Review by Ezknickels

There's nothing more terrifying about some of the GREATEST horror/suspense movies, as the unknown. Based on that idea, This movie was one of the most spectacularly done surprises from NONE OTHER than creator of one of my favorite series, "Mr Robot" Sam Esmail. Starting with the AMAZING all around casting of a uncharacteristically cantankerous turn for Julia Roberts, & equally impressive, offsetting husband played Ethan Hawke. Both star as main protagonists & well to do upper class couple from the city, that rent a luxurious weekend guest house as a means to getaway or "leave the world behind" for a quiet temporary oasis. The opening is largely underplayed by introducing us to Roberts character as the main purveyor of the online acquired guest house, who merely sees ppl as unwanted detractors, hence seeking asylum w their 2 teenage children, in said location. This is when our journey into the fear based odyssey is catalyzed brilliantly by the introduction series of unsettling disturbances. The first & foremost of which is in that of the form of irreparable internet & phone connectivity. The 2nd & more alarming is the even MORE Mysterious ARRIVAL of a father and daughter, whom upon the family's first night show up unannounced & in the middle if the night, claiming to be the home's original owners. These roles are played brilliantly by Marshala Ali, And Myha'la. Needless to say, much of what comes next is a very subtle, yet heavily suspense inducing nosedive into the dissection of the new characters motives, as they are also apparently well dressed upper class ppl, yet their coincidental arrival, AND claims for needing to seek access to their home( amidst a night where no electronic lookups or verifications are accessible ") are somehow ominous & arousing of suspicion. The themes here a socio-political & simple with varying degrees of complexity as we simultaneously learn more about the characters, & what occurs in the world around them. I THINK thats all i can honestly say without involvement of Actual spoilers as this is a real gem of mind bender whose secrets you WANT to uncover as the film goes along. All i can say is its truly a well done slow burn thriller that by the movies end, simply brought chills all around my spine with its core believability as far as WHAT COULD REALLY happen in modern day hitchcock film. Dont disservice yourself by reviews of the petty few who simply ignore the nuances of good filmmaking and character building & complaining about its continuity. They obviously never got the RULE that IF A MOVIE ENDS with you wanting A BIT MORE, That it's usually a good thing. By the films end, however, its already made its full mind blowing impression and sends it message through quite well. Excellent all around casting, & a soundtrack that definitely fuels the all too real nightmare it eventually builds up to. See for yourself, in other words.