By Jackson Weaver
Staff Writer
The twisted combination of innocent grandparents and pure evil is put on display in director Manoj Night Shyalaman’s terrifying film “The Visit”.
“The Visit”, directed by Manoj Shyalaman, depicts the story of children meeting their grandparents for the first time. Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) and Becca (Olivia DeJonge) see their unusual and creepy grandparents as innocent, but after supernatural events their first impression quickly changes to fear. With strong performances from both major and minor characters, “The Visit” exhibits itself as a cynical horror film.
Single mother (Kathryn Hahn) plans to go on a dream cruise with her new boyfriend Miguel (Jorge Cordova), her parents want to take care of and meet their grandchildren. Becca and Tyler are about to spend the week with their grandparents for the first time.
The brother and sister are eager to meet their grandparents to try and make amends to their mother’s and grandparents’ relationship. However their unusually quiet and awkward Nana (Deanna Dougan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie) quickly escalate to creepy behaviors that seem to only become stranger after 9:30 pm.
As the plot progresses, the character development becomes an important aspect in understanding the story. For example, when Becca leaves her room after their 9:30 bedtime and starts to approach the staircase, she notices her Nana walking into the doorway beginning to projectile vomit all over. Becca becomes uneasy with the fact that her Pop pop says that she is “sick” from old age.
Throughout, the film is found-footage format or shot through the lens of Becca’s video camera. This style of camera footage can be both effective, but also excessive. The pros of this style are that it adds an eerie edge; however, it also partially limits the shot of the entire setting. This use of footage also limits a clear image as the camera jerks from movement.
Comedic stints from hip hop extraordinaire Tyler alleviates and combats some of the intense horror in the film. For example, Tyler explains to his grandparents that hip hop is musical poetry and that he can “spit” a verse from any word. This laughable scene draws away from the constant terror in the film, and shows that the film is flexible and not one dimensional.
The sheer horror presented in this film creates a dark atmosphere that proceeds through the entire film. Other than Nana’s supernatural episodes, their Pop pop also displays disturbing scenarios. Throughout the film, their Pop pop experiences bowel issues forcing him to wear diapers that need to be changed continually. This is usually normal as people grow older, but instead of throwing them away, he keeps onto all of them in a shed. This disgusting image illustrates the twisted theme created by director Manoj Shyalaman amplifying this horrid plot
The abnormal couple of Nana and Pop pop truly exemplifies the horrid film created by Manoj Shyalaman. Quality performances from Ed Oxenbould and Olivia De Jonge tie together the entire film Overall, “The Visit” is an exceptional thriller that changes the perception of sweet and loving grandparents into living nightmares. Furthermore, the film balances horror and small scenes of comedy into a blend.
“The Visit” is rated Pg 13 and is playing nationwide.
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