is the visit movie a true story

Entertainment

Shyamalan's 'The Visit' Is His Creepiest Yet

With M. Night Shyamalan's new movie The Visit , the much-maligned screenwriter/director is hoping to get back into the good graces of critics and audiences alike after a string of almost universally panned movies. Shyamalan burst onto the scene as Hollywood's hottest new director with The Sixth Sense in 1999, which earned several Oscar nominations including Best Picture. He followed that up with the critically praised Unbreakable and Signs , but each of his five movies since then, starting with The Village , have failed to even garner a 50 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Shyamalan is hoping to turn things around with The Visit , a very creepy-looking film about two kids visiting their grandparents and encountering some disturbing behavior. The film uses a handheld camera filming style for many shots, giving a sense of realism, but is The Visit actually based on a true story ?

Nope. Like the bulk of the director's other films, the plot for The Visit emerged from Shyamalan's own brain. Now 45, the filmmaker decided to make elderly people the film's antagonists because he equates fear of the elderly with fear of death, something that becomes more prevalent as people get older. But once you get past the film's storyline coming from Shyamalan's imagination, The Visit shares very little in common with the director's other movies. Here's what sets it apart.

It's A Real Horror Film

Although some of Shyamalan's movies like, The Sixth Sense and Signs, offer some scares, they're both considered more thriller films than straight-up horror. But not The Visit . The movie is said to be Shyamalan's first true scary movie , with the director himself telling Bloody Disgusting, "I never really considered my previous films as scary though… but The Visit ? Yeah! This is the one. The intention of the film is to thrill and scare." Sounds... scary.

He Produced It Himself

As opposed to the big budget studio movies he's been churning out for years (his last film, After Earth , had a budget of $130 million), Shyamalan used his own production company to make The Visit for just $5 million ... of his own money. Take that, Hollywood fat cats!

It's Linked To Paranormal Activity

Helping solidify this film's standing as a true horror movie is the fact that Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions teamed up with Shyamalan to help sell the low budget scary feel of the film. Blum has had his hand behind the recent deluge of dirt cheap scary movies like the Paranormal Activity series , The Purge series, and the Insidious movies, so if those films are any indication, The Visit is going to be a massive success.

It Utilizes Characters Filming

Just don't call it found footage. Although The Visit looks an awful lot like a found footage movie, which Shyamalan has stayed away from and doesn't care for, The Visit is actually shot "documentary style" , according to Shyamalan. He told Games Radar that the difference is that documentary style has cinematic intent, while found footage does not. Either way, the bulk of the movie is seen through the main characters' point of view, and that's a tactic the director has not used before.

He's Not In It

Shyamalan has had a cameo in virtually all of his films, sometimes even playing a larger role like in Signs . But in The Visit , he's nowhere to be found. Shyamalan says the reason he's absent is because the only characters seen for most of the film are this single family, and that if he all of a sudden showed up, it would be too jarring for the viewer. It could have made for a good twist, though.

It's A Comedy?

Despite being his scariest film ever, The Visit is also Shyamalan's funniest , with one of the film's stars being the super funny Kathryn Hahn . The movie's mix of horror and comedy truly separates it from his other serious (some say over-serious) works. In other words, it ain't The Happening .

With all of the differences from his previous work, The Visit could signal a new chapter in Shyamalan's career. Perhaps the director will return to the critical darling status he once enjoyed, or maybe he'll flounder once again. Whatever happens, at least the guy is taking a risk and trying something new. I hope it works out.

Images: Giphy (6)

The Ending Of The Visit Explained

Contains spoilers for  The Visit

M. Night Shyamalan is notorious for using dramatic twists towards the endings of his films, some of which are pulled off perfectly and add an extra layer of depth to a sprawling story (hello, Split ). Some of the director's other offerings simply keep the audience on their toes rather than having any extra subtext or hidden meaning. Shyamalan's 2015 found-footage horror-comedy  The Visit , which he wrote and directed, definitely fits in the latter category, aiming for style over substance.

The Visit follows 15-year-old Becca Jamison (Olivia DeJonge) and her 13-year-old brother Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) when they spend the week with their mother's estranged parents, who live in another town. Loretta (played by WandaVision 's Kathryn Hahn ) never explained to her children why she separated herself away from her parents, but clearly hopes the weekend could help bring the family back together.

Although The Visit occasionally toys with themes of abandonment and fear of the unknown, it wasn't particularly well-received by critics on its initial release, as many struggled with its bizarre comedic tone in the found-footage style. So, after Tyler and his camera record a number of disturbing occurrences like Nana (Deanna Dunagan) projectile-vomiting in the middle of the night and discovering "Pop Pop"'s (Peter McRobbie) mountain of used diapers, it soon becomes clear that something isn't right with the grandparents.

Here's the ending of  The Visit  explained.

The Visit's twist plays on expectations

Because Shyamalan sets up the idea of the separation between Loretta and her parents very early on — and doesn't show their faces before Becca and Tyler meet them — the film automatically creates a false sense of security. Even more so since the found-footage style restricts the use of typical exposition methods like flashbacks or other scenes which would indicate that Nana and Pop Pop aren't who they say they are. Audiences have no reason to expect that they're actually two escapees from a local psychiatric facility.

The pieces all come together once Becca discovers her  real grandparents' corpses in the basement, along with some uniforms from the psychiatric hospital. It confirms "Nana" and "Pop-Pop" escaped from the institution and murdered the Jamisons because they were a similar age, making it easy to hide their whereabouts from the authorities. And they would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those meddling kids.)

However, after a video call from Loretta reveals that the pair aren't her parents, the children are forced to keep up appearances — but the unhinged duo start to taunt the siblings. Tyler in particular is forced to face his fear of germs as "Pop Pop" wipes dirty diapers in his face. The germophobia is something Shyamalan threads through Tyler's character throughout The Visit,  and the encounter with "Pop Pop" is a basic attempt of showing he's gone through some kind of trial-by-fire to get over his fears.

But the Jamison kids don't take things lying down: They fight back in vicious fashion — a subversion of yet another expectation that young teens might would wait for adults or law enforcement officers to arrive before doing away with their tormentors.

Its real message is about reconciliation

By the time Becca stabs "Nana" to death and Tyler has repeatedly slammed "Pop-Pop"'s head with the refrigerator door, their mother and the police do arrive to pick up the pieces. In a last-ditch attempt at adding an emotional undertone, Shyamalan reveals Loretta left home after a huge argument with her parents. She hit her mother, and her father hit her in return. But Loretta explains that reconciliation was always on the table if she had stopped being so stubborn and just reached out. One could take a domino-effect perspective and even say that Loretta's stubbornness about not reconnecting and her sustained distance from her parents put them in exactly the vulnerable position they needed to be for "Nana" and "Pop-Pop" to murder them. 

Loretta's confession actually mirrors something "Pop-Pop" told Tyler (before his run-in with the refrigerator door): that he and "Nana" wanted to spend one week as a normal family before dying. They should've thought about that before murdering a pair of innocent grandparents, but here we are. 

So, is The Visit  trying to say that if we don't keep our families together, they'll be replaced by imposters and terrify our children? Well, probably not. The Visit tries to deliver a message about breaking away from old habits, working through your fears, and stop being so stubborn over arguments that don't have any consequences in the long-run. Whether it actually sticks the landing on all of those points is still up for debate.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Two siblings become increasingly frightened by their grandparents' disturbing behavior while visiting them on vacation. Two siblings become increasingly frightened by their grandparents' disturbing behavior while visiting them on vacation. Two siblings become increasingly frightened by their grandparents' disturbing behavior while visiting them on vacation.

• M. Night Shyamalan
• Olivia DeJonge
• Ed Oxenbould
• Deanna Dunagan
• 798 User reviews
• 438 Critic reviews
• 55 Metascore
• 1 win & 14 nominations

Top cast 29

• Man on the Street

• Young Becca

• Young Tyler

• Train Passenger
• (uncredited)

• Street Walker
• Police Officer
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia M. Night Shyamalan 's lowest budgeted studio feature film.
• Goofs The amount of snow covering the landscape varies dramatically from day to day and even between scenes taking place on the same day.

Grandma : Would you mind getting inside the oven to clean it?

• Alternate versions In the FX broadcast, to keep the TV-14 rating, the defecation featured in the movie are censored. In addition, two scenes involving nudity is blurred out.
• Connections Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Andy Samberg/Kevin Love/M. Night Shyamalan/Abe Laboriel Jr. (2015)
• Soundtracks Possession Written by Harry Revel Performed by Les Baxter and His Orchestra and Chorus [Theremin - Dr. Samuel Hoffman ] Courtesy of RCA Records By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User reviews 798

• CinemaClown
• Dec 19, 2015
• September 11, 2015 (United States)
• United States
• Los huéspedes
• 3049 Merlin Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, USA (Exterior House)
• Blinding Edge Pictures
• Blumhouse Productions
• Neighborhood Film Co.
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $5,000,000 (estimated)
• $65,206,105
• $25,427,560
• Sep 13, 2015
• $98,450,062

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 34 minutes
• Dolby Digital

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

M. Night Shyamalan had his heyday almost 20 years ago. He leapt out of the gate with such confidence he became a champion instantly. And then…something went awry. He became embarrassingly self-serious, his films drowning in pretension and strained allegories. His famous twists felt like a director attempting to re-create the triumph of “ The Sixth Sense ,” where the twist of the film was so successfully withheld from audiences that people went back to see the film again and again. But now, here comes “ The Visit ,” a film so purely entertaining that you almost forget how scary it is. With all its terror, “The Visit” is an extremely funny film. 

There are too many horror cliches to even list (“gotcha” scares, dark basements, frightened children, mysterious sounds at night, no cellphone reception), but the main cliche is that it is a “found footage” film, a style already wrung dry. But Shyamalan injects adrenaline into it, as well as a frank admission that, yes, it is a cliche, and yes, it is absurd that one would keep filming in moments of such terror, but he uses the main strength of found footage: we are trapped by the perspective of the person holding the camera. Withhold visual information, lull the audience into safety, then turn the camera, and OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT? 

