The Guest House 2017

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.