The Wedding Guest

Name: The Wedding Guest
Genre: Thriller
Released: March 1, 2019
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Dev Patel, Harish Khanna, Jim Sarbh, Meherbaan Singh, Nish Nathwani

2019

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Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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The Wedding Guest

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: March 1, 2019 | NR

Starring: Dev Patel, Harish Khanna, Jim Sarbh, Meherbaan Singh, Nish Nathwani, Radhika Apte, Sidhu Manpreet

Summary: Jay (Dev Patel) is a man with a secret who travels from Britain to Pakistan to attend a wedding—armed with duct tape, a shotgun, and a plan to kidnap the bride-to-be (Radhika Apte). Despite his cool efficiency, the plot quickly spirals out of control, sending Jay and his hostage on the run across the border and through the railway stations,Jay (Dev Patel) is a man with a secret who travels from Britain to Pakistan to attend a wedding—armed with duct tape, a shotgun, and a plan to kidnap the bride-to-be (Radhika Apte). Despite his cool efficiency, the plot quickly spirals out of control, sending Jay and his hostage on the run across the border and through the railway stations, back alleys, and black markets of New Delhi—as all the while attractions simmer, loyalties shift, and explosive secrets are revealed. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Genre(s): Thriller

Rating: NR

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

The Observer (UK) Simran Hans

Jul 26, 2019

Patel excels as a smouldering, enigmatic antihero who gradually begins to drop his defences; Apte might be even better as the duplicitous femme fatale. Read full review

Sara Stewart

Feb 27, 2019

There’s also a broader commentary here on the treatment of women, both in arranged marriage and in testosterone-heavy thrillers. Apte’s character stays largely an enigma throughout, but her palpable frustration with the men and culture around her — plus the chance to vicariously visit Goa, that jewel of an Indian seaside getaway — makes The Wedding Guest worth an RSVP. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Mar 7, 2019

It’s a while before we learn anything, even a name, about the title character in The Wedding Guest. Played by Dev Patel, who delivers an unexpectedly stoic — yet predictably appealing — lead performance, he is a man of deep professionalism and equally deep mystery. Read full review

Pat Brown

Feb 25, 2019

Michael Winterbottom’s film succeeds in translating the problematics of intercultural conflict into thriller fodder. Read full review

Soren Andersen

Mar 13, 2019

The Wedding Guest is a thriller without thrills. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Feb 28, 2019

As a spare and sexy thriller, Michael Winterbottom’s “The Wedding Guest” is far too undercooked; there’s little flavor, and even less to chew on. As an audition for its star to be the next James Bond, however, this aimless Dev Patel vehicle is virtually perfect. Read full review

Rex Reed

Feb 28, 2019

This anemic little so-called thriller is the next best thing to a prescription for 30 mg Dalmane. Read full review

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User Reviews

GreatMartin

Mar 25, 2019

There is something nice about seeing a 'kid' actor grow into a full adult and you just know we will continue hearing from him. Dev Patel was 20 years old when he made "Slum Dog Millionaire" and followed that with the "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and its sequel building up an impressiveThere is something nice about seeing a 'kid' actor grow into a full adult and you just know we will continue hearing from him. Dev Patel was 20 years old when he made "Slum Dog Millionaire" and followed that with the "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and its sequel building up an impressive resume. This week he has opened in two movies those being "The Wedding Guest" and "Hotel Mumbai". I saw the former this afternoon.

The film opens with Dev Patel, as Jay, a throwback to the actors of yesteryear stepping into a Hitchcock movie with an edge. He packs 4 passports, gets to his destination, buys 2 guns, duck tape and kidnaps a woman sleeping in a house filled with people and on the way out kills a security guard.

The woman, Samira, played by Radikha Apte, was getting into a marriage she didn't want and arranged with her lover for this heist. Samira and Jay ride from one city to another in Pakistan and India, from Jaipur to Goa to Delhi, with each place more crowded, more cars, more overbuilding than is complained about in the USA! The scenes showing the country at its worst and most beautiful, the latter near the end of the movie which takes place at the beach, are a major part fo the movie.

After the bride-to-be is kidnapped there are many red herrings concerning diamonds, scooters, money, men, chnaging passports, another killing just to name a few. The major thing is it leads to nowhere with the ending making very little sense.

The director and screenplay writer, Michael Winterbottom, along with his cinematographer, Giles Nuttgens, makes "The Wedding Guest" an interesting film to watch while Dev Patel along with Radhika Apte have the chemistry to make the roles involve the audience no matter where it leads.

"The Wedding Guest" reminded me of one of the old Warner Brothers double bills with this being the B movie. At a fast moving 93 minutes which, in my opinion, lead nowhere, itm has many positives about it with Dev Patel showing he has matured and can handle the tough guy roles!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Mar 17, 2019

This is a weird mix between a non-action action film and a shaggy dog story. Dev Patel stays serious as man who's been hired to kidnap a woman (Radhika Apte). She's about to be married in Pakistan, but their subsequent trip thru several surrounding countries takes them in new directionsThis is a weird mix between a non-action action film and a shaggy dog story. Dev Patel stays serious as man who's been hired to kidnap a woman (Radhika Apte). She's about to be married in Pakistan, but their subsequent trip thru several surrounding countries takes them in new directions (literally and figuratively). The narrative unfolds with lots of mystery, but by the time it ends, there are still questions. Interestingly, this was written/directed by Michael Winterbottom, who wrote all 3 of "The Trip" series where Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon drive thru several beautiful countries and eat. This trip features unspectacular countryside and jammed cities, but none of it is especially attractive. Even though Patel's sullen demeanor lacks depth and the whole thing never pays off, the film is somewhat compelling.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Sep 2, 2019

Dev Patel deserves some recognition for trying to get various diverse roles in his career, since in recent years he has been found in films that although haven't been notorious have shown that he's looking to continue growing as an actor.

If in the end these films deserve your fullyDev Patel deserves some recognition for trying to get various diverse roles in his career, since in recent years he has been found in films that although haven't been notorious have shown that he's looking to continue growing as an actor.

If in the end these films deserve your fully attention, well that ends up being a very different matter and as in this case it's not entirely disappointing but it doesn't turn out to be something remarkable either. It's in the middle.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mauro_Lanari

Oct 1, 2019

(Mauro Lanari)
"Nothing happens...nothing to write because there is nothing in it. There is no wedding and there is no guest."

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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