“The Visit” starts quietly, with Mom ( Kathryn Hahn ) talking to the camera about running away from home when she was 19: her parents disapproved of her boyfriend. She had two kids with this man who recently left them all for someone new. Mom has a brave demeanor, and funny, too, referring to her kids as “brats” but with mama-bear affection. Her parents cut ties with her, but now they have reached out  from their snowy isolated farm and want to know their grandchildren. Mom packs the two kids off on a train for a visit.

Shyamalan breaks up the found footage with still shots of snowy ranks of trees, blazing sunsets, sunrise falling on a stack of logs. There are gigantic blood-red chapter markers: “TUESDAY MORNING”, etc. These choices launch us into the overblown operatic horror style while commenting on it at the same time. It ratchets up the dread.

Becca ( Olivia DeJonge ) and Tyler ( Ed Oxenbould ) want to make a film about their mother’s lost childhood home, a place they know well from all of her stories. Becca has done her homework about film-making, and instructs her younger brother about “frames” and “mise-en-scène.” Tyler, an appealing gregarious kid, keeps stealing the camera to film the inside of his mouth and his improvised raps. Becca sternly reminds him to focus. 

The kids are happy to meet their grandparents. They are worried about the effect their grandparents’ rejection had on their mother (similar to Cole’s worry about his mother’s unfinished business with her own parent in “The Sixth Sense”). Becca uses a fairy-tale word to explain what she wants their film to do — it will be an “elixir” to bring home to Mom. 

Nana ( Deanna Dunagan ), at first glance, is a Grandma out of a storybook, with a grey bun, an apron, and muffins coming out of the oven every hour. Pop Pop ( Peter McRobbie ) is a taciturn farmer who reminds the kids constantly that he and Nana are “old.” 

But almost immediately, things get crazy. What is Pop Pop doing out in the barn all the time? Why does Nana ask Becca to clean the oven, insisting that she crawl all the way in ? What are those weird sounds at night from outside their bedroom door? They have a couple of Skype calls with Mom, and she reassures them their grandparents are “weird” but they’re also old, and old people are sometimes cranky, sometimes paranoid. 

As the weirdness intensifies, Becca and Tyler’s film evolves from an origin-story documentary to a mystery-solving investigation. They sneak the camera into the barn, underneath the house, they place it on a cabinet in the living room overnight, hoping to get a glimpse of what happens downstairs after they go to bed. What they see is more than they (and we) bargained for.

Dunagan and McRobbie play their roles with a melodramatic relish, entering into the fairy-tale world of the film. And the kids are great, funny and distinct. Tyler informs his sister that he wants to stop swearing so much, and instead will say the names of female pop singers. The joke is one that never gets old. He falls, and screams, “Sarah McLachlan!” When terrified, he whispers to himself, “ Katy Perry … ” Tyler, filming his sister, asks her why she never looks in the mirror. “Your sweater is on backwards.” As he grills her, he zooms in on her, keeping her face off-center, blurry grey-trunked trees filling most of the screen. The blur is the mystery around them. Cinematographer Maryse Alberti creates the illusion that the film is being made by kids, but also avoids the nauseating hand-held stuff that dogs the found-footage style.

When the twist comes, and you knew it was coming because Shyamalan is the director, it legitimately shocks. Maybe not as much as “The Sixth Sense” twist, but it is damn close. (The audience I saw it with gasped and some people screamed in terror.) There are references to “ Halloween “, “Psycho” (Nana in a rocking chair seen from behind), and, of course, “ Paranormal Activity “; the kids have seen a lot of movies, understand the tropes and try to recreate them themselves. 

“The Visit” represents Shyamalan cutting loose, lightening up, reveling in the improvisational behavior of the kids, their jokes, their bickering, their closeness. Horror is very close to comedy. Screams of terror often dissolve into hysterical laughter, and he uses that emotional dovetail, its tension and catharsis, in almost every scene. The film is ridiculous  on so many levels, the story playing out like the most monstrous version of Hansel & Gretel imaginable, and in that context, “ridiculous” is the highest possible praise.

Sheila O'Malley

Sheila O’Malley received a BFA in Theatre from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s in Acting from the Actors Studio MFA Program. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

• Deanna Dunagan as Nana
• Olivia DeJonge as Rebecca Jamison
• Ed Oxenbould as Tyler Jamison
• Kathryn Hahn as Mother
• Peter McRobbie as Pop-Pop
• Benjamin Kanes as Dad
• Luke Franco Ciarrocch
• M. Night Shyamalan

Cinematography

• Maryse Alberti

Leave a comment

Now playing.

Transformers One

American Crime Story: Aaron Hernandez

Speak No Evil (2024)

Saturday Night

The Killer’s Game

Girls Will Be Girls

The 4:30 Movie

Sweetheart Deal

Latest articles.

TIFF 2024: Table of Contents

TIFF 2024: Village Keeper, 40 Acres, Flow

TIFF 2024: The Shadow Strays, Friendship, The Shrouds

TIFF 2024: Babygirl, All We Imagine as Light, Queer

The best movie reviews, in your inbox.

Movie Facts

37 Facts About Into The Wild Bus

35 Facts About Textless Movie Posters

35 Facts About Dark Disney Stories

50 Facts About The Movie Civil War 2024

40 Facts About The Movie Uglies

50 Facts About The Movie The Amazing SpiderMan

50 Facts About The Movie Deadpool Wolverine

50 Facts About Friday The 13th

50 Facts About The Movie Happy Gilmore

35 Facts About Historical Movies

50 Facts About Inside Out 2

50 Facts About The Movie Conan The Barbarian

50 Facts About The Movie SpiderMan Beyond The SpiderVerse

40 Facts About The Movie The Goonies 2

30 Facts About The Movie We Live In Time

35 Facts About The Conjuring 3

Trending facts.

16 Jan 2020

06 Feb 2020

31 Jan 2020

07 Feb 2020

04 Feb 2020

17 Jan 2020

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening This Week
• Top Box Office
• Coming Soon to Theaters
• Certified Fresh Movies

Movies at Home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 82% Speak No Evil Link to Speak No Evil
• 77% Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Link to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• 96% Rebel Ridge Link to Rebel Ridge

New TV Tonight

• 89% The Penguin: Season 1
• 88% High Potential: Season 1
• 40% Frasier: Season 2
• 17% Emmys: Season 76
• 82% American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez: Season 1
• -- Agatha All Along: Season 1
• -- Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story: Season 2
• -- Twilight of the Gods: Season 1
• -- Tulsa King: Season 2
• -- A Very Royal Scandal: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• 63% The Perfect Couple: Season 1
• 99% Shōgun: Season 1
• 98% Hacks: Season 3
• 74% Kaos: Season 1
• 67% The Old Man: Season 2
• 85% The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 2
• 100% Slow Horses: Season 4
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV

Certified fresh pick

• 95% Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist: Season 1 Link to Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

47 Best Italian Horror Movies of All Time

30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

The Fight Night Cast on Trolling Each Other on Set

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

• Trending on RT
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• Spanish-Language Movies
• Re-Release Calendar

Where to Watch

Watch The Visit with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

The Visit provides horror fans with a satisfying blend of thrills and laughs -- and also signals a welcome return to form for writer-director M. Night Shyamalan.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

M. Night Shyamalan

Olivia DeJonge

Ed Oxenbould

Deanna Dunagan

Peter McRobbie

Kathryn Hahn

Movie Clips

More like this, related movie news.

Home » Movies » Movie Reviews

The Visit (2015) Review

We review the 2015 movie The Visit, which does not contain any significant spoilers. 

M. Night Shyamalan is back – and he really snuck this one in under the radar. The Visit adopts the found footage form of storytelling – a change from Shyamalan’s usual style, though bearing obvious marks of his directorial and writing styles throughout nonetheless – and introduces this horror – akin to the likes of  The Blair Witch Project and  Paranormal Activity – with a simple premise: a young brother and sister visit their somewhat estranged grandparents as a holiday away, while their parents go on a cruise or something more enjoyable.

The Visit Review and Plot Summary

Before meeting their grandparents for the first time in their lives, Becca, aged 15, and Tyler, 13, are told by their divorced mother, Loretta, that she has not spoken to them for 15 years due to their strong disapproval of her marriage with her high school teacher. Becca and Tyler decide to take a camcorder along with them to make a documentary of their visit. Always a fun idea.

At first, the grandparents generally seem like any other adorable old couple, aside from some suspiciously strange requests – they’re adamantly told they must be in bed by 21:30, and that they also mustn’t go into the basement due to some toxic mould. And, of course, with 21:30 being the prime time at which hunger strikes (this isn’t sarcasm), Becca heads to the kitchen for a snack at which point she is rudely interrupted by the witnessing of her grandma projectile vomiting.

Grandpa – or Pop Pop – tells the kids that grandma – referred to as Nana – merely has a case of the flu, before reminding them of the house rules. The days progress and the kids pick up on instances of noticeably bizarre behaviour being exhibited by their grandparents, including Tyler entering Pop’s shed and happening upon a big pile of shit (akin to  The Happening , coincidentally). Becca decides to question Nana about Loretta leaving home to which Nana being screaming and shaking.

The cute couple are later confronted by a woman they met through some prior counselling sessions. The three of them are seen going into the backyard by the kids, though they never see the woman leaving. Some clues lead the kids to believe their grandparents killed the woman by hanging, at which point they decide to film their grandparents’ goings-on post-curfew, by recording them with the camera.

They decide to film the grandparents, and Nana discovers the camera. Nana grabs a kitchen knife and heads for Becca and Tyler’s shared bedroom, before trying to unsuccessfully break her way in. Reviewing the footage, the kids see the knife and call Loretta explaining the situation and demanding they be picked up. And here’s where the classic Shyamalan twist comes in – upon being shown images of their grandparents, Loretta, horrified, reveals that the people in said images aren’t her parents.

Suitably shitting themselves, Becca and Tyler try to escape but are forcefully kept in by the increasingly creepy grandparents who they now know to be complete strangers. Becca sneaks into the basement and finds her real grandparents, both dead, with their work uniforms from their jobs at a mental hospital, thus revealing the strangers are escaped patients who broke into the house, murdered their grandparents and assumed their identities ( I mean, seriously – identity theft is not a joke, guys ).

