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The Visitor
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The Visitor

2008
Drama
1h 44m
A college professor travels to New York to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment. (imdb)
Directed by:
Thomas McCarthy Thomas McCarthy
Written by:
Thomas McCarthy Thomas McCarthy
Starring:
Richard Jenkins Richard Jenkins Deborah Rush Deborah Rush Hiam Abbass Hiam Abbass Maggie Moore Marian Seldes Marian Seldes Haaz Sleiman Danai Gurira Danai Gurira
More
Genre:
Drama
Country:
USA
Languages:
English, French, Arabic, Romanian
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Visitor

2008
Drama
1h 44m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 63.95% from 1249 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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theficionadotheficionado
Rated 19 Jun 2008
37
34th
The proselytizing occasionally becomes unfortunate, wish they hadn't made the immigrants martyr-saints.
Rated 19 Jun 2008
paxtonPaxton
Rated 22 Mar 2024
43
13th
Instead of drums he could've been learning to bang pans together for as subtle as this script is.
Rated 22 Mar 2024
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 11 Mar 2009
5
44th
Just gets progressively worse throughout. The beginning is awesome but it just gets so sappy and dumb. Don't understand the Oscar nod for Jenkins, he was decent but nothing amazing. With 30 minutes left I was praying for it to end, and you could see the ending a mile away.
Rated 11 Mar 2009
icarusIcarus
Rated 07 Feb 2009
70
41st
Enjoyed a great deal of this, at least until it became over-written and over-wrought. The quiet observation of the first 2/3 gives way to a preachy, sermonizing mentality in the final 1/3. I appreciated the slow reveals about the characters in the first part of the film and the way music and art penetrate the existence of these people and serve as a kind of life-giving force for them.
Rated 07 Feb 2009
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 04 Oct 2008
6
34th
Apart from the solid acting, I don't think a story has ever pissed me off this much, but I'm sure a correct audience will find a good film in there. The first 40 minutes were great but then the plot unfolds: bland, pretentious and forgettable. (spoiler ahead) One particular scene almost made me turn off my tv set: Walter and Mouna go out to see The Phantom of the Opera, and end their evening with a candle light dinner...Ooh and btw: your son is this close to being deported... "Cheers !!!"
Rated 04 Oct 2008
emtiltemtilt
Rated 25 May 2009
58
37th
Too bad all the immigrant characters are one-dimensional saints. You can't make a compelling film or case with such one-dimensionality. It just becomes simplistic and dull. Filled with cliche. Decent performers and a nice final shot save it from total failure.
Rated 25 May 2009
kavuKavu
Rated 29 Jan 2009
47
22nd
The beginning is good but when the plot starts it turns steeply downhill. Jenkins is good but not really worth the nomination.
Rated 29 Jan 2009
turinturin
Rated 26 Nov 2008
60
40th
Life of a respectable college professor takes a new turn when chance puts on his way a pair of illegal immigrants. An independent American film, which means it's still more schematic (but also accessible) then most mainstream productions from Central Europe, for example. It's a pity that subtle humor (the professor in a suit playing on a djembe) and the theme of self-rediscovery gives place to a political pamphlet on immigrant rights.
Rated 26 Nov 2008
gor41gor41
Rated 15 Feb 2009
80
63rd
Restrained, elegant study of a man's midlife crisis and his salvation through the plight of illegal immigrants he becomes involved with. Jenkins is worthy of his nomination but is ably supported by a talented ensemble.
Rated 15 Feb 2009
maakalmaakal
Rated 15 May 2011
55
11th
Wow, Criticker totally gave me the wrong score for this cheesy pile of crap. If this had been made in 1988, I'd possibly have appreciated the whole "different-colored people have something to offer" sentiment more... but man. An unnecessary relic, learning about "others" through the eyes of a kindly old, rich, educated white man. Well-meaning condescending is the worst sort.
Rated 15 May 2011
reubenitereubenite
Rated 22 Aug 2008
85
84th
Very much a product of its time, the movie works largely through its outstanding performances. Occasional missteps are easily forgivable.
Rated 22 Aug 2008
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 17 Feb 2010
72
29th
Ostensibly the story of a white man who learns to open up a little after exposure 2 good-hearted immigrants, it's really (& too blatantly) a mostly 1-sided condemnation of US detention policies post-9/11. More subtlety would've been nice (dining-out detention guards don't even tip!) since the purity& complete lack of cultural friction shown by the immigrant leads only highlights the superficiality of the characterization. If nothing else, this'll remind u where u fall on the political spectrum.
