The Guest

Oceans and swimming pools represent a reprieve from the chaos and exigency that defines Alex’s life. She is constantly on the hustle to secure her next meal or a place to sleep, but when she goes swimming she only has to think about her body in motion, and her only objective is staying afloat. Bodies of water are also an equalizing space. In the ocean, no one knows who Alex is or whether she fits into the luxe world of the Hamptons; she can finally let her mask slip. In literature, water is often used as a symbol of cleansing, and indeed, swimming always makes Alex feel better—more powerful, more unified with the world around her. In contrast to her frequent dissociative episodes on land, in the water she feels embodied and present.

Alex’s phone is her lifeline, the one thing she truly owns. Her phone gives her access to men who might be able to help her. It’s a tool she can use to research her next move. Her broken phone gives her endless stress, connecting her to Dom’s messages and missed calls. Her phone is therefore also a symbol of all of the problems she’s trying to run away from.