Despite it already being a pretty messed up situation, it soon turns into a shit-uation, when Pop tries to physically and mentally torment Tyler by rubbing a diaper full of shit in his face, after having locked Becca in a room with Nana who spends the duration trying to eat Becca. Tyler decides he’s put up with enough shit and, in a fit of pure rage, kills Pops with the help of the refrigerator door. Becca and Tyler escape, and are greeted by Loretta and the police. The film finishes with a heartfelt family-oriented moral, in which Loretta tells Becca not to hold onto her anger surrounding her father’s abandonment of them.

Is the movie The Visit good?

Despite the found footage style of filming being one of my least favourite in the genre of horror (which I’m already a fairly avid hater of), the film just works; it delves straight into the story, and presents us with two admirable characters with situations we can all relate to – having to spend unwanted time with extended families.

Tyler in particular, however, is a highlight of the film. Ed Oxenbould does a wonderful job of maintaining a genuinely comical and endearing aspect to his character alongside the effectively established mysterious and eerie atmosphere created once the film kicks in. With a range of running gags throughout the film – including replacing curse words during unfortunate events with the names of famous female pop stars, and some genuinely good rapping skills – the film provides a uniquely enjoyable form of side comedy combined with a primary dose of peril.

If there’s anything to complain about in regards to this film, it’s the usual inaccurate trope of people with mental illnesses being dangerous and ridiculous – something we all know Shyamalan has done on more than one occasion, though it’s a problem in the film industry and media in general.

Despite the clearly present issue surrounding mental health in films,  The Visit is a film I thoroughly enjoyed. Many claimed this to be Shyamalan’s comeback after the abomination that was  After Earth – and I’d agree. Shyamalan manages to use a form of presentation in a horror film which has been equipped time and time again, yet manages to keep it fresh, full of suspense and, of course, inclusive of a healthy dose of twists to ensure it all pays off. And it does.

What did you think of the 2015 movie The Visit? Comment below.

More Stories

• Knock at the Cabin Review
• Glass (2019) Review
• Split (2016) Review

Article by Jonathon Wilson

Jonathon is one of the co-founders of Ready Steady Cut and has been an instrumental part of the team since its inception in 2017. Jonathon has remained involved in all aspects of the site’s operation, mainly dedicated to its content output, remaining one of its primary Entertainment writers while also functioning as our dedicated Commissioning Editor, publishing over 6,500 articles.

Shantaram season 1, episode 4 recap - what happened in “Bad Medicine”?

Truth Be Told Season 3 Episode 4 Recap - who was Eva's sex trafficker?

This website cannot be displayed as your browser is extremely out of date.

Please update your browser to one of the following: Chrome , Firefox , Edge

• Trending on RT

Critics Consensus

The visit is worth the trip, plus, the perfect guy and 90 minutes in heaven weren't screened for critics, and the late show with stephen colbert is certified fresh..

This week at the movies, we’ve got creepy grandparents ( The Visit , starring Kathryn Hahn  and Ed Oxenbould ), a dangerous charmer ( The Perfect Guy , starring Sanaa Lathan  and Michael Ealy ), and a miraculous resurgence ( 90 Minutes in Heaven , starring Hayden Christensen  and Kate Bosworth ). What do the critics have to say?

The Visit (2015) 68%

Since the runaway success of The Sixth Sense , director M. Night Shyamalan ‘s career has certainly had its share of ups and (mostly) downs. However, critics say The Visit is a solid return to form, an oddball horror/comedy that doesn’t always work but surprises and shocks more often than not. It’s the story of two siblings who are invited to spend some time at their grandparents’ remote farmhouse, which our teenage heroes quickly discover is a bastion of eccentric, unnerving behavior. The pundits say The Visit is uneven, but its loose-limbed blend of laughs and scares results in Shyamalan’s most purely enjoyable big screen effort in years.

The Perfect Guy (2015) 18%

The Perfect Guy wasn’t screened for critics, so we currently have no way of knowing whether this latest take on the Fatal Attraction template achieves perfection. Sanaa Lathan stars as a lovelorn woman who meets a handsome stranger (Michael Ealy) who seems too good to be true, but a series of bizarre incidents leaves our heroine wondering who she can trust. Guess the Tomatometer!

90 Minutes in Heaven (2015) 26%

A faith-based drama boasting a strong cast, 90 Minutes in Heaven was barely screened for critics prior to its release in theaters. Hayden Christensen stars as a minister who is involved in a devastating auto accident; pronounced dead at the scene, he reawakens with a miraculous tale of a visit to the hereafter. Once again, feel free to guess the Tomatometer!

What’s Hot on TV

The late show with stephen colbert: season 1 (2015) 91%.

Smart, energetic, and a little bit silly, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert succeeds largely due to the charisma of its host, whose confident debut promises a bright future for the revamped show.

You're the Worst: Season 2 (2015) 97%

Expertly balancing character growth against edgy humor ,  You’re the Worst  elevates the show’s excellent writing and talented cast to a new level.

Hand of God: Season 1 (2014) 30%

Hand of God boasts a talented cast and intriguing premise, but neither are enough to overcome a resounding lack of meaningful drama or impactful thrills.

Also Opening This Week In Limited Release

• Welcome to Leith (2015) , a documentary about a small town’s resistance to an attempted takeover by white supremacists, is at 95 percent.
• X Plus Y (2014) , starring Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins in a drama about an autistic numbers wiz who’s chose to represent his country in the International Mathematics Olympiad, is at 93 percent.
• How to Change the World (2015) , a documentary about the environmental activists that founded Greenpeace, is at 91 percent.
• Coming Home (2014) , starring Gong Li in a drama about a husband and wife who are separated when Chinese authorities accuse the man of subversive activities, is at 90 percent.
• Breathe (2014) , a psychological thriller about a teenager who falls under the spell of a rebellious new student, is at 89 percent.
• Meet the Patels (2014) , a documentary in which actor Ravi Patel deals with his family’s persistent attempts to find him a spouse, is at 85 percent.
• Goodnight Mommy (2014) , a horror film about twin boys who suspect that the woman who returned to their house after facial surgery isn’t really their mother, is at 84 percent.
• Wolf Totem (2015) , a drama about a student who adopts a wolf cub while living in rural Mongolia, is at 72 percent.
• Time Out of Mind (2014) , starring Richard Gere  and Jena Malone  in a drama about a day in the life of a homeless man in Manhattan, is at 70 percent.
• Sleeping With Other People (2015) , starring Jason Sudeikis  and Alison Brie  in a comedy about two philanderers who find solace in each other, is at 53 percent.
• Listening (2014) , a sci-fi thriller about a grad student who invents a machine that reads minds, is at 33 percent.

Related News

All M. Night Shyamalan Movies Ranked

2023 Emmy Nominations: Full List of Nominees

Ahsoka Finale: Ezra Found, Thrawn’s Scheme, and What’s Next

More Critics Consensus

Eternals Is Underpowered

Venom: Let There Be Carnage Leans Hard Into the Ridiculous

Dear Evan Hansen Misses the High Note

Movie & TV News

Featured on rt.

The Fight Night Cast on Trolling Each Other on Set

September 17, 2024

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

47 Best Italian Horror Movies of All Time

Weekend Box Office: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Holds on to Top Spot

September 16, 2024

Top Headlines

• 47 Best Italian Horror Movies of All Time –
• 30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming –
• 25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming –
• 50 Best New Action Movies of 2024 –
• Toronto Film Festival 2024: Movie Scorecard –
• Netflix’s 100 Best Movies Right Now (September 2024) –

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

How to Help Kids Build Character Strengths with Quality Media

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 20 Reviews
• Kids Say 83 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Shyamalan's found-footage spooker has teens in peril.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Visit is a found-footage horror movie from director M. Night Shyamalan. There are plenty of spooky images, sounds, and dialogue, as well as jump scares and a small amount of blood and gore. Viewers see dead bodies (including one killed in a rather shocking way), and two teens, 13…

Why Age 13+?

Dead bodies, one hanged. Elderly man killed in a shocking way. Some blood. Spook

"F--k" is used once. Other words include "s--t," "ass,&

Minor innuendo involving 13-year-old boy who imagines himself a ladykiller. Nana

Skype is used as part of the plot. Sony laptop shown. A Yahtzee! game, with refe

Adults occasionally smoke cigarettes. A boy mimes "pot smoking" with h

Any Positive Content?

Teens learn to overcome past fears to deal with current situations. They sometim

The main characters are teens (13 and 15) who try their best to survive a bad si

Violence & Scariness

Dead bodies, one hanged. Elderly man killed in a shocking way. Some blood. Spooky images, spooky dialogue, and jump scares. Stabbing with a mirror shard. Teens in jeopardy. Vomiting and poop. A man briefly assaults another man. Rifle briefly shown.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

"F--k" is used once. Other words include "s--t," "ass," "ho," "bitch," "goddamn," "hell," "douche," and possibly "a--hole." Middle finger gesture.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Minor innuendo involving 13-year-old boy who imagines himself a ladykiller. Nana's naked bottom is shown twice.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Skype is used as part of the plot. Sony laptop shown. A Yahtzee! game, with references to toy companies Hasbro and Milton Bradley.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Adults occasionally smoke cigarettes. A boy mimes "pot smoking" with his fingers.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Teens learn to overcome past fears to deal with current situations. They sometimes work together but at other times are forced to split up.

Positive Role Models

The main characters are teens (13 and 15) who try their best to survive a bad situation; they're brave, but their situation isn't one anyone would emulate. The adults in the story aren't particularly admirable.

Parents need to know that The Visit is a found-footage horror movie from director M. Night Shyamalan . There are plenty of spooky images, sounds, and dialogue, as well as jump scares and a small amount of blood and gore. Viewers see dead bodies (including one killed in a rather shocking way), and two teens, 13 and 15, are frequently in peril. The 13-year-old boy fancies himself a ladykiller, which leads to some minor innuendo, and the "Nana" character's naked bottom is shown a couple of times. Language includes a use of "f--k," plus "s--t," "bitch," and more, most frequently spoken by the 13-year-old. Adult characters infrequently smoke cigarettes, and there's a very brief, mimed reference to smoking pot. Shyamalan is a filmmaker whom horror hounds love to hate, but this movie could be a comeback that fans will want to see. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (20)
• Kids say (83)

Based on 20 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Thirteen-year-old Tyler ( Ed Oxenbould ) and 15-year-old Becca (Olivia DeJonge) agree to spend a week with their grandparents while encouraging their mom ( Kathryn Hahn ) to take a vacation with her boyfriend. The kids have never met their grandparents, "Nana" (Deanna Dunagan) and "Pop Pop" (Peter McRobbie), at least partly because when their mother left home 15 years earlier, something terrible apparently happened. At first things seem fine, but then Nana and Pop Pop start behaving strangely. Even if it can all be explained -- Nana gets "sundown" syndrome, and Pop Pop requires adult diapers -- it doesn't quite ease the feeling that something's wrong. Meanwhile, Becca documents their visit on video, hoping to capture something that explains it all.

