The Guest

Hadi El Bagoury's 2019 Egyptian film takes place almost entirely over one dinner. A young man invited to the house by the daughter finds himself facing Yehia, an academic marked out for his opinions. The meal turns quickly into an argument. Religion, freedom of interpretation and the justification of violence are debated; the narrative gives both sides their case at length and raises the tension slowly. Khaled El Sawy and Ahmed Malek lead. The setting is a single house and the camera circles the table. The film caused sharp argument in Egypt on release and was criticised in some quarters. Who it's for: those who like dialogue-driven thrillers and films about a clash of ideas. Who it's not for: viewers expecting action; the film is almost entirely talk and the close is harsh.