Finn Callan’s 2020 film Guest is fondly remembered as one of YouTube’s most disturbing horror shorts. Between its 12 million views and signature creature design, it’s not hard to see why it’s held in such high regard. Perhaps even more significant was how it leveraged a psychological element to explore the troubled mind of a woman. It’s rare to see indie projects realize a sequel; it’s harder still to find some as good as what Callan and his team have cooked up with Guest 2.
Overburdened by work and responsibilities, Jill (Jennifer English) takes over her brother Ethan’s (Simon Bigg) overcrowded support group, where she begins to unravel the strange goings on. Jill bonds with one member in particular, Mia (Natasha Biggs), and soon discovers the terrifying reason behind the young woman’s distraught state.
Though its premise certainly leaves room for the terrors that fans of Callan’s work have come to expect, Guest 2 is first and foremost a thought-provoking examination of mental health, and an even more effective one than its predecessor. The atmosphere is oppressive, with darkness creeping into every frame courtesy of Fyodor Houtheusen cinematography. Sometimes it can feel like we are witnessing an obscure creepypasta come to life, given how unnervingly distressing the scenery is. Neither the characters nor the viewers are allowed to feel comfortable, and that’s further amplified by the gaunt stare of the Guest itself.
But just how frightening is it? In the modern horror landscape, jumpscares are the norm, but Guest 2 steers clear of this cliched approach and delivers a much more chilling experience. Reminiscent of the naturalistic visuals employed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa in Kairo (Pulse), the film lets its intense scenes linger for uncomfortably long seconds to nail-biting effect.
Guest 2 does everything a sequel should. Creator Finn Callan takes everything that worked in his original work and elevates it into a sobering and profound psychological thriller that doesn’t skimp on the scares.
