Man in the Guest House (2024 Lifetime)
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Cast: Ignacyo Matynia, Kristen Alderson, Allen Williamson
Director: John Murlowski
Writer: Adam Balsam
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
When a young couple finds someone to rent out their converted garage, they’re happy to have an additional source of income. But soon they realize that their lodger may not be the dream tenant that they thought he was. Stars Kristen Alderson, Ignacyo Matynia, Allen Williamson, and Ren Ashton (2023).
Recap/Wine Thoughts.
The movie begins with police rushing to a screen and pulling their guns on a blonde woman screaming, “It wasn’t me!!! I was the one who called you! Someone is DEAD!” (The police look at one another, unconvinced.)
Cut to the same lady, Ashley, enjoying her wedding anniversary meal with her handsome husband, Brandon. He brings home the bacon while Ashley is unemployed and hunting for a job. Ashley suggests renting an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit. An ADU is a secondary housing unit designed to be separate from the primary residence on a property). Brandon isn’t thrilled about the idea. The conversation cools the dinner. Ashley promises that he won’t regret it. (We’ll see!)
Next, we get a cleaning montage where Brandon uses his muscles to carry fake heavy things, and Ashley gets to wear overalls!
They list the place on a website called House N’ Host, and I came across an MBA college student, Dan Hansen. He looks wholesome and wants a long-term rental. He is impressed with the place, thinks it will be perfect for studying, and moves right in! (That was quick!)
Ashley continues interviewing for jobs on Zoom and spends her free time arranging flowers and shopping online. Meanwhile, Brandon works at Forever Fitness while hot girls hit on him.
Dan doesn’t waste time being evil. He steals a package, talks cryptically to someone on the phone, covers a pipe with dirt, and gets personal about Ashley and Brandon’s sex life.
Shelley is Ashley’s boy-crazy friend, who invites herself over for dinner to meet Dan. Dan seems nice enough, but Ashley and Brandon think he is TOO NICE. They all get drunk off wine while Dan runs out to get cilantro. Shelley and Dan hit it off. (But are they right for one another? Dan’s parents had a terrible marriage, and he isn’t interested in getting hitched.)
While getting ready to take a shower, Ashley notices the water isn’t getting hot. Brandon checks the water heater and notices the pilot light is out. Ashley hops in the show and DECLINES his offer to join her?!?!?! (Ashley! Girl!)
Dan pretends to be HR from Ashley’s job and sabotages a potential job. There is also a leak in the house because Dan covered the pipe up with dirt! Brandon heads outside to fix the heater again and is interrupted by Dan chowing down on BBQ chips. He is creepy! (Later, Brandon finds the pipe covered and blames Dan.)
After arguing with BFF Shelley over Dan, Ashley comes home and finds Dan watching TV in the living room. Brandon talks to Dan and tries to set boundaries, but Dan slams the door in his face.
Dan throws a party in the middle of the night at his place. Ashley and Brandon wake up frustrated. Ashley asks him to keep it down and threatens to call the cops. He is unfazed and parties on.
Ashley notices Dan’s mother (OG Lifetime Mom René Ashton) lurking outside the house and even sees her arguing with Dan in his apartment. Ashley and Brandon have had enough and ask Dan to leave. He tells them they can’t evict him because he has lived there for 30 days.
Brandon stops going to work and starts working on the “Dan Hansen” case. He learns that Dan lied about getting his MBA. He also goes to the police, who tell him that they can’t do anything unless Dan does something illegal—speaking of illegal. The couple installs hidden cameras while Dan goes out without his knowledge. Dan finds the camera quickly because Brandon hides it pretty obviously. (Oh, and Dan has his own cameras installed that caught THEM installing cameras.)
Shelly has been “ignoring” calls and messages from Ashley and she begins to worry. Brandon tries Shelley, too, but his number is blocked too. Dan got a hold of Shelley’s phone and blocked their numbers while on a date. Shelley shows up at their house and realizes what Dan did. Brandon tells Shelley to keep dating Dan to keep the lines of communication open. Shelley agrees to be a spy.
Brandon and Ashley have sext time; little do they know, Dan has also installed cameras in their house. Dan sends Ashley an unauthorized sex tape and threatens to release it if they kick him out of his AUD.
Ashley changes the locks, chases down Dan’s lurking mother, and confronts her. The mother invites Ashley to join her for a drink and shares more about her son. Dan didn’t handle the divorce well after his father had an affair.
When Brandon gets home, she shows him the video. It sets Brandon off. He marches over to the ADU and kicks in the door. The house smells terrible because a dead skunk is hidden inside; Dan also changes all the locks before moving out all his stuff.
Thinking they are in the clear, Brandon and Ashley have a MORE sexy time. They are interrupted by Dan’s text messages; he claims that Ashley had an affair with her boss. Ashley admits that it is true; she had an affair, and that is why she left her job. Brandon feels betrayed and drives while crying. (We’ve all been there.)
Ashley blames Shelley for telling Dan about the affair. Shelley claims she is innocent and tries to explain that they are the best couple she knows. Ashley won’t hear it. They go to sleep mad. During the night, Dan grabs Ashley while she sleeps, and he kidnaps her. Shelley tries to stop him and ends up hitting her head on the coffee table.
Dan’s father was Ashley’s boss!?!?! Ashley was the homewrecker who broke up his parent’s marriage. Dan and his mother have been working together to enact a revenge plan.
Through flashback, we see Dan making copies of keys and hiding cameras.
Brandon interrupts, and Dan’s mother can’t understand why Ashley would cheat on him. He tells her that he knows what it means to be betrayed. They bond over being cheated on until suddenly, Dan’s mother instructs him to kill Ashley.
There is a struggle over the knife, and Dan accidentally kills his mother. He cries over her body, and Ashley runs outside to meet the police. (We are at the movie’s beginning.)
Brandon blindfolds Ashley and takes her to the ADU; he has turned it into a gym so they can work out together. (Awww? Thanks, babe! This is what she gets for marrying a hunk.))
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
I loved Ashley and Brandon’s relationship. i felt they they were a real married couple with all it’s ups and downs, but still loving.
Ignacyo Matynia remains the GOAT Lifetime bad boy. It’s surprising to see him in a supporting husband role. (Even if that role was shirtless half the time!)
Hiding cameras in plants really had a moment in this movie.
Overall rating
Number of Kills: 🔪 (1 Knife)
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
🍷🍷🍷🍷 (4 Glasses of Wine)
Should you watch it?
Pour it up! (Give it a shot)
Put a Cork in It (Skip It)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked & @patrickmiguel
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*Photo Credit: © 2024 Lifetime® | A+E Networks®
I think this is the first couple that seemed like a normal couple to me. Like I could hang out with them, unlike most who look like handpicked models. Can this couple get more movies?😅 I love their chemistry and banter. They really seem as if they were married for 10 years.
Can’t wait to read your review
polish hunk ignacyo matynia was the best part of the movie!
I do have a thing for polish men!
Loved it! Realistic couple for a change!!!
This was pretty fun despite the ridiculous plot lol. I just wish the main actress’ hair didn’t look like a bad Lizzy McGuire wig. It was so distracting!
Oh my goodness! Spot on about the Lizzy McGuire hair. I was trying to splace the style. If if it wasn’t for the couple’s chemistry and banter the movie would be meh for me. Need more of them in Lifetime movies
Spot on about the hair! I was trying to place it.
Without the couple’s banter and chemistry, this movie would be meh. But need them together in something else