The Visit (1964)

In the humble town of Guellen, a community is teetering on the edge of despair. The once-thriving mining and factory industries are now ghostly vestiges of the past, casting a shadow of poverty over the town. The Mayor, Council, and townsfolk eagerly anticipate the arrival of Karla Zachanassian, a former resident who left Guellen at seventeen and ascended to staggering wealth and power. The hope is palpable; they believe Karla, now one of the world's richest individuals, might breathe life back into their dying town. The unassuming Serge Miller, a small shop owner and potential future mayor, is chosen to greet Karla. Their past is intertwined as former sweethearts, a history that adds a layer of complexity to their reunion. As Karla steps foot in Guellen, the town hosts a lavish dinner in her honor. The Mayor delivers a heartfelt speech, painting a rose-tinted picture of Karla's youth in Guellen. But Karla, undeterred by the sentimentality, unmasks the truth. She recounts a tale of abuse and betrayal, shedding light on a past steeped in hardship. She speaks of an alcoholic father, an abusive teacher, and the loss of her virginity to Serge that led to a pregnancy. When Serge orchestrated her defamation, she lost her child and was exiled from Guellen. Her struggle led her to Trieste, where she toiled in a brothel before meeting her affluent husband. Her purpose for returning, it transpires, is not to invest but to exact revenge. She proposes a chilling bargain: a fortune for Guellen and its inhabitants, in exchange for the life of Serge Miller. As the town reels from her shocking proposition, a pressing question hangs in the air: What will the desperate residents of Guellen choose to do?

The Visit is a drama movie featuring Ingrid Bergman and directed by Bernhard Wicki.

It is possible to buy The Visit on DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.