The Visitant Will Excite Your Pulse: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by FWC Pictures.

Tagline: "They said their live would last forever...but beyond the grave?"

Director/writer: Jon Binkowski.

Cast: Michele Feren, Tracy Wiu and Sallie Glaner.

The Visitant is the second film from FWC Pictures. FWC Pictures is based in Orlando, Florida and director Jon Binkowski is one of the company's co-owners. Their first film was the theme park set Scarezone (2009), which this film fan enjoyed. The second film from FWC, The Visitant, is told in the style of a paranormal thriller. This film is well shot and the story acts out much like a character study, with the focus placed on the protagonist Samantha (Michele Feren). The Visitant is an indie production that is also a solid thriller.

The film, essentially, deals with a haunting. Samantha is a struggling actress, who limelights as a fortune teller. One of her customers, a distraught realtor (Sallie Glaner) brings Samantha a tale of woe and Samantha gets a little too involved with this minor character's plight. Soon, Samantha is bringing her work home with her, in the form of a paranormal haunting. If that is not enough, Samantha is already dealing with the tragic death of her boyfriend, Stephen. So, is the haunting a voice from the past, or a malicious entity bent on Samantha's demise?

Michele Feren as Samantha (right) as a fortune teller.

This question is revealed late in the picture through a seance. And, much of The Visitant plays out like a paranormal thriller. The film begins with a tense scene, which transitions into another, earlier seance. Their are possessions, charms, magical protections and exorcisms. These fantastic elements ground the film in the supernatural and there are several exciting moments here too. The entity and antagonist is rarely shown in the film. But, when the ghost appears, it is usually playing with the light or hovering just out of the camera lens. The film works well with its ghostly material, while providing some backstory on demons and other magical lore.

Jon Binkowski again brings a well shot thriller to the screen. Binkowski uses an interesting style to chronicle the ghostly events on film. For instance, the director shoots an early scene through a crystal ball's reflection. The reflection distorts character's shapes. This shooting style is bizarre, but strangely compelling. As well, Binkowski allows props to fill in story details. The demise of a loved pet is given a backstory with the appearance of an alligator's head; that poor dog. And, the director also uses light to keep the ghost's presence close to character Samantha. A ghostly hand hovers over the female protagonist as if ready to strike. But, the hand is only shown in shadow. All of these directing techniques provide for an effective visual experience.

Finally, The Visitant plays out like a character study, in film. The other minor characters have their minds set on what Samantha is experiencing. Samantha's counsellour believes that she is still grieving from the loss of Stephen. And, the character's house is littered with photographs of Stephen; the counsellour would be partially right. Are the flickering lights really Samantha's grief expressed outwardly? Samantha's friend, Maya (Tracy Wiu), does not think so. Maya believes that Samantha is being haunted by some sort of third tier apparition. But, is she pranking Samantha? The director also suggests that Samantha is being haunted. The camera focuses on moving shadows and strange events. So, the story of The Visitant is primarily focused on the paranormal, rather than a psychological haunting.

The Visitant is a compelling indie feature from Binkowski and FWC Pictures. Fans of independent thrillers will find entertainment value here, despite the focus of the film resting on one character. The events onscreen develop in the vein of a paranormal thriller and certain psychological elements might be an attempt to distract the viewer, from what is actually causing Samantha's distress. The Visitant will appear the Fright Night Horror Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky July 26th and thriller fans should actively seek this title out. Your excited heartrate will thank-you.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (interesting protagonist, well acted, the sets are well dressed and the production values are high).

A trailer for the film can be found at The Visitant homepage, found below:

The Visitant Official Website

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