The Visitor (2008)
A quiet, deeply human drama about loneliness, belonging, and the unexpected friendships that wake us back to life.
The Visitor - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Visitor
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Tom McCarthy
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Music
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Arabic, English, French, Romanian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 21, 2008 (Germany), February 22, 2008 (United States - PG-13), March 13, 2009 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: 幸福来访时 (CN), Ein Sommer in New York (DE), O Visitante (BR), The Visitor (ES), A látogató (HU), The Visitor (US), Návštěvník (CZ)
- Production Companies: Overture Films, Participant, Groundswell Productions, Next Wednesday Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Visitor - Plot
A college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment.
The Visitor - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what awaits in this moving drama:
Connection is everything.
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The Visitor - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tom McCarthy
Main Cast
- Richard Jenkins
- Haaz Sleiman
- Danai Gurira
- Hiam Abbass
- Marian Seldes
- Maggie Moore
- Michael Cumpsty
- Bill McHenry
- Richard Kind
- Tzahi Moskovitz
Writers
- Tom McCarthy
Producers
- John Woldenberg
- Michael London
- Mary Jane Skalski
The Visitor - FAQs
What is The Visitor about?
The Visitor follows Walter Vale, a detached Connecticut professor who travels to New York and discovers an immigrant couple living in his apartment. Rather than evicting them, he forms a deep bond with them, rediscovering joy through drumming and human connection — until a sudden immigration crisis upends everything.
Who are the main actors in The Visitor?
Richard Jenkins leads the cast as Professor Walter Vale in a career-defining performance. He's joined by Haaz Sleiman as Tarek, a Syrian musician, Danai Gurira as his Senegalese girlfriend Zainab, and Hiam Abbass as Tarek's warm and quietly heartbreaking mother, Mouna.
Did Richard Jenkins win awards for The Visitor?
Richard Jenkins earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as Walter Vale — a remarkable recognition for a largely wordless, interior performance. He also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead, cementing The Visitor as a landmark film in his career.
What role does drumming play in The Visitor?
The djembe drum is the film's emotional heartbeat. When Tarek teaches Walter to play, it becomes a metaphor for Walter's awakening — breaking through years of emotional numbness. Music here isn't just a hobby; it's the language through which two very different people genuinely connect across cultural divides.
Is The Visitor based on a true story?
The Visitor is not based on a specific true story. Writer-director Tom McCarthy crafted an original screenplay inspired by broader themes of immigration, isolation, and human connection in post-9/11 America. The characters and events are fictional, though the immigration detention system depicted reflects real-world policies and experiences.
Where can I stream The Visitor?
You can watch The Visitor for free on Tubi TV (with ads), Kanopy, and Hoopla. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of ways to catch this gem.
How does The Visitor end?
After Tarek is deported despite Walter's efforts to fight the system, Walter is left devastated and transformed. In the film's final, wordless scene, he descends into a subway station and plays the djembe alone on the platform — a quietly powerful image of grief, resilience, and the indelible mark human connection leaves behind.
What is the age rating for The Visitor?
The Visitor is rated PG-13 by the MPA. The rating reflects some thematic intensity around immigration detention and emotional drama, but the film contains no graphic violence or explicit content, making it accessible to most teen and adult audiences.
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