The Visit Netflix

Ed Bradley

2 min read

·

07-12-2024

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M. Night Shyamalan's The Visit (2015), currently streaming on Netflix, presents a unique blend of found-footage filmmaking and unsettling psychological horror. While the film effectively builds suspense and utilizes its chosen format to create a palpable sense of unease, it ultimately suffers from a predictable plot and underdeveloped characters.

A Creepy Grandma and Grandpa

The film follows Becca and Tyler, two siblings who embark on a week-long visit to their grandparents' secluded Pennsylvania farmhouse. Their parents, divorced and estranged, haven't seen their parents in years, encouraging this visit as a way to reconnect. From the outset, the grandparents' eccentric behavior—Grandma's erratic energy and Grandpa's oddly childlike demeanor—creates a palpable sense of unease. The found-footage style, employing the children's handheld cameras, further enhances this unsettling atmosphere, drawing the viewer directly into the siblings' increasingly uncomfortable experience.

Effective Use of Found Footage and Suspense

Shyamalan masterfully employs the found-footage technique, using it not merely as a gimmick, but as a tool to amplify the film's suspense. The shaky camera work, coupled with the children's naive perspective, successfully conveys the growing sense of dread as the siblings uncover increasingly disturbing clues about their grandparents' true nature. The film's sound design also plays a crucial role, with unsettling noises and sudden bursts of sound contributing significantly to the overall sense of unease. Several scenes, particularly those involving nocturnal events, are genuinely chilling and effectively utilize the limitations of the found-footage format to create a sense of claustrophobia and vulnerability.

Predictable Plot and Underdeveloped Characters

Despite its strengths in atmosphere and suspense, The Visit ultimately falls short due to its predictable plot. The film's central mystery, though initially intriguing, becomes fairly transparent as the narrative unfolds. The revelation of the grandparents' true nature, while somewhat shocking, lacks the emotional impact it could have had with more nuanced character development. Becca and Tyler, while relatable in their initial fear and confusion, remain relatively underdeveloped throughout the film, hindering the audience's ability to fully connect with their plight.

A Mixed Bag

The Visit, while not Shyamalan's finest work, offers a reasonably effective blend of psychological horror and found-footage filmmaking. The film successfully generates a sustained atmosphere of unease and suspense, particularly during its first and second acts. However, its predictable plot and underdeveloped characters prevent it from reaching its full potential. Those seeking a genuinely frightening and suspenseful film might find it enjoyable, though viewers expecting complex character arcs and a truly original narrative may find themselves somewhat disappointed. It's a solid entry in the found-footage horror subgenre, but it ultimately remains a missed opportunity for a more profound exploration of its themes.