The Guest review: Gabrielle Creevy and Eve Myles are electric, but the payoff falls flat

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Let’s say this right from the off – thrillers are hard.

Indeed, there are various kinds of thrillers, however, the one I’m referring to is the sub-genre that The Guest belongs to. This category typically begins with a multitude of puzzles and enigmas being established right off the bat, which are then gradually resolved throughout the narrative.

The challenges arise due to the importance of maintaining consistent expectations. In other words, once you establish guidelines for your environment (for instance, in a realistic, pragmatic setting), it’s essential that you adhere to those rules.

Simultaneously, it’s crucial to deliver unexpected, mind-boggling, and awe-inspiring turns of events to maintain audience engagement. Keep in mind, every mystery introduced throughout the series must ultimately be resolved by the end, as signaled by the final credits.

The Guest, a fresh four-episode series on BBC One and iPlayer, impresses greatly from the start. The first three installments are skillfully created, featuring intriguing characters, captivating subjects, and suspenseful plot twists that leave you eager for more.

The series disappoints somewhat in its conclusion, as the solutions offered don’t quite meet the expectations set by the intriguing questions posed earlier. (Without delving into spoilers.)

In the show, Gabrielle Creevy portrays Ria, a hardworking, lower-income individual. Unfortunately, her cleaning position is unexpectedly lost due to an inconsiderate client.

Beyond just utilizing her income for personal expenses, she was additionally covering Lee’s expenses – a jobless individual with little drive and seemingly oblivious to Ria’s intensifying frustration towards him due to his unwillingness to seek employment or acknowledge her burgeoning sense of resentment.

Eventually, one day, she’s noticed in a market by Fran, a mysterious and self-assured entrepreneur, who extends to her a cleaning position with significantly higher pay at an unusual workplace.

It quickly emerges that Fran is not merely proposing work for Ria, but rather providing guidance and mentorship to help Ria achieve success, advocating a more self-focused approach outside of established norms.

As the enigmatic circumstances surrounding Fran grow more complex, so does the intensity of the story unfold. Baffling incidents arise, causing the lives of these two women to become increasingly entangled, yet there’s constant doubt about how much they reveal and conceal, and what their true motives might be.

The initial episodes are exceptionally engaging, largely due to their compelling characters. While the intriguing mysteries certainly pull in viewers and there are many to keep us hooked, the heart of the series lies in the intricate portrayal of the two central women.

Ria lacks a clear understanding of aspiring for greater things in life, as she’s unaware of potential paths that may be available to her. Growing up, she was only exposed to closed doors and never encouraged to believe in her potential, until Fran entered her life.

In every scene, Creevy comes across as deeply compassionate, making us strongly support her character, Ria. Her shrewdness adds an extra layer of intrigue, as she subtly adapts her tactics based on Fran’s perception. This unpredictability keeps us on the edge of our seats, as we eagerly follow Ria’s journey. It’s a captivating performance indeed.

As a cinephile, I must say that The Guest’s hidden strength lies in Myles’ portrayal of Fran. Fran, this intricate character, is so captivating that it’s no wonder Ria finds herself drawn to her, thanks to her bold self-assurance. Yet, there are moments when she sends shivers down your spine due to her sudden transitions from warmth and gentleness to sharpness and impudence, leaving you on the edge of your seat.

Myles truly enjoys embodying this role because it allows her to explore numerous facets of a character in a single scene. Moreover, she complements Creevy exceptionally, creating a dynamic screen partnership that keeps viewers engaged throughout.

Credit should be extended not only to the lead actors but also to the talented ensemble players like Emun Elliott and Clive Russell who deliver outstanding performances, along with lesser-known stars such as Bethan Mary-James.

Sion Daniel Young delivers a compelling performance as Ria’s boyfriend, Lee, a character whose portrayal can be tricky. The show skillfully maintains tension among viewers about the degree of empathy they should feel towards him.

On one side, he can be seen as ineffective, extremely aggravating, and skillful at emotional manipulation. From another perspective, despite his flaws, he is generally well-intentioned and has faced difficult circumstances that he struggles to handle as effectively as Ria does due to a lack of mental fortitude.

It’s remarkable how Young skillfully maintains a balance between the contrasting aspects of the character, ensuring they neither become someone we wholeheartedly approve nor utterly disapprove of.

The director, Ashley Way, deserves high praise for the stylish and visually appealing presentation of the show. Transitioning between Ria’s council estate and Fran’s lavish country home, the series boasts a captivating visual aesthetic that not only adds to its grandeur but also deepens the exploration of The Guest’s themes.

Although it doesn’t introduce anything groundbreaking in terms of theme, The Guest falls into a familiar narrative category. Writer Matthew Barry revealed to TopMob that he drew inspiration from ’90s thrillers that depicted a working-class perspective, including films like The Hand that Rocks the Cradle and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Although the ground it covers might not seem particularly groundbreaking, the show maintains its unique identity and authorial flair. Barry excels in a manner typical of outstanding thriller authors by incorporating themes and elements that he personally connects with, within the conventions of the genre.

It’s hard to conceive that someone wouldn’t grasp Barry’s investigative intentions from watching the very first episode of The Guest, as they’re clearly expressed through his conversations with Ria and Fran. Although it might not be subtly done, it mirrors the glaring issue of wealth inequality in the UK.

Subsequently, we move on to another aspect – the suspenseful elements, often associated with thriller genres. However, when a series introduces as many enigmatic components as The Guest does, it can never truly surpass its climaxes – and this is where it falters.

In the final act, it quickly provides a lot of clarification to keep viewers informed, hurriedly delivering explanations and background details in order to offer some form of closure.

The solutions provided aren’t necessarily terrible, but some stretch believability a bit too far, leaving you puzzled about their coherence. However, what seems off-putting is that these explanations often seem to be the most predictable or unoriginal paths the show might have chosen.

The film provides some heartwarming moments that let the main characters really shine, and they handle them beautifully. However, despite the intense anticipation it creates, the ending might leave both me and other viewers feeling somewhat unsatisfied or deflated.

To clarify, watching The Guest is certainly a recommendation, particularly due to the outstanding performances delivered by Creevy and Myles.

It just feels like it bit off a few more mysteries than it could perhaps chew.

On the positive side, it should be noted that this series does offer a conclusion, avoiding the common practice in TV thrillers known as cliffhangers or sequel baiting, which leaves audiences wanting more and uncertain about future revelations.

Viewers might find The Guest an entertaining visit worth making, yet it may not be a film they feel compelled to revisit multiple times.

The Guest premieres on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on Monday 1st September.

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2025-09-01 03:10