Rated 17 Feb 2010
mohkoMohko
Rated 29 Jan 2009
30
20th
Starts as a decent drama but then turns into a crappy and cheesy tv-movie. No clue why Richard Jenkins got an Oscar nomination.
Rated 29 Jan 2009
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 03 Jan 2009
80
91st
Truly don't want to be hyperbolic, but the immigration office scene towards the end is maybe the best acting I've ever seen. Richard Jenkins does stuff.
Rated 03 Jan 2009
misterlizardmisterlizard
Rated 31 Dec 2012
60
61st
Well-acted and engaging, but everything plays out exactly how you expect it to. I have a hard time saying anything else about this, because while a pleasant watch it just breezed over me and left no lasting impression.
Rated 31 Dec 2012
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 01 Feb 2009
70
54th
Essentially a mid life crisis/immigrant character piece with not so subtle political commentary. Nothing special, but not bad either
Rated 01 Feb 2009
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 27 Jan 2009
75
65th
I fear that the general public will probably overlook this or not "get" it due to lack of previous knowledge on the subject, which is a shame because this is an important and timely story. The acting is great, particularly Jenkins. It's definitely not a film for everyone. The drum scenes are fantastic and somehow really help the film.
Rated 27 Jan 2009
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 19 Jan 2009
70
77th
The acting was superb, can't say enough about the actors/actresses, all of whom I don't recall from their other films. Although the story did weaken at one point, it still came out quite good.
Rated 19 Jan 2009
damildamil
Rated 28 May 2012
75
81st
I really liked this film. The director has a style that I really appreciate. I could never quite tell where the story was going with this one, but I always enjoyed where it ended up. I liked how it dealt with ideas of race, culture and immigration. It also presented a nice look at music. Richard Jenkins was great along with the supporting cast. All in all, it was a lovely, affecting film with a very real feel to it.
Rated 28 May 2012
3names3Names
Rated 07 Nov 2008
88
68th
It's not magnificent, but there is some nice dialogue through-out... Definitely worth your time...
Rated 07 Nov 2008
closefriendCloseFriend
Rated 09 Jul 2012
82
79th
Tom McCarthy makes films with real, human emotion about solitary, introspective people having their lives changed through an unlikely friendship. They all work and I love them all. This film also portrays Muslims, Arabs, and immigrants as real people, not just malicious parasites or bombs covering brown flesh. A sad but uplifting film about our post-9/11 world.
Rated 09 Jul 2012
yesistastyyesistasty
Rated 03 Mar 2010
66
15th
The opening 15 minutes are heartbreaking. Too bad they're also misleading. The rest of the movie is contrived, ham-fisted garbage.
Rated 03 Mar 2010
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 05 Dec 2009
85
89th
It's a simple story that goes exactly where you think it would go. That McCarthy is able to craft a deeply emotional film suffused with both great beauty and profound sadness within the confines of a seemingly conventional narrative is what makes it so remarkable. Richard Jenkins does stellar work.
Rated 05 Dec 2009
lebarLebar
Rated 04 Oct 2008
88
94th
Mr. Walter is man with pure soul and big heart . The movie is real and touching...nice one!
Rated 04 Oct 2008
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 31 Aug 2010
85
81st
Even though this is a film that steeps itself in realism it probably works best if seen as surreal one. The premise is absurd, even if the problems portrayed in the film are real, but it serves as a good base for the insanity and conflict, both internal and external, that is a part of social identity. Great performances and interesting execution, although sometimes it gets too wrapped up in the layers of alienation and misses the mark.
Rated 31 Aug 2010
sebbysebby
Rated 28 May 2009
45
21st
Too didactic and like a TV movie starting from the 40-minute mark.
Rated 28 May 2009
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 12 Jan 2017
70
69th
Tom McCarthy once again doing what he does best: quiet character dramas that take a simple plot and manage to become captivating through the pacing, the editing, the music, the acting and the way those characters face the events that occur. "The Visitor" is an engrossing film, put together in a way that the viewer effortlessly grows attached to the characters, without even noticing. Jenkins, in his first leading role, does an excellent job, and so do the other actors. An honest sophomore effort.
