The Visit

Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's strangely spooky, suspenseful tale revolves around siblings spending a week at their maternal grandparents' remote Pennsylvania farm. Realizing that their recently divorced mother (Kathryn Hahn) needs a vacation, teenage Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and her exuberant, rap-loving, younger brother Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) encourage her to take a Royal Caribbean cruise with her boyfriend. Having initially disapproved of the marriage, the grandparents have been estranged from the mother for years and have never met the grandkids but are now eager to mend the relationship. So aspiring filmmaker Becca decides to make a documentary about their time with Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie), who are a bit odd. Nana's always baking and Pop Pop can be unexpectedly curt, cautioning the siblings not to leave their bedroom after 9:30 p.m. Hearing strange nocturnal noises, the kids peek out and spy Nana wandering around nude, clawing the walls. Pop Pop explains that she is “sundowning,” a medical term referring to people with dementia. Becca functions as the compassionate commentator while the duo curiously explore their mother's childhood home. Utilizing weird camera angles and a found footage gimmick, Shyamalan ultimately delivers a trademark final twist in this low-budget film that features a load of horror movie clichés. Optional. [Note: Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” featurette (10 min.), deleted scenes (9 min.), an alternate ending (3 min.), a “Becca's Photos” gallery, trailers, and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so chiller.] (S. Granger)