The Guest House

The Guest House

Year: 2012

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Baumgarten

Romance

A young woman, reeling from a breakup, finds her life unexpectedly changed when she falls for a charming and accomplished college graduate. He's staying at her family’s guest house, and their connection blossoms into an intense romance. As their relationship deepens, she discovers he's not who he seems, and secrets begin to surface, complicating their newfound happiness.

Bittersweet
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

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Timeline & Setting – The Guest House (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Guest House (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Rachel's Home, Guest House, San Francisco

The film centers on a suburban family home and its adjacent guest house, once the mother’s art studio. The setting shifts to urban scenes around San Francisco, including a small nightclub and waterfront areas near the Golden Gate Bridge. The guest house serves as a creative space and a backdrop for the evolving relationship between the two young women.

🏠 Domestic 🌊 Coastal 🌉 Urban

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:45

Main Characters – The Guest House (2012)

Meet the key characters of The Guest House (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rachel (Ruth Reynolds)

An 18-year-old recent high school graduate who lives with her father. She is artistic, plays the piano, and dreams of moving to New York to study music. Her world is shaken by heartbreak, then deepened by a powerful, forbidden connection with Amy.

🎼 Music 💖 Love 🧭 Self-discovery

Amy (Madeline Merritt)

A new guest-house resident who is uneasy with relationships and unclear about what love means. She forms a deep bond with Rachel, revealing vulnerability and a willingness to explore love, only to confront a painful revelation.

💖 Love 🎨 Art 🫢 Secrets

Jason (Jake Parker)

Rachel’s boyfriend who breaks up with her as they graduate and head to college. His departure catalyzes the drama, including Rachel’s emotional journey and the night Amy enters the picture.

💔 Breakup 🎓 College

Rachel's Father

Protective and initially unaware of the depth of Rachel’s relationship with Amy. He returns home to a shocking revelation, which strains family boundaries and accelerates the story’s emotional consequences.

👨‍👧 Family

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:45

Major Themes – The Guest House (2012)

Explore the central themes of The Guest House (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Love

Two young women form a powerful connection, exploring attraction and affection beyond conventional boundaries. The romance intertwines with ambitions for the future—Rachel’s music career in New York and Amy’s uncertain path—highlighting how love can influence choices. Their relationship deepens through intimate moments and the acceptance of love’s complexity. The story uses their bond to explore identity and self-discovery.

💔 Betrayal

The relationship is tested when a family secret is revealed: Amy has slept with Rachel’s father. Rachel’s trust is shattered, leading to heartbreak and a reevaluation of honesty, loyalty, and consequences. The betrayal forces both characters to confront how desire and secrecy reshape their lives and futures.

🎶 Identity

The narrative threads through self-discovery as Rachel navigates her artistic ambitions and evolving relationships. Amy’s vulnerability and her admission about not understanding love push Rachel to define who she is beyond romance. The journey culminates in personal growth and a renewed sense of self in the city’s cultural scene.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:45

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The Guest House Summary

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The Guest House Summary

The Guest House Timeline

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The Guest House Timeline

The Guest House Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Guest House Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Guest House

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The Guest House (2012) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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