkJock: The resident school bullies who torment Luke are all jocks. Which means they are allowed to get drunk in the local bar and generally act like assholes with impunity. Until David shows up that is.

--> '''David (to Luke):''' Oh man, your parents' knives suck. (''expertly whips out butterfly knife.'')

* LampshadeHanging: Major Carver instantly points out how ridiculous the ''Halloween maze'' is and how out of place the entire situation is, making the sequence amusing rather than requiring hefty dose of WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.
* LastNameBasis: As part of the military theme, both David and Major Carver are addressing everyone in a formal way, unless the person in question asks them to stop.
* LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn: Used continuously throughout the film. Most notable example happens when David and Anna return from the party and suddenly start discussing the song which up to this point appeared to be just the soundtrack for the scene.
* MadeOfIron: David doesn't react to pain very much, and when he's shoved at one point in the film, there's a very faint clanking sound. [[spoiler:The end implies that after getting shot and stabbed multiple times, he still has the strength to overpower a firefighter, steal his suit and limp out of the building]].

* MusclesAreMeaningless: [[PlayingWithATrope Played with.]] David has a lean and athletic build, but he's implied to be much stronger than he appears. He's able to easily carry two full kegs.
* NeverGetsDrunk: David. He outdrinks the alcoholic Spencer to no ill effect, and can handle a drink that Luke chokes on and David later uses [[spoiler: as pepper spray on a bully]].

** Craig and his friend selling David guns both get one when David responds to the gun seller saying that he can cut him a deal for all the guns with [[spoiler: "No, I'm going to kill you"]]
** A subdued and drawn-out one from David [[spoiler: when Luke inadvertently reveals David's whole plan]].
* PrecisionFStrike: The very final line in the film

* RasputinianDeath: [[spoiler: David. He's shot three times, stabbed twice, gets into a car crash. Except he's not dead.]]
* RecklessSidekick: Justified. Luke is one to Anna's more reasonable behavior, but [[spoiler: that's because he considers David to be his friend due to all the things he done so far. Also, let's not forget he's 15 and has NoSocialSkills, while Anna is 21 and her life crumbles, rather than improves due to David's actions]].

* SecretSecretKeeper: Inverted. [[spoiler: Luke effortlessly checked all the facts and combined different clues to figure out David's true intentions and plans, and shares all of this information with him "because we're friends."]].

* SlasherSmile: [[spoiler:David. Particularly when he takes the time to toss a pair of grenades into the diner.]]

* TheSociopath: [[spoiler: David clearly exhibits many of the signs of a sociopath: Manipulative tendencies, lack of empathy, an inability to show any real emotion, and he kills people seemingly on impulse. It's later revealed that the latter was "programmed" into his brain.]]
--> '''David:''' Never let anyone pick on you, otherwise you'll carry it with you the rest of your life. And those kids at school, they're bigger than you?
--> '''Luke:''' Yeah?
--> '''David:''' [[spoiler:Then bring a knife to school. If they take it off you and beat you up, you go around their houses at night and burn them down with their families inside. What's the worst they can do?]]
* SoundtrackDissonance: Every time when [[spoiler: David does something wrong or threatening, the soundtrack completely doesn't match the situation. The best example would be him killing Kristen, while "Because I Love You" by Steve B plays in the background]].
* TheStoic: To almost ridiculous point, David doesn't show emotions most of the time. Even during sexual intercourse.
* SuperSoldier: [[spoiler: David is implied to be this (and Caleb as well), having been a part of a medical experiment overseen by KPG.]]

-->'''Spencer:''' What if he has the PTSD or whatever? Some of these guys come back with mental health problems, Laura.

->'''David:''' I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Craig. He seemed like a really cool guy. And Zeke getting arrested, again, I'm very sorry. I know you don't need me here at this stressful time... You know, I'm not helping, which is a shame, because I promised Caleb I would do anything I could to help your family.

