Story perspectives

‘The Guest’ Enters Crystal Globe, Shows Troubled Mother

7/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Guest, directed by Mads Mengel, premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and entered the Crystal Globe competition.
Trine Dyrholm plays Vibeke, a semi-estranged mother whose mental illness disrupts her son Karl and daughter-in-law Emilie during a naming ceremony.
David Bauer’s handheld shots deliberately lag behind the actors, creating a disorienting visual rhythm.
Editor Louis Emil Ramm Seeberg uses jagged cuts and an atonal score to increase tension.

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Story summary

The Guest, directed by Mads Mengel, premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and entered the Crystal Globe competition.
Trine Dyrholm plays Vibeke, a semi-estranged mother whose mental illness disrupts her son Karl and daughter-in-law Emilie during a naming ceremony.
David Bauer’s handheld shots deliberately lag behind the actors, creating a disorienting visual rhythm.
Editor Louis Emil Ramm Seeberg uses jagged cuts and an atonal score to increase tension.