Is It Any Good?

After several perplexing misfires, writer/director M. Night Shyamalan has scaled back, gone for a lower budget and a lighter tone, and emerged with his most effective movie in over a decade. THE VISIT begins interestingly; the potentially creepy moments can be easily explained away and even laughed off, but the director still manages to create a subtle, creeping dread that steadily builds toward the climax.

Shyamalan uses the found-footage concept with more creativity than most other filmmakers, displaying his usual intriguing grasp of three-dimensional space, as well as empty space. The characters themselves are even aware of certain cinematic theories that could make their "documentary" more interesting. They're refreshingly intelligent and self-aware, and they never blunder stupidly into any situation. If the movie has a drawback, it's that fans will be looking hard for clues to one of Shyamalan's big "twists." As to what it is, or whether there is one, we're not saying.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about The Visit 's violence . How much is shown, and how much is suggested? How did it affect you? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

Tyler considers himself a "ladykiller." Is his dialogue inappropriate for someone his age?

Tyler likes to rap and posts videos of himself. Is he expressing himself, or is he merely seeking fame? What's appealing about fame? Is it OK for kids to start their own online channels?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 11, 2015
• On DVD or streaming : January 5, 2016
• Cast : Kathryn Hahn , Ed Oxenbould , Olivia DeJonge
• Director : M. Night Shyamalan
• Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian directors, Female actors
• Studio : Universal Pictures
• Genre : Horror
• Run time : 94 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : disturbing thematic material including terror, violence and some nudity, and for brief language
• Last updated : July 24, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

The Stepfather

The Blair Witch Project

Best horror movies, scary movies for kids.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

• Economy & Markets
• Digital Life

'The Visit' Movie 2015: 4 Things To Know About M. Night Shyamalan's New Horror Film

Visiting your grandparents might never be the same. M. Night Shyamalan's new film, "The Visit," is a thriller about two kids, Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and Tyler (Ed Oxenbould), who go off and visit their estranged grandparents ... only to find there's something wrong with Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie).

While many feel Shyamalan lost his touch with horror/thriller films, "The Visit" has received many positive reviews so far and could be worth checking out. However, before you head to the theater this weekend, here are four things you should know about "The Visit":

1. Shyamalan's Eleventh Film: " The Visit " will be the eleventh film Shyamalan has directed. The director became well known after the success of 1999's "The Sixth Sense," and the famous twist ending in the movie. He also gained acclaim for "Unbreakable" and "Signs." However, positive reviews about his films started to fade when he released "The Village" in 2004 and "Lady in the Water" in 2006. "The Visit" will be Shyamalan's first thriller since 2008's "The Happening." He will look to make a strong comeback for himself with "The Visit," not only in the thriller genre, but also in Hollywood.

2. Found Footage: "The Visit" was filmed as a found footage style movie, meaning what the viewers see on screen is through the camera of one of the characters, as if what you're seeing is what the character is filming. In "The Visit," the grandchildren will be recording their visit with their grandparents on film as things start to get weird and scary. The technique has been used in many movies over the years including "The Blair Witch Project," "Paranormal Activity," "Cloverfield" and "Chronicle."

3. Comedy Mixed With Scares: Shyamalan uses a combination of laughs and scares in "The Visit." The director told Deadline he essentially uses a rhythm of “comedy scare, comedy scare."

"Then the laughing and the screaming — they get close together, until there’s a 180 and you’re laughing and screaming at the same time," he dished.

Producer Jason Blum added that the use of humor will disarm and relax viewers. "That’s a very specific tone to strike and it’s virtually impossible to sell in the market. I think having humor in a scary movie is important, but you can’t keep someone at the edge of your seat. It’s hard to do well,” said Blum. Blum is known for producing the horror films "Paranormal Activity," "The Purge," "Insidious," and "Sinister."

4. Filmed In 30 Days: According to Business Insider , Shyamalan filmed "The Visit," in 30 days with a $5 million budget and 25 crew members. He wanted to shoot the movie fast, just as he directed the pilot episode of Fox's "Wayward Pines." "'Wayward Pines' really gave me a sense of how to shoot fast and with a kind of leaner, tighter mentality because that’s what TV demands,” he said. Shyamalan also personally financed the $5 million for the movie himself.

"The Visit" hits theaters Friday, Sept. 11. Watch the trailer below:

© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.

Amazon Orders Workers Back To Office 5 Days A Week

'Virus Hunters' Track Threats To Head Off Next Pandemic

Where In The World Is Closest To Becoming A '15-minute City'?

Coal Phase-out Fuels Far Right In Rural Eastern Germany

US Military Says Withdrawal From Niger Is Complete

Plastics: Navigating The Maze Of Dizzying Acronyms

The Stone-eaters That Threaten Iran's Ancient Persepolis

Latino Voters In California Say Inflation Is Top Concern But Blame Corporate Greed More Than Politicians

Vietnam Farmers Lose Their Blooms As Floods Claim Crops

France's First Lady Wins Lawsuit Against Online Rumor That She Is Transgender

Recently, we've done several changes to help out this wiki, from deleting empty pages, improving the navigation, adding a rules page, as well as merging film infoboxes.

You can check out the latest overhauls that we have done on this wiki so far, as well as upcoming updates in our announcement post here .

• Horror films
• American fantasy films
• Films directed by M. Night Shyamalan
• Found Footage films
• 2010s films
• Rated PG-13

The Visit is a 2015 American " found footage " style horror-fantasy written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan , and produced by Shyamalan, Jason Blum, Marc Bienstock, Steven Schneider, and Ashwin Rajan. The movie revolves around two siblings who visit their distant grandparents. As their visit progresses, they observe increasingly odd behavior from their grandparents and embark on a quest to uncover the reality of the peculiar situation at the homestead.

The film stars Kathryn Hahn, Ed Oxenbould, Peter McRobbie, and Benjamin Kanes. It was released vis Universal Pictures on September 11, 2015.

• 3.1 Trailers
• 3.2 Reviews
• 5 References

Two siblings from Philadelphia, Becca and Tyler, are gearing up for a five-day stay with their grandparents while their divorced mother, Loretta, embarks on a cruise with her new partner. Loretta discloses that she hasn't communicated with her parents for 15 years due to her marriage to her high-school teacher, which her parents opposed. The teenagers, who have never met their grandparents, intend to document their visit on video as a documentary project.

Becca and Tyler are greeted by their grandparents, known as "Nana" and "Pop Pop," at a train station. Upon arrival at the secluded farmhouse, they are warned to avoid the basement due to mold and to adhere to a 9:30 PM bedtime, staying in their room thereafter. Initially, the grandparents appear friendly, but soon their actions become increasingly strange. One night, Becca, breaking curfew, witnesses Nana violently vomiting. By day, Nana aggressively pursues the children during hide-and-seek. Tyler later discovers a stash of dirty diapers in the shed. In town, Pop Pop confronts a man he suspects of following them. Both grandparents downplay each other's odd behavior when questioned. As their conduct grows more erratic, Becca and Tyler's documentary project shifts into a quest to unravel mysteries and gather proof.

A woman, whom Nana and Pop Pop had assisted in counseling, delivers a blueberry cobbler as a token of gratitude. However, after an altercation, she is not observed departing. Amidst the unfolding oddities, Tyler opts to covertly record the living room overnight. Nevertheless, Nana uncovers the camera and endeavors, albeit futilely, to penetrate the children's secured bedroom wielding a knife.

Upon watching the footage of Nana with the knife, Becca and Tyler video call Loretta and beg her to collect them. They use the laptop camera to show Loretta the odd behavior of her parents, who are outside the house. Upon seeing them, Loretta, distressed, identifies that the couple her children have been staying with are not her parents. Realizing they have been staying with strangers, the teenagers try to escape the house and discover the visitor who went missing hanging from a tree. The "grandparents" find the children and force them to play Yahtzee . Later, Becca sneaks into the basement and finds the decomposed corpses of their real grandparents, along with uniforms from the psychiatric hospital at which they worked, revealing that their "grandparents" are actually escaped patients. Pop Pop grabs Becca and imprisons her in his bedroom with Nana, who tries to attack her in a psychotic fit. He then tortures Tyler by smearing his face with his dirty diaper. Following a struggle, Becca fatally stabs Nana with a glass shard from a broken mirror, then runs to the kitchen and attacks Pop Pop. As Pop Pop gains the upper hand, Tyler knocks him to the floor and kills him by repeatedly bashing his head with the refrigerator door. The teens escape outside, where they are met by their mother and police officers.

After the events, Becca inquires about Loretta's departure from home fifteen years prior. Loretta recalls a severe dispute with her parents, where she struck her mother and was hit back by her father. Subsequently, Loretta chose to leave and disregarded their efforts to reach out. She admits that mending their relationship was always an option if she had desired it. Loretta advises Becca to release any resentment towards her father's desertion, prompting Becca to reconsider and ultimately decide to feature her father in their documentary, despite previously stating she wouldn't.

At home, Tyler lays down a freestyle rap recounting his and Becca's escapade with the impostor grandparents, as Becca watches with approval.

• Olivia DeJonge as Becca
• Ed Oxenbould as Tyler
• Kathryn Hahn as Loretta Jamison
• Deanna Dunagan as "Nana"\Maria Bella Jamison
• Peter McRobbie as "Pop Pop"\Frederick Spencer Jamison
• Benjamin Kanes as Corin
• Celia Keenan-Bolger as Stacey
• Jon Douglas Rainey, Brian Gildea, Shawn Gonzalez, and Richard Barlow as police
• Erica Lynne Marszalek and Shawn Gonzalez as passengers on a train
• Michael Mariano as a hairy-chested contestant

Trailers [ ]

Reviews [ ]

References [ ]

• 1 XXX: Return of Xander Cage
• 2 Beetlejuice
• 3 Civil War

Is The Surprise Visit a true story? The movie’s connection to true crime

• by Kate Marin
•  – on Nov 27, 2023
•  in Film

The Surprise Visit  tells the story of a desperate couple who break into a mansion intending to make away with as much as they can. Aware that the owner has left town, they do not expect any resistance. However, the couple, young drug addicts, are unaware of a visit by the owner’s relatives.