->'''Spencer:''' What if he has the PTSD or whatever? Some of these guys come back with mental health problems, Laura.

->'''David:''' Those kids at school, they're bigger than you? Then bring a knife to school. They take it off you and beat you up, [[BlackComedy you go around their houses at night and burn them down with their families inside.]] What's the worst they can do?

-->'''David:''' I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Craig. He seemed like a really cool guy. And Zeke getting arrested, again, I'm very sorry. I know you don't need me here at this stressful time... You know, I'm not helping, which is a shame, because I promised Caleb I would do anything I could to help your family.

-->'''Spencer:''' What if he has the PTSD or whatever? Some of these guys come back with mental health problems, Laura.

--->'''David:''' Those kids at school, they're bigger than you? Then bring a knife to school. They take it off you and beat you up, [[BlackComedy you go around their houses at night and burn them down with their families inside.]] What's the worst they can do?

* BarBrawl: Not exactly fair one, with [[spoiler: an ex-military SuperSoldier facing 4 drunk teenagers]].

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Discussed. When Spencer arrives home visibly shaken and pours himself a [[INeedAFreakingDrink sizable drink]], he informs his wife that he's gotten that promotion. [[spoiler: Due to the fact his new young boss died in an apparent suicide pact with his wife and morbidly retorts "Be careful what you wish for" while he drinks.]]

* AlwaysChaoticEvil[=/=]TooDumbToLive: The jocks. A random stranger offered them a "lady" drink. They decide to blow it out of proportions and throw the drink in his face. They are teenagers. In a seedy bar. Even removing David from the equation, they are still antagonizing unknown person with unknown motives toward them. And then decide to instantly go for punch-out.

''The Guest'' is a 2014 {{Thriller}} film directed by Adam Wingard (''Film/YoureNext'', ''Film/{{VHS}}''). The story consists of the Peterson family who are visited by a mysterious stranger, "David" (Creator/DanStevens), who claims to be a comrade of their deceased son, Caleb. Polite and charming, he makes himself comfortable in the family.

* ApologeticAttacker: "David" regrets [[spoiler: killing Mr and Mrs. Peterson, apologizing before murdering them both, since he was supposed to protect them]]. Earlier in the film he also uses ambiguous language to apologize to [[spoiler:Anna for killing Craig and getting Zeke arrested, although he's clearly more concerned that Anna is unhappy than because he feels any empathy for his victims]].

* RecklessSidekick: Justified. Luke is one to Anna's more reasonable behavior, but [[spoiler: that's because he considers "David" to be his friend due to all the things he done so far. Also, let's not forget he's 15 and has NoSocialSkills, while Anna is 21 and her life crumbles, rather than improves due to David's actions]].

* SecretSecretKeeper: Inverted. [[spoiler: Luke effortlessly checked all the facts and combined different clues to figure out "David" true intentions and plans, sharing the fact with him, as they are "friends". You can literally watch David's smile slowly turning into an angry clenched teeth while he listens to the explanation, realizing how easy it was for a teenager to figure out his identity and tie together multiple murders. Not to mention how due to his conditioning, "David" now has to kill the boy]].

* AmbiguousSituation: [[InvokedTrope Invoked]] by David during his conversation with Anna in her room, as he knows that she suspects him of murdering Craig and framing Zeke and even indirectly admits that he did so, but won't go so far as to step outside of his nice-guy persona to explicitly confirm it. She clearly picks up on all of this, and the situation gets [[KubrickStare less ambiguous]] when she doesn't respond to his apology.
-->'''David:''' I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Craig. He seemed like a really cool guy. And Zeke getting arrested, again, I'm very sorry. I know you don't need me here at this stressful time... you know, I'm not helping, which is a shame, because I promised Caleb I would do anything I could to help your family.

* BigBrotherInstinct[=/=][[ParentalSubstitute Big Brother Substitute]]: Shown by David toward members of the Peterson family, to a really unhealthy degree.

