Guest of Honour is a 2019 Canadian drama film written and directed by Atom Egoyan. The film stars David Thewlis as Jim and Laysla De Oliveira as Veronica. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2019.
The film follows Jim, a widowed father who works as a food inspector and Veronica, his daughter who is a high school music teacher. Veronica is falsely accused of abusing her position of authority over 17-year-old Clive, a student in her class. As a result, she is sentenced to prison. However, she is convinced that she deserves to be punished for much earlier crimes.
Jim is struggling to cope with his daughter's incarceration and the guilt he feels about his own role in her troubled past. He becomes obsessed with trying to clear Veronica's name, even though she refuses to defend herself. In doing so, he begins to confront his own demons and secrets.
The film explores themes of family, guilt, and redemption. Egoyan's signature style of non-linear storytelling, shifting timelines, and layered characters is present throughout the film. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances and complex relationships while others criticized the slow pace and convoluted plot.