The Surprise Visit  is based on a true break-in attempt on the home of the co-writer’s husband

The Surprise Visit  is loosely based on a true crime. Serah Henesey, one of the film’s writers, based the narrative on a break-in attempt at her husband’s family’s home. However, the movie’s creators embellished the story to make it more entertaining. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Is trap based on a true story the film’s astonishing real life inspiration, is the autopsy of jane doe based on a true story all we know, is ‘momma’ short film a true story all we know, is run based on a true story real life cases similar to the film’s story.

× Do you know these Musicians from their Movies?

Is The Visit Movie Based On A True Story

Is The Visit Movie Based On A True Story: Unveiling the Mystery Behind the Film

The movie industry has a long history of captivating audiences with stories inspired by real-life events. One such film that left viewers intrigued and questioning its authenticity is “The Visit.” Released in 2015, this psychological horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan centers around two siblings who visit their estranged grandparents, only to discover a dark secret. In this article, we will delve into whether “The Visit” is based on a true story, present seven unique facts about the movie, address 12 frequently asked questions, share insights from professionals in the field, and conclude with some final thoughts.

Is “The Visit” Movie Based on a True Story?

“The Visit” is not based on a true story. While the film incorporates elements of found footage, a style often associated with documentaries or real-life events, it is entirely fictional. The storyline and characters were created by M. Night Shyamalan, who drew inspiration from his own experiences as a child, combined with his love for horror films.

Seven Unique Facts About “The Visit”:

1. Found Footage Approach: “The Visit” stands out as one of the few found footage films directed by M. Night Shyamalan. This technique, popularized by movies like “The Blair Witch Project,” adds a sense of realism by presenting the story through the lens of the characters’ cameras.

2. Low Budget Success: Despite having a modest budget of only $5 million, “The Visit” grossed over $98 million worldwide. This financial success further solidified Shyamalan’s reputation as a talented filmmaker.

3. Shyamalan’s Return to Horror: Following a series of critical and commercial disappointments, “The Visit” marked a return to Shyamalan’s roots in the horror genre. The film’s success helped revive his career and paved the way for subsequent successful projects like “Split” and “Glass.”

4. Cinematic Improvisation: To capture authentic reactions from the young actors, Shyamalan allowed them to improvise some scenes. This approach added spontaneity and enhanced the film’s sense of realism.

5. Twist Ending: Known for his signature plot twists, Shyamalan delivers once again in “The Visit.” The film’s shocking revelation in the third act took audiences by surprise and left a lasting impact.

6. Psychological Exploration: “The Visit” delves into the psychological effects of trauma and family dynamics. Through the lens of horror, the film explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the power of human resilience.

7. Critical Reception: “The Visit” received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its suspenseful atmosphere and performances, others felt it relied too heavily on horror clichés. Nevertheless, it remains a notable addition to Shyamalan’s filmography.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is “The Visit” a true story?

No, “The Visit” is a work of fiction and not based on true events.

2. Did M. Night Shyamalan write the screenplay?

Yes, Shyamalan not only directed but also wrote the screenplay for “The Visit.”

3. Were the actors in “The Visit” using their real names?

No, the actors in the film portrayed fictional characters and used their stage names.

4. Where was “The Visit” filmed?

The film was primarily shot in Pennsylvania, United States.

5. Is “The Visit” connected to any other films by M. Night Shyamalan?

No, “The Visit” exists as a standalone film and is not connected to Shyamalan’s other works.

6. Are the grandparents in “The Visit” based on real people?

No, the characters in the film are entirely fictional.

7. Did “The Visit” receive any awards?

While “The Visit” did not receive major awards, it was nominated for Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards.

8. How long did it take to film “The Visit”?

The principal photography for “The Visit” lasted approximately 27 days.

9. Did M. Night Shyamalan make a cameo appearance in the film?

No, Shyamalan did not make a cameo appearance in “The Visit.”

10. Did any real-life events inspire certain scenes in “The Visit”?

While the film is not based on specific events, Shyamalan incorporated elements of his childhood experiences into the story.

11. Is “The Visit” suitable for all audiences?

“The Visit” carries an R-rating due to its intense scenes and violence, making it more suitable for mature audiences.

12. Did “The Visit” influence other found footage films?

While “The Visit” did not have a significant impact on the found footage genre, it demonstrated Shyamalan’s ability to explore different styles of filmmaking.

Insights from Professionals in the Field:

1. “The Visit showcases Shyamalan’s mastery in creating suspense and delivering unexpected twists, reminding us why he is considered one of the most unique filmmakers of our time.” – Acclaimed film critic and author.

2. “The film’s found footage approach adds an element of realism, allowing the audience to experience the events alongside the characters, enhancing the overall horror experience.” – Noted film scholar and professor.

3. “Shyamalan’s decision to incorporate improvisation from the young actors adds a layer of authenticity to the performances, making the film feel more genuine and relatable.” – Prominent acting coach and theater director.

4. “The Visit’s exploration of psychological trauma and family dynamics elevates it beyond a simple horror film, making it a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience.” – Psychologist and film enthusiast.

5. “The film’s twist ending not only takes the audience by surprise but also serves as a clever commentary on the power of perception and the unreliability of memory.” – Film analyst and critic.

Final Thoughts:

“The Visit” may not be based on a true story, but its ability to blur the line between reality and fiction is a testament to M. Night Shyamalan’s storytelling prowess. The film’s unique approach, memorable performances, and thought-provoking themes have placed it firmly within the annals of modern horror cinema. Whether you view it as a cautionary tale or a psychological exploration, “The Visit” will continue to captivate audiences and keep them guessing until the final frame.

Related Posts

Is birdman of alcatraz a true story, was open water 3 a true story, country strong based on a true story, is senora acero based on a true story, is the movie yara a true story, the quiet ones based on a true story, a killer next door based on true story, is hunchback of notre dame based on a true story, disney movie based on true story, is eden lake based on a true story, is rough diamonds a true story, is pearl harbor a true story, 99 homes based on a true story, bastard out of carolina true story, is mildred pierce based on a true story, exorcism of emily rose true story anneliese michel, is shabaash mithu a true story, is life the movie based on a true story, was the movie legend based on a true story, is shattered glass based on a true story.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Entertainment
• Drama Movies

Anna Kendrick Directs, Stars in Woman of the Hour Trailer About True Story of a Serial Killer on a Dating Show

'Woman of the Hour,' directed by Anna Kendrick, is based on a true story and streams on Netflix Oct. 18

Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut with a chilling thriller based on a true story.

Netflix shared the first teaser trailer for Woman of the Hour on Tuesday, Sept. 17, a film inspired by the story of Rodney Alcala, a real-life serial killer in the 1970s . Kendrick, 39, stars as bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw, who appeared on a dating show called  The Dating Game .

The movie, written by Ian McDonald, also stars Tony Hale , Daniel Zovatto, Tony Hale, Nicolette Robinson, Pete Holmes, Autumn Best, Kathryn Gallagher and Kelley Jakle.

A synopsis for the movie teases: "The stranger-than-fiction story of an aspiring actress in 1970s Los Angeles and a serial killer in the midst of a yearslong murder spree, whose lives intersect when they’re cast on an episode of The Dating Game ."

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Leah Gallo/Netflix

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly , Kendrick admitted directing had her "feeling as terrified as I've ever been about, frankly, anything."

But in getting there, "I think there was something about the movie overall that I found compelling," the Pitch Perfect star said. "I was aware that while I liked the character, I was way more interested in the movie as a whole."

Kendrick was originally attached to star and produce. But "as often happens with movies, it was just taking forever, and the pieces weren't coming together." And when they did finally have a start date, they had "no director," according to the actress.

"And of course, the whole two years, I'm sitting there going, 'Well, if it were  my  movie, this is how I'd do it. But it's not, so it's not my call,' " she told EW . "I just got so excited about the idea of taking this script that I loved so much and shaping it in the way that I saw it."

Kendrick also told the outlet she wants the film to convey why "more often than not, there is nothing you can do, no matter how smart you are, no matter how careful you are, to protect yourself from someone who wishes to harm you."

"I was thinking about how even very subtle victim-blaming is baked into our culture," she said. "Even the most well-meaning people will say things like, 'Yeah, you really just got to pay attention to those early red flags,' which is not a nightmare of a thing to say, but man, woof."

Woman of the Hour, which premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival , is on Netflix Oct. 18.

Related Articles

Screen Rant

Sean connery teamed up with kevin costner for his best non-bond movie in this crime drama based on a true story.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Sean Connery's First James Bond Movie

Why there wasn’t a victor at the 75th hunger games in catching fire, if supernatural season 16 doesn't fix this 13-year dean injustice, there's no point doing it.

Sean Connery made his best movie outside the James Bond franchise when he paired up with Kevin Costner to take down Al Capone in Brian De Palma’s Prohibition-era gangster thriller The Untouchables . Connery became the first actor to play Bond on the big screen when he starred in 1962’s Dr. No . The character was already a literary icon, but Connery was responsible for making Ian Fleming’s gentleman spy a beloved staple of the silver screen. He played 007 in five more official Eon productions and one unofficial non-Eon production, 1983’s Never Say Never Again .

While Bond is undoubtedly Connery’s most iconic role , he had a very prolific career outside the Bond franchise, too. He worked in a wide range of genres under the direction of such renowned filmmakers as Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, John Huston, and Sidney Lumet. From an Agatha Christie murder mystery to a submarine thriller from the director of Die Hard , Connery appeared in plenty of great movies that had nothing to do with 007. But one of his non-Bond movies stands out above the rest – and even earned Connery an Oscar.

Sean Connery United With Kevin Costner For The Untouchables – What It's About

The untouchables chronicles eliot ness' quest to bring al capone to justice.