* AmbiguouslyGay: Luke Peterson. He seems to really admire and look up to the handsome and charming David and [[LoveMakesYouDumb constantly defends him]] despite suspicions mounting on him, even [[spoiler:flat-out refusing to believe his own sister when she tells him that David killed their parents and has gone on a rampage]]. This is further implied in a deleted scene where his father asks him if he has a date for the Halloween dance and he responds that he's not going because he doesn't like any of the girls in his school. His bullies also constantly call him homophobic slurs, although that could just be them being malicious just for the sake of it.
** On top of all that, when Luke is once again bullied by the thugs David laid out, the homophobic slurs are used and he finally snaps, cracking a yard stick across the jaw of his bully. He's later facing expulsion until David tells the principal that since Luke is, in fact, gay, he's been the ongoing victim of a hate crime which the school didn't protect him from, and is now expelling him for protecting himself. He suggests the family are ready to sue so the principal backs down and offers a month of detention (and because he's a dolt, it's decorating for the Halloween dance...). It's not clear if David is just lying, or knows/believes Luke to be gay but it could be taken as confirmation he is. Luke isn't present for the conversation and it's not clear if he's made aware what was said.

* DisproportionateRetribution: [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] when David advises Luke to retaliate much more violently against his [[JerkJock bullies]] from school. More broadly, however, this is basically David's entire M.O., as almost every direct action he takes in service of making the Petersons' lives better ends with [[spoiler:(mostly) innocent people getting seriously injured, incarcerated, or killed.]]

* TheDogBitesBack: Before the start of class Luke eventually has had enough from one bully and just straight up punches him in the face. When the bully throws him to the ground and unwisely turns his back on him, declaring "[[SmugSnake That's right, bitches!]]" to the class, Luke grabs a yard stick and breaks it across his smug face.
* DrinkBasedCharacterization: Invoked by David insulting Luke's bullies by ordering "girly" drinks for them (essentially calling them gay) and averted in the same scene by David ordering a GargleBlaster loaded with pepper... [[CombatPragmatist that he uses as a weapon in the ensuing]] BarBrawl [[AHandfulForAnEye by tossing it to a bully's face]]. David do drinks beer in a few scenes, but like everything else about his friendly persona, it's just part of [[MaskOfSanity faking his sanity]].
* DyingSmirk: [[spoiler: After Luke stabs David, David pulls a thumbs up and praises him for doing the right thing before dying. Subverted because he ends up surviving.]]

* EmpathicEnvironment: Parodied, if not mocked. [[spoiler: Luke learns about his parents death while inside a Halloween maze, with recorded sound of storm and thunders in the background playing]].
* TheEndOrIsIt: [[spoiler:A man in a firefighter suit emerges from the burning Rec center with a limp and begins staring at Anna and Luke, clearly implying that David survived somehow. However, the film ends before this can be confirmed.]]
* EvenTheGuysWantHim: David is handsome and well-shaped, but also cool, joking, nice (but not soft) and always helpful when you need a mule to transport those kegs. He quickly gains sympathy of the entire crowd at the party, regardless of gender.

* TheFarmerAndTheViper: [[spoiler: The Petersons pay a hefty price for taking in David for a few days. David kills two of Anna's closest friends, frames her boyfriend for the murder, and eventually even kills Laura and Spencer leaving Anna and Luke orphans. The finale also has aspects of The Scorpion And The Frog, as David's is "programmed" to kill any loose ends despite how it hurts his own desire to protect the Petersons. Carver points out he will kill the Petersons no matter what, not because he wants to, but because he's compelled to do so.]]
* FinalGirl: [[spoiler: Anna and Luke both make it out alive.]]

-->'''Major Carver:''' Military Police, I'm gonna need your vehicle.
* FlatCharacter: The jock bullies have zero characterization apart from just being obnoxious assholes who like to pick on Luke.
* GenreShift: Goes from a mystery-thriller, with a touch of horror, to an action film for the last twenty minutes.

