Year: 2017
Runtime: 96 mins
Language: English
Director: Maria Gargiulo
When a single dad rents the GUEST HOUSE of a wealthy bachelor, he soon discovers his new landlord’s generosity does not come without a price.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Guest House yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Guest House (2017), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In this intimate drama, 18-year-old Rachel returns home after a night out with her boyfriend Jason, only to face the sting of a breakup as they both prepare to transition to college. Her father’s quiet disapproval echoes in the house as he scolds her for coming home so late. Before he leaves on a business trip, he mentions that a new employee at his company will be staying in their guest house for a few days, setting the stage for the story to unfold.
Amy, the new guest, arrives and Rachel takes on the task of showing her around the house and the guest space. The moment is light at first: Rachel plays a short original instrumental on the piano, earning Amy’s praise, and she explains that the guest house used to be her late mother’s art studio. The two young women begin to connect, sharing stories about travel, relationships, and future plans. As the day turns to night, they settle into a more personal conversation over wine. Rachel opens up about her heartbreak over Jason, and Amy confesses a deep uncertainty about love. She admits she has never felt entirely comfortable with men—or with anyone—and she questions what it truly means to be in love.
That night, a quiet vulnerability hangs in the air. Amy steps out toward the main house and inadvertently witnesses Rachel watching a lesbian film, a moment Rachel does not realize has been seen. The scene adds a layer of tenderness and tension, leaving both women with something unspoken between them.
The following day brings a new rhythm to their days. Rachel and Amy venture into the city, documenting parts of their experiences on a video camera and sharing hopes for their futures. They spend time talking about music, dreams, and the possibility of a life less ordinary. On a Ferris wheel by the beach, their conversations become even more intimate. Amy confesses that she finds Rachel attractive and begins to feel like they could be best friends—and perhaps something more. The sense of closeness grows, and that night, they choose to be together in a deeper, romantic way, sharing a night of affection.
Day after day, their bond deepens as they spend time talking, laughing, and exploring. They share another intimate moment, this time in a hot tub, followed by a concert at a small nightclub. The two decide to commemorate their connection with tattoos, a small ritual marking their evolving relationship. Later, Rachel returns to the piano and performs the same song she played at the start, this time with heartfelt lyrics. Amy enters the room, hearing the lyrics and embracing Rachel in a moment of mutual recognition and affection.
The mood shifts dramatically the next morning when Rachel’s father arrives home earlier than expected and discovers Rachel in bed with Amy. The revelation also exposes a troubling truth: her father and Amy had slept together. This revelation devastates Rachel, who feels betrayed and heartbroken, and she chooses to end the relationship with Amy, seeking distance and clarity in the wake of the upheaval.
Months pass, and Rachel resurfaces in a small San Francisco club, performing in front of an audience that includes no immediate family. After her show, Amy is waiting outside, and the two share a kiss, underscoring that their connection hasn’t fully disappeared. They walk along the waterfront near the Golden Gate Bridge, and Amy tells Rachel she loves her. Rachel responds in kind, confirming that love remains between them. They embrace, signifying a thread of hope and reconciliation woven into the story’s emotional landscape.
Through these moments, the film navigates young love, the complexities of trust, and the ways in which relationships can be both fragile and enduring. It presents a candid portrait of two people who discover desire and devotion while grappling with the consequences of honesty, vulnerability, and the choices that shape their futures.
Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:04
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where deep love is discovered, then fractured by betrayal.If you enjoyed the tender romance and heartbreaking betrayal in The Guest House, you'll find similar movies here. These are quiet, character-driven stories about deep connections fractured by secrets, leading to melancholic and bittersweet conclusions.
Narratives in this thread follow a clear arc: a deeply intimate bond is formed between characters, often involving personal discovery. This connection is then shattered by a significant act of betrayal or conflict, forcing characters into a period of heartbreak and reflection before a bittersweet resolution that offers hope without full closure.
Movies are grouped here because they share a specific emotional mix: high romance scores combined with significant sadness. They prioritize quiet, reflective dialogue over action, creating a tender yet melancholic atmosphere where emotional vulnerability is the central driving force.
Thrillers where danger comes from broken trust in close quarters.Find more movies like The Guest House that blend thriller elements with personal drama. These stories focus on emotional manipulation and betrayal in confined, intimate settings like homes or close relationships, creating steady-burn tension.
The narrative pattern involves a character entering a seemingly safe or beneficial domestic arrangement, only to discover that their host or close relation has ulterior motives. The thriller elements unfold through psychological manipulation and the breach of trust, leading to a climactic confrontation that resolves the immediate threat but leaves deep emotional scars.
These movies share a 'medium' intensity and 'steady' pacing, focusing on the psychological tension of interpersonal dynamics rather than overt violence. They explore themes like betrayal and vulnerability within a thriller framework, making the emotional stakes feel intensely personal.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Guest House in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Guest House is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Guest House with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Guest House. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Guest House that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Guest House: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Guest House that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Guest House (2017) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Guest House (2017) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
The Guest House (2017) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like The Guest House – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Guest (2014) Movie Recap & Themes
The Rental (2020) Full Movie Breakdown
House (1986) Film Overview & Timeline
Guests (2019) Detailed Story Recap
Guests in the House (1988) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Unwelcome Guest (1913) Detailed Story Recap
Killer in the Guest House (2020) Film Overview & Timeline
The Guest Room (2021) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Killer in the Guest House (2020) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Guest in the House (1944) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The House in the Woods (1957) Story Summary & Characters
The Ghost and the Guest (1943) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
A Guest Is Coming (1947) Full Summary & Key Details
Paying Guest (1957) Full Summary & Key Details
Uninvited Guest (1999) Complete Plot Breakdown