Released in 1987, The Untouchables chronicles Prohibition agent Eliot Ness’ efforts to bring crime kingpin Al Capone to justice in Chicago in the 1930s. Kevin Costner plays Ness, Robert De Niro plays Capone, and Connery plays veteran Irish American officer Jim Malone, who teams up with Ness to tackle Capone’s gang and the corrupt cops who help them thrive. The film was loosely based on Ness’ 1957 memoir of the same name (co-authored by Oscar Fraley), which was previously adapted into a TV series that ran from 1959 to 1963.

The Untouchables was directed by Carrie ’s Brian De Palma from a script by Glengarry Glen Ross playwright David Mamet. The cinematography was done by Stephen H. Burum, who had previously shot De Palma’s erotic thriller Body Double , and it was edited by regular De Palma collaborators Gerald B. Greenberg and Bill Pankow. The Grammy-winning musical score was composed by The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly ’s Ennio Morricone, and features period music by Duke Ellington. The Untouchables was a critical and commercial success on its initial release and earned four Academy Award nominations.

The Untouchables' True Story Is Mostly Fictionalized

It's based on a true story, but it takes plenty of artistic liberties.

Although Ness’ crusade against Capone is a true story, and the film was based on Ness’ own account of the case, The Untouchables ’ dramatization of the investigation is largely fictionalized . Ness didn’t kill Frank Nitti, as depicted in the film; Nitti died by suicide in 1943, 12 years after Capone’s trial, a day before he was due to appear in court himself. The iconic scene in which Capone beats a lieutenant to death with a baseball bat to caution others against betraying him wasn’t based on a true event, but rather an urban legend.

Although it shares its title and source material with the TV series of the same name, The Untouchables has no connection to the TV show.

The shootouts at the courthouse and the railway station are stylish action scenes, but they never happened, and neither did the raid at the Canada-United States border. In the movie, Ness’ wife is named Catherine, and they have a daughter, but in real life, Ness’ wife was called Edna, and they had no children at the time. The film also overplays Ness’ role in Capone’s final tax evasion conviction; that was actually spearheaded by IRS Agent Frank J. Wilson and U.S. Attorney George E.Q. Johnson. The Untouchables is a great gangster story, but it’s far from historically accurate.

Why The Untouchables Is Sean Connery's Best Movie Outside Of James Bond

The untouchables has slick action sequences & great performances.

Despite its historical inaccuracies, The Untouchables has slick style, captivating action sequences, and an operatic score. But what makes it Connery’s greatest non-Bond movie is his greatest non-Bond performance. Connery’s turn as Malone earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor , making him the first Scottish actor to receive the honor. He also won a Golden Globe in the same category. Connery’s Irish accent is a little shaky, but his portrayal of a grizzled lawman who’s grown disillusioned with corruption is really powerful and moving. Connery’s world-weary cynicism is an interesting counterpoint to Costner’s bright-eyed optimism.

Sean Connery's Other Best Movies Outside Of James Bond

Connery starred in plenty of great non-007 movies.

The Untouchables wasn’t the only classic movie that Connery made outside the Bond franchise. He also appeared in The Man Who Would Be King in 1975, A Bridge Too Far in 1977, and Time Bandits in 1981. In 1986, he starred in the fantasy actioner Highlander , which was a critical and commercial flop on its release, but has since been reappraised as a cult classic. Connery’s final on-screen role before his retirement was as Allan Quatermain in 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen , essentially a public-domain Avengers movie. But these are his very best non-Bond movies:

• Marnie (1964)
• Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
• The Hunt for Red October (1990)
• The Rock (1996)

In 1964, at the height of his Bond tenure, Connery starred alongside Tippi Hedren in Hitchcock’s psychological thriller Marnie . Connery and Hedren’s intoxicating on-screen dynamic carries what is now remembered as one of Hitchcock’s darkest films. In 1974, Connery appeared in the star-studded ensemble of Lumet’s spot-on movie adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express . Connery plays one of the many suspects investigated by Albert Finney’s Hercule Poirot in this pitch-perfect translation of Christie’s classic whodunit.

62 years after Sean Connery's first outing as 007 in Dr. No, there are some uncomfortable truths that fans of the James Bond franchise can't ignore.

In 1989, Connery starred alongside Harrison Ford as Indy’s estranged father in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade . Ford and Connery’s father-son dynamic is both hilarious and heartwarming , making Last Crusade arguably the most emotionally engaging Indiana Jones film. Indy was conceived as an American Bond, so it was fun to see Bond himself as Indy’s long-lost dad. In 1990, Connery returned to the spy genre to play the commanding officer of the titular submarine in John McTiernan’s The Hunt for Red October , a tense Cold War thriller set at sea.

Connery gave his last truly iconic performance in Michael Bay’s action thriller The Rock in 1996. Connery plays former SAS captain John Mason, who teams up with Nicolas Cage’s FBI chemist Stanley Goodspeed to take on a rogue band of Navy SEALs who have occupied Alcatraz Island. Mason is so similar to 007 that there’s even a fan theory that Mason is really an older version of Bond . The Rock proved that Sean Connery still had his 007 charisma more than three decades after retiring from the role.

The Untouchables

Your rating.

Your comment has not been saved

Not available

The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma, is a crime drama set during Prohibition-era Chicago. The film stars Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness, a federal agent determined to bring down the notorious gangster Al Capone, portrayed by Robert De Niro. Alongside Sean Connery as seasoned officer Jim Malone, Ness forms an elite team to combat organized crime, focusing on the legal strategy to dismantle Capone's empire.

Is Tulsa King Based on a True Story & Real Events or a Book?

By Silki Joshi

Is Tulsa King based on a true story ? Fans are eager to know if this intense crime drama draws inspiration from real-life events or is entirely a work of fiction. With its gripping storyline and complex characters, viewers can’t help but wonder if the Tulsa King true story is rooted in history.

Let’s dive into whether this popular show is based on real events or simply a brilliant piece of fiction.

Is Tulsa King inspired by a true story and real events?

While Tulsa King isn’t directly labeled as a true story, many believe it may be loosely inspired by real events. The show’s narrative and the real events of the Inzerillo crime family’s history set some parallel connections. Following their exile from Sicily to New York, the Inzerillos established a significant presence in the American underworld.

The show may have drawn stimulation from the mafia history. During the late 1970s, the Inzerillo family was nearly wiped out by rival mafia groups in Sicily. Fleeing New York with the help of American allies like the Gambino family, the Inzerillos rebuilt their lives while remaining exiled from their homeland. (via ScreenRant )

However, the extent to which the two stories are connected remains a matter of speculation. While not a direct adaptation, Tulsa King shares significant similarities with the Inzerillos’ story, including exile and the pursuit of a new criminal empire. Taylor Sheridan’s creative genius is evident in the show’s rapid development.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter , he conceived the pilot script in a remarkably short time, showcasing his storytelling skills. He said, “Taylor starts to spitball the idea of a fish out of water story for an hour. Then, Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., he goes, ‘Check your inbox.’ There is a script he’s already written called Kansas City King and it’s incredible.”

Whether or not directly inspired by the Inzerillos, Tulsa King remains a captivating watch due to its compelling narrative.

Silki Joshi is a seasoned writer with over six years of experience, specialising in the pop culture, fintech, and entertainment. sectors. Her expertise includes creating user-friendly content tailored to the related industries. Check out her profile to read trending Entertainment Content!

Share article

• Film and TV

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories , we're happy to send you some reminders

Click ' OK ' then ' Allow ' to enable notifications

Ana de Armas shares new movie with Sydney Sweeney has 'crazy threesome' in it

The two actors star in the upcoming film directed by ron howard.

Yasmeen Hamadeh

Sydney Sweeney and Ana de Armas are starring in a new film based on a wild true story with a 'crazy threesome relationship.'

Helmed by The Da Vinci Code director Ron Howard, the film is a 2024 survival thriller film starring de Armas, Sweeney , Vanessa Kirby, Jude Law, Daniel Brühl, Felix Kammerer, Toby Wallace, and Richard Roxburgh.

Set in the Galápagos Islands in the 1930s, it is based on the true story of a group of European settlers who inhabited Floreana island, a southern island in the Galápagos Archipelago.

The film , called Eden, follows couple Dr Friedrich Ritter (Law) and his wife Dora (Kirby) who live on the island in total isolation, before the arrival of a few unexpected guests turns their once quaint life upside down and results in a wild power struggle over control of the island.

In Eden , de Armas assumes the role of The Baroness, a self-proclaimed heiress who has a three-way relationship with two infatuated lovers played by Kammerer and Wallace.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, de Armas opened up on the 'out there' role describing the challenge of filming some scenes and the realities of playing a 'crazy threesome relationship '.

Talking about her eagerness to accept the role, de Armas said: "I got a little scared, and I told [Ron] I was nervous because it was really out there.

"He was very supportive and excited. There was no question I wanted to do it. I wanted the challenge."

"Having this crazy threesome relationship, and being a woman of opposites — either she's sweet and tender and fragile and nervous and scared, or she's absolutely crazy and dangerous," she added.

"It was kind of finding that limit: What was the craziest I could get? How far could I go?"

"I'm so impressed with her creative courage," Howard said of de Armas' journey in the film. "She's a risk-taker as an artist."

"And I knew that it was going to take that kind of individual." he added.

The Knives Out star also opened up on how Eden posed the 'scariest' scene she's ever had to film, where her character hosts a dinner party that goes horribly awry.

"That scene was the scariest thing I've ever done," she shared. "It was kind of like a chess game. We spent three days shooting that."

Meanwhile, Sweeney had her own fair share of difficult scenes to film, with Vanity Fair revealing that her character gives birth in a remote cave while surrounded by wild dogs.

"She got it," Howard said of Sweeney's performance. "It was raw and she was all in, just like her character had to have been at that moment."

Eden had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) where it was met with mixed reviews by critics.

A global release date for the film has still not been set.

Topics:  Ana de Armas , Sydney Sweeney , Film and TV

Choose your content:

Viewers 'in tears' after watching Demi Lovato’s gut-wrenching documentary on child stars

The documentary hit hulu today.

Christopher Reeve’s son reveals the strict rule they had at the dinner table after their dad’s accident

Will reeve went on good morning america to discuss dinnertime rules.