Rated 12 Jan 2017
aromano37aromano37
Rated 07 Mar 2009
60
39th
Kind of a let down, but not a bad movie
Rated 07 Mar 2009
lawrencelawrence
Rated 09 Jun 2009
98
76th
Powerful.
Rated 09 Jun 2009
dilmuhillDilmuhill
Rated 26 Mar 2012
75
57th
Richard Jenkins, bravo! I went in to watch this film thinking it was going to be good, and it delivered. I see it's labelled as 'comedy' before 'drama' at the top. Hmmm, I'm not too sure about that as I didn't get many laughs out of this, just a raw performance from Richard Jenkins and a brilliant, at times feel good, drama. Very good, watch it!
Rated 26 Mar 2012
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 22 Dec 2010
81
71st
A very strong performance by Richard Jenkins elevates this movie altogether. There is room for improvement is the majority of the other performances, but the story is pretty compelling regardless.
Rated 22 Dec 2010
isaboojumisaboojum
Rated 09 Jan 2012
3
59th
A bit disappointing, but I do like McCarthy's low-key style.
Rated 09 Jan 2012
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 09 Sep 2009
5
43rd
Good acting. Just didn't really get into the story.
Rated 09 Sep 2009
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 30 Apr 2009
87
56th
Like Jenkins' character, the movie becomes more interesting in the second half.
Rated 30 Apr 2009
shoranShoran
Rated 26 Jun 2009
70
63rd
It was a charming and lovely film in many ways which poses a lot of questions on this touchy immigration issue. The actors were solid but the latter parts of the film became quite cliche. But hey, the rest was good.
Rated 26 Jun 2009
fleetfoxfleet_fox
Rated 29 Jan 2009
75
20th
Richard Jenkins totally carries the film and gives an incredible performance worthy of an Academy Award.
Rated 29 Jan 2009
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 30 Jul 2013
2
17th
reeeally lifeless white man meets reeeally nice illegal immigrants in a world stained by the tears of 9/11 and war and floods and other shit, is reinvigorated, immigrants get martyred, reinvigorated white man gets pissed off because IT'S JUST NOT FAIR! THEY'RE MORE HUMAN THAN I HAVE BEEN IN YEARS! and the immigrants think he's cool as hell for it. just an insultingly predictable and condescending guilt-trip, only carried by hiam abbass. people keep calling it 'timely' lol.
Rated 30 Jul 2013
jordandcfcJordanDcFc
Rated 14 Mar 2011
71
42nd
[SPOILERS] A bit dissapointing given Tom McCarthy's debut 'The Station Agent'. It had the same kind of feel but felt a little forced and a bit pretentious to be honest. The acting was good - except for the Richard Jenkins shouting scene - but it failed to grip me in a way that made me care about the characters. It was enjoyable, and there was some great scenes, particularly the drumming in the park scene. I didn't buy the romance between Walter and Mouna either.
Rated 14 Mar 2011
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
82
71st
81.67.
Rated 23 Mar 2014
90scoffee90sCoffee
Rated 25 Feb 2018
73
39th
Blandly sympathetic
Rated 25 Feb 2018
theescapistTheEscapist
Rated 05 Apr 2013
75
77th
A good, well-acted, well-made drama but not surprising enough for me to truly call it great.
Rated 05 Apr 2013
legstumplegstump
Rated 26 Jan 2009
75
80th
A sad, timely film filled with justifiable anger. Jenkins gives one of the performances of the year.
Rated 26 Jan 2009
markusleimarkusLei
Rated 25 Jan 2010
71
13th
Lacks an ending.
Rated 25 Jan 2010
westknifewestknife
Rated 28 Nov 2009
82
70th
"I PROMISE TO KEEP MY PANTS ON." "What?"
Rated 28 Nov 2009
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 20 Mar 2013
85
90th
Top badass moment? When it comes to doing new things, I'll be the first to admit I'm a coward. My comfort zone is very well-defined and heavily defended by some state of the art hardware that even the American's haven't got battlefield ready yet. Seriously, even the idea of making a trip to a new supermarket is as stressful and scary as going to an alien plant for gender reassignment. So Walter join the drumming circle in the park is most definitely badass. No cats, chainsaws or decapitations.
Rated 20 Mar 2013
jay_iiJ_A_Y
Rated 10 Dec 2009
92
92nd
Good Movie that I saw after a long time... great acting ! The whole plot can be summarized in couple of sentence.. and still the movie leaves you with great impression.
