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The Visitor

Play trailer Poster for The Visitor PG-13 2008 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 120 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) travels to New York for a lecture, he's stunned to find illegal immigrants Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira) living in his apartment. It comes out that it was rented to them by a swindler, and Vale feels sufficiently sorry for them that he invites them to stay. They get on well until Tarek is accused of jumping a subway turnstile and lands in a detention center. He risks being deported, and Vale does everything he can to prevent it.
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The Visitor

The Visitor

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Critics Consensus

The Visitor is a heartfelt, humanistic drama that deftly explores identity, immigration, and other major post-9/11 issues.

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Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness Nov 23, 2008
C+
A character study drowning in liberal guilt. Go to Full Review Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Aug 29, 2008
4/4
A beautiful, quiet, measured movie about the death of some American values since September 11, 2001. Go to Full Review Anna Smith Empire Magazine Australasia Aug 18, 2008
4/5
The tension dips occasionally but stick with it and you'll be richly rewarded. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ Apr 6, 2021
4/5
While newcomers like Sleiman and Gurira are impressive, it's the veterans Abbass (Paradise Now) and Jenkins (TV's Six Feet Under) who deserve the plaudits. Go to Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Feb 13, 2021
The Visitor ... is a generous, humane response to the US government's war on the Middle East and on immigrants in America. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Nov 28, 2020
7/10
Richard Jenkins' acting is phenomenal, even though his role demands that he remove a wide array of emotions from his weathered face. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 9, 2026 The Visitor = a *4* star movie See more Patrick W @2manyhorses Jul 23, 2026 A bit of in your face reality of good people’s unfair hardships. Very sad, but in my American attitude I was hopeful they’d clear up an issue and all would eventually be reunited and live happily ever after. 😢 See more Joe G @RT15156522 Jul 19, 2026 Movie with a message - but not a good one. This movie is little more than a pitch for immigration reform. If that's your cup of tea then this is the movie for you. It makes a weak attempt at character interaction and development to help you swallow the storyline and tug at your heartstrings in the hopes of making you sympathize with the main character, but in the end, most will walk away with a complete understanding of the attempt at manipulation. See more Mary C. @swede55 Jun 17, 2026 Deep, riveting, characters you care about. ICE portrayal to a "T" Hated the ending :( See more Brian H @TheMrBrianH May 27, 2026 If you have the capacity to empathize with other humans, and the struggles they face, this movie is a delight. If you are bigoted against immigrants, you will not be able to see the Forrest for the trees, and will get mired in your hatred for people you see as lesser than you. The acting is very understated but extremely impactful. While it was produced in 2007, it is just impactful or more 19 years later. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jan 1, 2026 The worldwide gross is $18,213,880.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
The Visitor

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Cast & Crew

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Tom McCarthy

Director

Richard Jenkins

Walter Vale

Hiam Abbass

Mouna

Haaz Sleiman

Tarek

Danai Gurira

Zainab

Maggie Moore

Karen

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The Visitor

The Visitor (2007) The Visitor (2007) A scene from the film "The Visitor." A scene from the film "The Visitor." A scene from the film "The Visitor." A scene from the film "The Visitor." A scene from the film "The Visitor." On the set of the film "The Visitor." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) travels to New York for a lecture, he's stunned to find illegal immigrants Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira) living in his apartment. It comes out that it was rented to them by a swindler, and Vale feels sufficiently sorry for them that he invites them to stay. They get on well until Tarek is accused of jumping a subway turnstile and lands in a detention center. He risks being deported, and Vale does everything he can to prevent it.
Director
Tom McCarthy
Producer
Mary Jane Skalski, Michael London, Omar Amanat
Screenwriter
Tom McCarthy
Distributor
Overture Films
Production Co
Participant Prods.
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 11, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.4M
Runtime
1h 43m
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