The Guest (Netflix) Review: A Soapy Colombian Thriller You Should Stream It or Skip It?
Key Takeaways
- The series 'The Guest' is a Colombian psychological thriller with a 20-episode run that explores themes of revenge, betrayal, and family secrets.
- The storyline revolves around a couple, Silvia and Lorenzo, whose marriage is tested by Lorenzo's infidelity and the arrival of a manipulative woman, Sonia, from Silvia's past.
- The show features dramatic pacing and is criticized for stretching its plot over 20 episodes, which may test the patience of viewers looking for a more concise narrative.
The Guest (original title: La Huesped) is a new Colombian psychological thriller that premiered on Netflix on September 24, 2025. The series plunges viewers into the turbulent life of a couple whose fragile marriage becomes the target of a mysterious and calculating woman from the wife’s past. With a sprawling 20 episodes, the show promises a deep dive into themes of revenge, betrayal, and family secrets, but the question remains: does its lengthy runtime build compelling drama or simply stretch a thin plot to its breaking point? This review breaks down the premise, the episodes, and the overall appeal to help you decide if it’s your next binge .
The Premise: A Family on the Brink
The Guest series opens on a couple in crisis. Silvia (Laura Londoño) and Lorenzo (Jason Day) are attempting to save their marriage after Lorenzo’s infidelity, all while he campaigns for the position of Attorney General. Their lives are further complicated by their daughter, Isabela, who is struggling with a methamphetamine addiction. As if this wasn’t enough turmoil, the suicide of their marriage counselor sets a dark tone for events to come .
Into this volatile situation arrives Sonia (Carmen Villalobos), a woman Silvia met briefly weeks earlier. One stormy night, Sonia shows up at their home, appearing as a friend in need. However, her intentions are far from benign. Sonia’s goal is singular and ruthless: to systematically destroy Lorenzo by tearing the family apart from the inside. She methodically builds emotional and physical bonds with the family, exploiting their existing weaknesses to exact a carefully planned revenge for past wrongs .
Episode Breakdown and Famous Scenes
The 20-episode season unfolds like a classic telenovela, with each installment layering on new secrets and confrontations. The following is a breakdown of the first ten episodes, which highlight key moments in Sonia’s manipulative plot .
Episodes 1-2: The Storm Arrives
The series begins with “The Storm,” where a therapy session prompts Silvia to explore her husband’s desires just as the literal storm brings Sonia to their doorstep. The famous scene here is Sonia’s arrival—rain-soaked and vulnerable, a calculated performance designed to elicit sympathy and secure her entry into the home. In “I Didn’t Come to Bother,” the daughter, Isa, gets involved in a viral challenge that ends in a terrible accident, immediately establishing high stakes and vulnerability that Sonia can exploit. Meanwhile, Sonia’s recall of her meetings with the late Dr. Mahecha begins to hint at her deeper motivations and connection to the family’s turmoil .
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Episodes 3-4: Secrets and Blackmail
In “The Rubber Band,” Lorenzo secretly visits another woman, Natasha, showcasing that his reform is superficial. Simultaneously, Isa and her friend Juanjo panic after receiving an ominous text, amplifying the sense of impending doom. The famous scene in “The Necklace” involves Lorenzo making a dreadful discovery, while Silvia has a hard talk with Sonia, trying to set boundaries she cannot possibly enforce. This episode underscores the theme of hidden truths coming to the surface .
Episodes 5-6: Alliances and Manipulation
“Count on Me” sees a character named Juliana spying on Sonia in a strange moment, suggesting that others are growing suspicious. Isa and Juanjo come clean about their secret, but in exchange for keeping Lorenzo’s infidelity from Silvia, Sonia requests a favor, tightening her grip on the family. “The Pause Button” features a fight between Silvia and Lorenzo that gives Sonia the perfect opportunity to get closer to her goal. The famous scene here is Sonia skillfully manipulating the couple’s conflict to her advantage, positioning herself as a trusted confidante to both .
Episodes 7-8: Desperation and Fantasy
After a night with Sonia, Silvia is left at a crossroads in “The Prisoner,” a key moment that explores the complex and potentially ambiguous relationship between the two women. In “Your Way, My Way,” as Silvia recovers from an attack, Lorenzo suspects someone is behind it. The famous scene is Sonia beginning to play directly into Lorenzo’s fantasies, showing her willingness to use every tool at her disposal to isolate and destroy him .
Episodes 9-10: The Web Tightens
“The Siren” shows Lorenzo and Sonia’s secrets piling up, with Silvia remaining dangerously unaware. A campaign aide suspects Natasha of helping Lorenzo, while Natasha attempts to extort him, creating a web of conflicting interests. In “The Diary,” a character tries to warn Silvia about Lorenzo and Sonia, leading to a cliffhanger where Isa is shocked to learn that a character named Brian is awake. This sets the stage for major revelations in the second half of the season .
Sex and Skin Summary
- Presence of Sex Scenes: None
- Episode Reference: Not applicable
- Additional Notes: There are no explicit or graphic sexual scenes in the series.
Analysis: Strengths and Shortcomings
The Guest is designed for a specific audience, and its strengths are evident in its core appeal.
Soapy, Steamy Drama: The show fully embraces its identity as a dramatic, steamy thriller. It doesn’t aim for subtlety but instead delivers heightened emotions, betrayals, and romantic entanglements that fans of the genre crave. The central performance by Carmen Villalobos as the vengeful Sonia is a key draw, embodying the calculated and mysterious “avenger” archetype effectively .
Pacing and Runtime Issues: The most significant criticism lies in its structure. With 20 episodes each running 40-50 minutes, the plot is widely seen as being stretched too thin. Reviews suggest that the story feels drawn out, potentially testing the patience of viewers who prefer a tighter, more fast-paced narrative. The show does not attempt to be an innovative or intellectually demanding thriller; it is a straightforward dramatic saga that requires a willingness to invest a substantial amount of time .
Character Dynamics: The core dynamic of a manipulative outsider infiltrating a vulnerable family is a proven formula. The show leverages this by focusing on the psychological unraveling of Silvia and the arrogant blindness of Lorenzo, making their downfall at the hands of Sonia the central engaging conflict .
Final Verdict
The Guest is a classic example of a show that knows its audience. If you are a fan of sprawling, soapy, and dramatic thrillers in the telenovela tradition, and you don’t mind a story that takes its time to unfold over 20 episodes, this series will likely be an entertaining watch. The performances are committed, and the plot is packed with the kind of twists, secrets, and revenge scenarios that define the genre.
However, if you prefer concise, tightly-plotted, and innovative television, the lengthy runtime and familiar plot beats will likely feel like a slog. The guest offers steamy drama and revenge but demands a significant time commitment in return .
Stream or Skip?
✅Stream It — but only if you are specifically in the mood for a long-form, dramatic, and unapologetically soapy thriller.
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Loading ...FAQs
Q1: When did The Guest premiere on Netflix?
A: September 24, 2025.
Q2: How many episodes does the series have?
A: 20 episodes, each running 40-50 minutes.
Q3: Is there sexual content in the series?
A: Mild sexual tension in episodes 7-8; no graphic sex or nudity.
The Guest
Our Rating:⭐3/5
Network Netflix
Genres: TV Dramas, Colombian, TV Thrillers
Release Date: September 24, 2025
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 20
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