Rated 10 Dec 2009
sportyjaysportyjay
Rated 28 Dec 2009
77
75th
some great performances, it was nice.
Rated 28 Dec 2009
smacfarlsmacfarl
Rated 29 Mar 2010
85
44th
Well Acted. Realistic take on arab immigration issues in post 9/11 NYC. All characters retain their dignity, while the story goes out of the way to avoid hitting hard. Given the climate this was filmed in this is not surprising. Jenkins puts up a great illustration of ineffective US white suburban rage.
Rated 29 Mar 2010
willxcorewillxcore
Rated 27 Jan 2009
92
93rd
I love movies that concentrate on a revitalization of a character's spirit. This was very tastefully and artistically done here. I wasn't offended by the political message at all because it wasn't in your face in any way. The ending was on of the most perfect endings I've seen in a very long time. Loved it.
Rated 27 Jan 2009
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 21 Jul 2011
58
12th
A middle-aged man who is dead to the world is reawakened by coming into contact with some illegal immigrants. Despite a promising start, and a worthy message, this ends up being a well-acted TV movie. Very disappointing.
Rated 21 Jul 2011
sweinbergs.weinberg
Rated 22 Apr 2009
80
70th
"Much more interested in its interpersonal relationships than it is in climbing a soapbox and preaching to the choir."
Rated 22 Apr 2009
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Mar 2011
20
41st
"The Visitor's allusions to our fucked up state-of-affairs feel like gratuitous background noise." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 20 Mar 2011
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 18 Dec 2011
79
77th
This is a well made film that I really enjoyed. Richard Jenkins is great in the lead role and all the supporting characters are well played. This is an interesting story from a director I am increasingly liking more, Thomas McCarthy
Rated 18 Dec 2011
totoroTotoro.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
30
7th
Too in your face about illegal immigration. Jenkins is okay.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
mrcinemaMr.Cinema
Rated 02 Nov 2023
64
62nd
Simple and Touchable!!!
Rated 02 Nov 2023
glmglm
Rated 01 Jan 2011
87
85th
86.500
Rated 01 Jan 2011
haileyHailey
Rated 24 Aug 2009
50
11th
I was accidentally given this movie by mistake at the video store when I wanted to rent the French comedy "The Visitors" (I had seen the American remake, "Just Visiting"), so I don't know what to say! Interesting idea, but really boring!
Rated 24 Aug 2009
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 21 Feb 2009
71
79th
good movie
Rated 21 Feb 2009
dooooooleydooooooley
Rated 23 May 2009
84
52nd
felt so refreshed for the main character by the end. a delightful story but nothing mindblowing
Rated 23 May 2009
geohawkgeohawk
Rated 11 Jun 2017
78
36th
Jenkins and Abbass shine, and the script serves them, mostly, pretty well. The whole thing has a very relaxed feel, except for the occasional clunky showy moments. Besides deportation policy, privatized prisons also come in for a bit of a scorching here.
Rated 11 Jun 2017
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 20 Nov 2011
73
82nd
The didactic way the story unfolds is pretty uninspired, but there's enough good stuff here that I can overlook some of the flaws.
Rated 20 Nov 2011
goporkersgoporkers
Rated 19 Aug 2009
88
56th
Enjoyed this thought provoking film about illegal immigrants and one man's journey after his wife dies. Excellent performances all around and the ending did not disappoint me but seemed appropriate.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 03 Mar 2009
90
84th
Vibrant and well acted - something Updike would have been proud to write.
Rated 03 Mar 2009
polymath74polymath74
Rated 19 Aug 2009
80
63rd
A beautiful movie about a university professor whose life is turned upside-down by a couple he finds squatting in his seldom-visited inner-city apartment. So far is it from a mainstream Hollywood movie, it doesn't even have a happy ending. The rich characters and the meaning they find in their growing relationships were wonderful.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
jnydamjnydam
Rated 25 Jan 2024
73
77th
Such a touching film. It is a little cheesy and vanilla at times but it is a pure film.
Rated 25 Jan 2024
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 25 May 2009
87
79th
McCarthy's second film sticks to small moments and people living quiet lives, finding braver truth in the process. In that respect, it's right in line with his debut, 2003's surprising The Station Agent. It does that film better by simply having a more vital story to tell. And it boasts a fantastic, resonant performance by longtime character actor Jenkins. The plot details aren't especially surprising, making it more impressive that McCarthy manages to extract real poignancy out of the story.
Rated 25 May 2009

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