* GoneHorriblyRight: [[spoiler:Major Carver mentions that David fit all of the requirements of the "perfect candidate" of the SuperSoldier project. Turns out he's a little too efficient at being that during his rampage on the town]].
* GoodPaysBetter: Reaches almost the point of being an unintentional Aesop of the story. The amount of things David is capable of achieving by just being nice is just amazing.

** After first meeting him, Spencer asks his wife, "What if [David] has 'the PTSD?'"
* ApologeticAttacker: "David" regrets [[spoiler: killing Mr and Mrs. Peterson, apologizing before murdering them both, since he was supposed to protect them]]. Earlier in the film he also uses ambiguous language to apologize to [[spoiler:Anna for killing Craig and getting Zeke arrested, although he's clearly more concerned that Anna is upset than because he feels any empathy for his victims]].

* TheCharmer: David is charismatic and charming individual, always polite and soft-spoken. [[spoiler: He's also a sociopath capable of turning Anna's reveal about his records being clean and apparently real David being dead into a non-issue and making ''her own parents trust more a complete stranger than their own daughter'' with just few smiles and half-truths]]. And let's not forget how much he achieves throughout the entire film by simply being nice.

* CurbStompBattle: Almost every fight scene with David has him wiping the floor with this opponents without breaking a sweat.

* DisproportionateRetribution:
** Starts out as a DiscussedTrope when David tells Luke to first stab the bullying [[JerkJock Jerk Jocks]];
** ...and later [[spoiler:seems to be David's entire shtick, attempting to kill everyone who might have the slightest inkling of who he is and what he's doing]].

* AffablyEvil: "David" is polite, charming and suave but seems to be a bit off. [[spoiler: Turns out to be totally ''apeshit''. Still retains his politeness.]]

* ApologeticAttacker: "David" regrets [[spoiler: killing Mr and Mrs. Peterson, apologizing before murdering them both, since he was supposed to protect them]].

* GracefulLoser: [[spoiler: David is actually impressed by Anna and Luke defeating him, going as far to tell Luke he did the right thing and should not feel bad about delivering the killer blow. Sure, he apparently survives, but it's still a rather gracious way to react to being stabbed in the chest]].

* PerkyGoth: Judging by her clothes, music choice and her bedroom, Anna can easily qualify as one.

* AmbiguouslyGay: Luke Peterson. He seems to really admire and look up to the handsome and charming David and [[LoveMakesYouDumb constantly defends him]] despite suspicions mounting on him, even [[spoiler:flat-out refusing to believe his own sister when she tells him that David killed their parents and has gone on a rampage]]. This is further implied in a deleted scene where his father asks him if he has a date for the Halloween dance and he responds that he's not going because he doesn't like any of the girls in his school (probably because he doesn't like girls, period). His bullies also constantly call him homophobic slurs, although that could just be them being malicious just for the sake of it.

* AndIMustScream: Implied in [[Major Carver saying that David has been "programmed" to kill anyone he suspects knows his true identity, and couldn't stop even if he wanted to. Although in this case, he doesn't, as stated below.]]

* GoOutWithASmile: [[spoiler: After Luke stabs David, David pulls a thumbs up and praises him for doing the right thing before dying. Subverted because he ends up surviving.]]

* ImprobableWeaponUser: David successfully weaponises his DrinkOrder (albeit arguably chosen for its potential as a weapon).

* TheCharmer: David is charismatic and charming individual, always polite and soft-spoken. [[spoiler: He's also a sociopath capable of turning Anna's reaveal about his records being clean and apparently real David being dead into a non-issue and making ''her own parents trust more a complete stranger than their own daughter'' with just few smiles and half-truths]]. And let's not forget how much he achieves throughout the entire film by simply being nice.