GRANDMA’S NOT BAKING COOKIES! “THE VISIT”

Running Time: 1 hour and 34 minutes
Rated PG-13
Grade: B
Written & Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Olivia DeJonge as Becca
Ed Oxenbould as Tyler
Deanna Dunagan as Nana
Peter McRobbie as Pop Pop
Kathryn Hahn as Mom

My parents asked if their grandchildren could visit them for a week.

Becca and Tyler’s mom hasn’t spoken to her parents since she left home 15 years ago to marry a man that they didn’t approve of. Since then, her husband left the family which causes behavioral abnormalities in Becca and Tyler. When Becca and Tyler’s maternal grandparents request that Becca and Tyler visit, it coincides with a much needed vacation that their mom has planned with her boyfriend. Becca is an aspiring film maker who takes full advantage of filming the visit with their estranged grandparents. Tyler is an aspiring rapper who loves to tease his older sister. At first, they have a great time but as each day passes they notice increasingly odd behavior from their grandparents especially at night. Will Becca and Tyler convince their mom that something is seriously wrong before it is too late?

Bedtime here is 9:30. It’s probably best that you two shouldn’t come out of your room after that.

It looks like M. Night Shyamalan has come out of his 13 year slump with this comedy/horror film! Shyamalan became a household name with his first three thrillers (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs) but received mixed to negative reviews on his following films. The Visit is a chance for Shyamalan to get back to his roots of making a very satisfying film. The story grabbed the audience’s attention from the very first frame and kept everyone engaged as it steadily built up to the classic Shyamalan plot twist. The narrative was fantastic as well as the performances of those who spoke the lines. Peter McRobbie (Lincoln), Deanna Dunagan (Have a Little Faith), and Katherine Hahn (We’re the Millers) fully embraced their roles as well as the two young actors with Ed Oxenbould (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) hilariously stealing almost every scene that he is in. With the lowest budget since his very first film, The Visit doesn’t feel like the typical ‘found footage’ film instead it exudes creativity. Go see it (preferably before 9:30pm)! ~Movie Buffette