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Poster of The Visitor

The Visitor (2007)

“Connection is everything.”

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Where to Watch in

Free

Subscription

Purchase

Plot

In the quiet corridors of a Connecticut college, a seemingly sullen and detached economics professor, Walter Vale, walks a path of monotony. His life, a symphony of solitude, echoes through his uninspiring lectures and an unfulfilled endeavor to write a book. Amidst this humdrum existence, Walter's only beacon of hope is his deceased pianist wife's legacy, which he attempts to reach by learning to play the piano, albeit with little success. A business trip to a New York Conference on Global Policy and Development propels Walter out of his comfort zone and into the vibrant, unpredictable life of the city. Upon his arrival, he finds his seldom-used apartment occupied by two unexpected guests: Tarek Khalil, a vivacious Syrian drummer, and his girlfriend Zainab, a Senegalese-born artisan. Deceived into thinking they had legitimately rented the apartment, the couple stands on the precipice of homelessness, prompting Walter to offer them temporary shelter. Initially, Zainab's wariness towards Walter creates a tense atmosphere, but Tarek, with his infectious zest for life and shared love for music, bridges the divide. Through African drumming lessons, Walter and Tarek form an unlikely bond that reignites Walter's spirit and thrusts him back into the realm of the living. However, their harmonious world is shattered when a subway misunderstanding leads to Tarek's arrest, revealing him and Zainab as illegal immigrants. This event ushers Walter into the tangled web of immigration law, compelling him to hire a lawyer and act as a liaison between Tarek and Zainab. Just as Walter is grappling with this arduous task, Tarek's mother, Mouna Khalil, arrives unexpectedly from Michigan, worried about her son's sudden silence. Like her son, Mouna is an illegal immigrant and cannot visit Tarek, pushing Walter further into the frontlines of this battle. As Walter fights for Tarek's freedom, he finds solace and companionship in Mouna's presence, and a new purpose begins to take shape in his once mundane life. In the shadow of adversity, Walter rediscovers the beauty of life, breathing new meaning into his existence, and opening his heart to the rhythms of the world around him. "The Visitor" paints a vibrant picture of humanity, friendship, and resilience, set against the backdrop of New York's melting pot of cultures.

Where to watch The Visitor?

The Visitor is a crime movie featuring Richard Jenkins and directed by Tom McCarthy.

The Visitor is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV and it's also available on Hoopla, Starz, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV Channel and Starz Roku Premium Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Visitor on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.