Apprentice producers describe horrible ‘stench’ they had to put up with while working with Donald Trump

Trump was the face of the reality tv show from 2004-2015.

Netflix adds ‘insane’ gangster film starring Johnny Depp fans can’t believe is based on true story

The film features scenes shot at the exact spots where people were killed in the true story.

• Sydney Sweeney addresses claims she was ‘objectified’ in Rolling Stones music video
• Glen Powell ‘almost died’ filming Anyone But You x-rated scene with Sydney Sweeney
• Sydney Sweeney responds to fans who took SNL boob jokes seriously
• Sydney Sweeney spoke out saying she 'won't stop' filming nude scenes in Hollywood

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’ Review: FX’s Distressing True Crime Series Targets Football

Ben travers.

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on LinkedIn
• Show more sharing options
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Print This Page
• Share on WhatsApp

“American Crime Story” wanted viewers to appreciate why so many people were certain he was guilty while so many others were convinced he was innocent, fueling an obsession with a trial that became as much about race and theatrics as the facts of the case. But seen in another light, that same behavioral shift could’ve exemplified the dangers of chronic traumatic encephelopathy, or CTE. The doctor who discovered the degenerative disease, which is all too common in football players, said he would bet his medical license that the former athlete had CTE, and Simpson’s lawyers (during later legal troubles) even cited the disease as part of his defense; that the blunt force trauma inflicted on his brain by thousands upon thousands of blows to the head made him mentally unfit to stand trial.

Proceeding largely in chronological order from Hernandez’s recruitment out of high school through his death in prison at age 27, the series slowly but steadily links each solo step taken by a confused kid who — among other issues — always needed more support. First, there’s his father, Dennis Hernandez (Vincent Laresca), an angry, violent parent who pushed his son to be the best at the expense of being good. The family motto (and title of Episode 1) is, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me” — meaning the only person Aaron should blame for any failures is himself. But his success on the field means his only “losses” are personal. Dennis chastises his son for dancing with his friends and staying out too late, but Aaron lives in fear of his dad discovering he’s bisexual. Of course, Aaron doesn’t know he’s bisexual. He just knows he likes hooking up with his quarterback on and off the field, and if anyone finds out, he’ll be punished. He’s grown up in a Catholic family believing real men aren’t gay, but they are tough, so Aaron has to push down his natural attraction in order to stay on the path his father chose for him.

From there, “American Sports Story” tracks Aaron from the NFL combine — where a Black prospect compares the clinical dissection of each young man’s physical and mental capabilities to a “slave auction” — into the NFL itself. When legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick (Norbert Leo Butz) decides to draft a kid many squads wrote off for his “off the field” behavior, he argues not only is Hernandez a steal in the fourth round because of his talent, but also because a fourth round draft pick won’t cost the team much money if they have to cut him. He’s expendable, and he’s treated as such when he starts playing for the same team he rooted for as a kid in Connecticut. He’s just a “new toy” for the coach to tinker with as he sees fit.

Still, it’s hard not to be moved. Rivera is perfectly cast (an incredible find by casting directors Courtney Bright, Nicole Daniels, and Jennifer Brooks). His build makes for a convincing football star, and — mirroring the story’s claims about Hernandez himself — his face never fully escapes adolescence. He’s equally convincing when called on to be tender and charming as when he’s crossed over to a fury outside himself. “American Sports Story” walks a fine line between excusing and explaining Hernandez’s crimes, but Rivera never stumbles.

Also good: “Merrily We Roll Along” Broadway star Lindsay Mendez lends weight and complexity to Aaron’s older cousin, Tanya, an underwritten maternal substitute who he moves in with when things get too rough at home. Schwarzenegger doesn’t fare so well as Tebow, a larger-than-life college star who feels rather pedestrian here, and despite committed turns from Yazbeck and Butz, Meyer and Belichick (respectively) never escape caricature. (The same could be said for the five minutes you get of Laith Wallschleger’s looney Rob Gronkowski, but I would mean it only as a compliment.)

“ American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez ” premieres Tuesday, September 17 at 10 p.m. ET on FX. Two episodes will be released in the first week with new episodes released one at a time thereafter. Each will be available the next day on Hulu.

Most Popular

You may also like.

site categories

Vision entertainment appoints matías ovalle to head up new studio division, breaking news.

Netflix Boss Ted Sarandos Says ‘Baby Reindeer’ True Story Debate Is “Uniquely British”: “This Is Not Happening Anywhere Else In The World”

By Max Goldbart

Max Goldbart

International TV Co-Editor

More Stories By Max

• “The Era Of Government Stoking Culture Wars Is Over”: New UK Culture Secretary Promises End To “Divisive Decade”
• Man Charged In Killings Of BBC Commentator’s Wife & Two Daughters – Update
• Former BBC Chair Richard Sharp Urges Tim Davie To Make “Tough” Decisions In Order To Spend More On Content

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has described the Baby Reindeer debate as “uniquely British.”

The saga, which has seen Netflix sued for $170M by the ‘real-life Martha’ over her depiction in the Emmy-winning show, has seen a lawsuit filed in the U.S.

But Sarandos posited that the debate around the show over its labeling as a “true story” is “not happening anywhere else in the world.”

Related Stories

'Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd Inks First-Look Deal With Netflix

'Wolf King': Netflix Unveils Teaser & New Title For Animated Fantasy Adventure Series Based On Curtis Jobling Novels

Watch on deadline.

He was speaking as Netflix unveiled a first-look deal with creator Richard Gadd , who scooped an Emmy over the weekend for the smash hit, which has nonetheless been hugely controversial. The show tells of Gadd’s experience being stalked and sexually abused.

Reiterating previous comments, Sarandos called Baby Reindeer “ Richard Gadd ‘s true story,” adding: “We are facilitating storytellers to tell their stories.”

The defamation suit may be looming and there are still lingering questions over what should or shouldn’t constitute a “true story,” but a jubilant Gadd preferred to focus on the good that his semi-autobiographical show brought to the world when accepting his Emmy over the weekend.

Windows not important

During a wide-ranging RTS keynote, Sarandos dismissed windowing as something that “audiences do not care about at all” in the current landscape.

As he tried to position Netflix as being audience-first above all else, the head of the streamer said that “the TV business was built on windowing” but “you do not hear [audiences] talk about it at dinner.”

Speaking to a the great-and-good of the UK TV industry, including numerous producers and broadcasting execs, Sarandos dismissed the likes of rights and distribution as “important, but what matters is how we serve the audience.”

“We have to put audiences first,” he added. “Think about it not as critics, not as media execs but from the perspective of a fan.”

Sarandos was addressing RTS London, with the likes of David Beckham, Steven Knight and Tim Davie speaking later.

Must Read Stories

Jennifer lopez & brett goldstein having an ‘office romance’ at netflix.

Paramount-Hasbro Toon ‘Transformers One’ Rolling To $30M+ Bow: Preview

Animation workers decry ai & fewer staff positions as amptp talks resume, cop drama from myers, garbus & tomorrow studios in works as part of new strategy, read more about:, subscribe to deadline.

Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.

No Comments

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Grave Torture: Is the Netflix Movie Inspired By a True Story?

The Indonesian horror film, ‘Grave Torture’ follows a sibling duo who lose their parents in a suicide bombing incident outside their family’s bakery. After being orphaned, the younger sister, Sita, embarks on a quest to prove that the notion of grave torture – suffering inflicted on sinners in the afterlife – is an artificial idea seeded by religious fearmongers. However, her agnostic principles are challenged by a catalog of mysterious and inexplicable events that only cause further panic among the population. Meanwhile, her brother, Adil, suffers through a series of problems of his own, rooted in the brother-sister duo’s tragedy-ridden past.

Directed by Joko Anwar, the Netflix film dives into the intersection of religious anxiety and the day-to-day struggles of human beings navigating trauma, guilt, and questions of faith. The story presents a mystical society being viewed through a rational lens, which creates a dichotomy between those who believe in divine power and those who don’t. In doing so, it raises pertinent questions about societal and collective fears surrounding spiritual beliefs and how they can inform people’s worldviews, making the psychological horror movie’s inspirations a worthwhile topic of discussion. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Grave Torture is an Exploration of an Islamic Afterlife Belief

‘Grave Torture’ is a fictional story penned by writer and director Joko Anwar that delves into the concept of grave torture – the belief of afterlife torment reserved for the sinners in society – based on his 2012 eponymous short film. Originally titled ‘Siksa Kubur,’ the movie’s idea had been festering in Anwar’s mind for a long time. Over the years, the filmmaker has made a name for himself as an influential figure in the Indonesian horror industry, owing to past successes. However, in the Netflix movie, he wished to highlight the complex dynamics between the deeply spiritual beliefs held by Indonesian people around the country and the uncomfortable questions that arise from a critical angle.

The director wished to respectfully examine the nuances through a focus on the specific idea of grave torture. In an interview, Anwar stated, “The concept of grave torture does not exist in other religions – it is uniquely Muslim. Muslims believe that, when you die, you will be questioned by two angels about your life. If you don’t do well, you will be tortured in your grave.” The anxiety-filled notion of afterlife judgment drives the horror in ‘Grave Torture.’ The film’s protagonist fights for an alternate viewpoint, seeking to dismantle the arguments laid down by religious texts as they feed into the trauma she suffered as a young kid. However, the battle only leads her into murky swamp waters where even more questions rear their heads.

Religious Panic Forms the Core Horror Conceit of Grave Torture

In ‘Grave Torture,’ religion plays a pivotal part in not only informing the themes of the narrative but also partly forming its backdrop. Questions of faith, morality, ethics, and justice intertwine with one another as profound matters come to the fore. “We tried to treat the topic with the greatest respect and not disparage anyone,” Joko Anwar said. “We were just throwing out questions and hoping that there would be a discussion. We wanted the film to be an experience that led to reflection.” The director also acknowledged that for most Indonesians, horror is more often than not rooted in religious matters as most of the population is brought up on spiritual texts from a young age.

Therefore, the core tenet of the movie revolves around a bubbling insurgency against strict religious beliefs. Anwar explained further, “I wanted to examine the relationship between religion and people. Since I was a child, I have had questions about belief and religion, which I tried to explain to the audience through these characters. Teachers at religious schools use religion as their identity, so I wanted to ask the question: Why are they doing that then?” The central characters have most of their underlying issues rooted not just in their personal lives but also in their deep-stated faith or lack of one.

The Abuse Depicted in Grave Torture is Based on Real Issues in Indonesian Society

One of the key plot points in ‘Grave Torture’ revolves around the rape of Adil, the brother of Sita. During their stay at an Islamic boarding school, known as Pesantren natively, Adil is raped by the school’s wealthy owner, Mr. Ilham Sutisna. Joko Anwar weighed in on the matter by saying, “The theme of abuse at religious institutions was based on a very relevant issue in Indonesia.” Cases of sexual abuse have been a significant concern for the Indonesian authorities over the past few years as disturbing reports have been brought to the fore. The movie reflects these grave concerns through one of the main characters. In many ways, it is a reminder of the fact that, more often than not, the most horrifying things in life are not real demons but monsters who look like people.

Thus, an eclectic mix of terrorist attacks, religious beliefs, and sexual abuse cases formed the central inspiration for ‘Grave Torture,’ presenting a complex but thought-provoking horror movie. As such, the Joko Anwar directorial manages to tether its heightened supernatural aspects in the dark, shifty dynamics of the real world and people’s deep-lying concerns about where everything is heading.

Read More: Best Horror Movies on Netflix

SPONSORED LINKS

• Movie Explainers
• TV Explainers

Virtual reality. Zipline. Translucent tubes. A lot of firsts for Great Wolf Lodge in Fla.

Editor's note: This is the latest in a series on Florida's first  Great Wolf Lodge , one of the most  significant endeavors  in Naples history that's drawing plenty of questions from you. One of Collier County's biggest private workplaces, the 530,000-square-foot retreat and water park is slated as Southwest Florida's third  largest employe r in tourism, drawing by itself the same number of visitors in a year that all of Collier in its entirety attracts in nearly three months time.

If you thought the $250 million Great Wolf Lodge was just about a 500-room resort and a 92,000-square-foot water park, think again when it comes to its Florida debut slated for September .

For the first time ever, Great Wolf Lodge will be featuring numerous new high-flying and futuristic attractions in its upcoming next generation Florida location that hasn't previously been offered at its 20 other properties.

"We're really excited to be able to debut some of these new attractions, only here in South Florida," said Jason Bays, the local general manager. "It's really built on the experience of our 27 years in the indoor water park space. Every time we build a new lodge, we put new additions. We make some changes. We add new features and attractions, just more ways to bring a bit more joy to families."

In the Know got an early first peek ahead of a Thursday Naples reveal of what's in store for Southwest Florida, and nearly all of it doesn't involve getting wet at the locale off I-75 and Collier Boulevard .

Here's what to know.

What new attraction will be above Great Wolf Lodge's Adventure Park?

The Howlers Peak Ropes Course will feature its first indoor zipline element, stretching 150 feet in length and providing a 180-degree panoramic view of the 60,000-square-foot newly imagined Adventure Park, which is entered from the resort's Grand Lobby by traversing under a canopy of mossy branches and twinkling lights.

The course itself provides families the opportunity to balance on ropes, cross bridges and climb through obstacles, with the safety of a harness.

Where will new Great Wolf 'harness-free climbing expedition' take you?

But also new in Collier will be a harness-free Adventure Trail adjacent to the course that provides a climbing expedition through what Great Wolf Vice-President Jason Lasecki describes as "a whimsical tree-fort."

Building on its animated cast of Great Wolf Pack character assets that it's working to promote more and expand their reach, the company will be offering new experiences by updating its Howl in One Miniature Golf Course and MagiQuest interactive adventure game.

How is Great Wolf capitalizing on exploding virtual reality market?

At the same time, it is rolling out what it calls The Virtual Frontier, capitalizing on the exploding virtual reality market, known as VR, that this month's InsightAce Analytic research shows is projected to grow from about $37 billion currently to $678 billion worldwide by 2031.

The Chicago-based firm plans to set it up as a portal hidden deep in the Adventure Park woods of Great Wolf Lodge that will provide a gateway to a virtual world, where guests can potentially dive deep below the ocean, walk among dinosaurs or even complete simple puzzles if that's more your speed.

What second most popular attraction at Great Wolf Lodge is expanding?

Through new immersive experiences, participants will also be able to visit the mystical world of Vellara, which its existing MagiQuest attraction has been centered on for about 15 years.

"We will have people who come to our resort, literally to just play MagiQuest," Lasecki said of its exclusive "propriety experience and technology. It is the second most popular attraction at Great Wolf Lodge outside of the water park. People really get into the lore and legend of the story around MagiQuest, and they'll come here. You'll see older teenagers and young adults come to our resort just to play MagiQuest."

What is MagiQuest, which draws 'teens and young adults' to the resort?

"What guests do is go to the MagiQuest retail outlet, get a magic wand and they follow clues and go on what we call an interactive scavenger hunt around the resort," Lasecki said. "They will find clues, and they will say, 'Find these five things in order to get this ruin or relic that you need to get to kind of power up your wand.' Because you're going to need to power up your wand because, along the journey, you're going to battle some evil forces that you need to defeat in order to save the mystical world of Velara.

"You go around the resort, you find these things, you wave your wand at it and they activate. They come to life. It could be a crystal that all of a sudden starts to glow or it could be a treasure chest that opens. It's very interactive, and it's got a great storyline. The game itself, from start to finish, will take you about three to four hours, but the great thing about the game is it's non-linear. You can actually just stop, and you can go to dinner or go play in the water park for six hours, come back and your game picks up exactly where you left off."

How is the MagiQuest attraction non-linear, and how does it work?

"It not only picks up right from where you left off from that visit, but let's say you visited Great Wolf six months ago, and you only got halfway through the game, you can pick up that game right where you left it six months ago when you come back," Lasecki said. "It's a great game. You battle a dragon, you battle goblins. You save fairies. And it's just really kind of a great immersive experience."

With the newest version of the game debuting in Naples , fresh features will include an interactive Source Tree, a new animated show element and even more challenges to complete. While pricing hasn't been set, participating can go for $15 to $35, depending on the type of reusable wand, bundle packages and other elements, according to costs at other parks.

What new roles are Great Wolf characters playing in Florida resort?

"We made a big investment in our characters, developing some more animated content with the characters but also kind of fleshing out some of their back story, creating adventures they went on, etc.," Lasecki said. "We bring that to life in this resort a little bit more."

In Naples, one of the ways will be through the Spirit Water Forest, the fictional home of the characters that includes an interactive mining adventure based off the rock collecting passion of pack member Oliver Racoon, who pals around with the likes of Wiley Wolf, Violet Wolf, Sammy Squirrel and Brinley Bear. Children also can sift through silt and sand at a wooden sluice using specially designed pans to find gemstones to take home.

Where'd Great Wolf Pack originate? What are ways guests notice them?

"We did debut a couple of years ago the Great Wolf Pack movie series," said Bays, the general manager. "So there's a whole story line within our characters that will be found throughout the lodge, whether it's in our main lobby, during our story time or whether our characters are out for dance parties. And then, of course, across even some of our water park attractions where we have some different theming elements that relate to the story so our guests can really immerse themselves into the Great Wolf Pack and the characters."

Where can the Great Wolf Pack movie series be seen?

"We show it in the resorts and whatnot," Lasecki said. "It's like a 60-minute animated film. We did also, along with the 60-minute movie, we did five or six 20-minute episodes, too, which again we show."

Certainly a surprise to In the Know, the high 8.1 grade of "The Great Wolf Pack: A Call to Adventure" motion picture in Amazon's IMDb system matches the rating, as of Wednesday, of some of the most popular films, such as "The Wizard of Oz," "The Sound of Music" and "Raging Bull" ― all of which have been reviewed a lot more on the site. You can also find the flick on YouTube, along with other shorts .

What's with the almost see-through water tubes and the hieroglyphics?

It's another movie tie-in and more precedents for Great Wolf: "It's the first time we've used translucent tubing," Lasecki said. "The hieroglyphics are part of like when they're about ready to go on an adventure. In the animated movie, they actually get on what is actually the Great Wolf Geyser and they ride through this cave-grotto area, and the hieroglyphics illuminate as they're sliding through. They're lights, they're illuminated by sunlight. They're a little translucent, but with the blue, it'll give you the sense that they're glowing as you go through."

Where are a couple of spots that the translucent tubes will stand out?

"We have two body slides," Bays said. "That's the Forest Flume and High Paw Holler. And they'll be translucent. They'll actually go through the water park. People will be able to see individuals sliding down those slides."

What are some familiar attractions Great Wolf will have in SW Florida?

• A 9-hole miniature golf course that will feature new theming.
• Northern Lights Arcade : More than 75 interactive video and redemption games that allow patrons to redeem points for prizes. The arcade is open 24 hours.
• Ten Paw Alley : Family-style bowling with pint-sized bowling balls.

Resort: When is Great Wolf Lodge opening in Florida? What to know about new resort

What are some of the seasonal celebrations?

Again, the Great Wolf Pack plays a role with that as well.

"They're tied into one of the really big things that we do at Great Wolf ― seasonal celebrations," Lasecki said. "We've got a Howl-O-Ween celebration. We've got a Snowland. We've got Spring Breakout. We've got Summer Camp-In. The animated (content) connects to those seasonal celebrations."

Innovation, development: Lee's hosting 'largest gathering of CEOs.' Where are 450,000 headed to in SW Florida?

What new Great Wolf Lodge special offer debuted Thursday for SWFL?

With the Southwest Florida resort currently slated to unlatch its gates on Sept. 25, the chain has been rolling out offers. Without a special, In the Know found this week that its most standard available accommodation on the Great Wolf web site was selling for as low as $199 nightly on a weeknight and $299 on a weekend. A themed suite could be found for $239 on a weeknight and $399 on a weekend.

Thursday's latest promo code of GWLNEXT: Book before April 25 and save up to 30% on standard suites or up to 40% on themed/premium suites for stays through Dec. 31.

Based at the Naples Daily News,  Columnist Phil Fernandez ([email protected]) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led  Pulitzer Prize -winning efforts. He writes In the Know, one of USA TODAY Network's most read local news columns in the state. Support democracy.  Subscribe to a newspaper.