Jump to Content

The Visitor Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Connection is everything.

Portrait of Amy Renner Amy Renner

Last modified: Feb. 10, 2009

The Visitor

Release Date: Friday, April 11, 2008

Director: Tom McCarthy

Starring: Richard Jenkins Hazz Sleiman Hiam Abbass

PG-13 Drama 1 hr, 48 m

33% 67%

Plot

What's the story about?

Plot
In a world of six billion people, it only takes one to change your life.

Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) is a lonely man. Having lost his wife, as well as his passion for teaching and writing, he’s merely going through the motions. He fills his empty days by trying (unsuccessfully) to play classical piano. When the college where he teaches sends him to attend a conference in Manhattan, Walter returns to the apartment he once shared with his wife … and is startled to discover that a young couple is living there!

Victims of a real-estate scam, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman, “Veronica Mars,” “24”), a Syrian man, and his Senegalese girlfriend Zainab (Danai Gurira, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” the upcoming Ghost Town) have nowhere else to go. Reluctantly, Walter allows them to stay with him – and thus begins an amazing, emotional journey for all of them.

Touched by Walter’s generosity, Tarek, a talented musician in his own right, insists on teaching Walter to play the African drum. This shared love of music deepens their friendship, with the differences in culture, age and temperament falling away.

But when Tarek is arrested for being an undocumented resident and held for deportation, Walter is spurred into action, taking up his friend’s cause with a passion he thought was long gone. When Tarek’s beautiful mother, Mouna (Hiam Abbass, The Nativity Story, Munich), arrives in search of her son, Walter’s personal commitment develops into an unlikely – and unexpected – romance.
Drama

Snap poll

Will you see The Visitor?

33% of people who rated this movie are planning to watch it.

67% of people have indicated they do not plan to see this movie.

Watched it? Share Your Rating!

Top Cast

The lead cast starring in The Visitor.

Crew Behind the Film

The The Visitor behind-the-scenes crew and production team.

The film's director Tom McCarthy last directed Stillwater and Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. The film's writer Tom McCarthy last wrote Stillwater and Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made.

Screenwriter
Production Companies

Production Details

What we know about the The Visitor movie production.

Production Updates for The Visitor

Completed

Changed The Visitor movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

Have updates about The Visitor? We'd love to hear from you!

Submit update

Additional Information

Parent Rating
PG-13 Parents Strongly Cautioned for brief strong language
Runtime
1 hr, 48 m
Tagline
Connection is everything.
Also known as
Not available
Language
English

All Trailers

Watch official The Visitor movie trailers and clips.

Thumbnail for The Visitor
Drama
The Visitor

Theatrical Trailer

Release Dates

When was the film released?

The Visitor was released in on Friday, April 11, 2008. There were 7 other movies released on the same date, including Street Kings, Prom Night and Young@Heart.

Movie Theaters

Stream Now

On DVD, Blu-ray / 4K

Buy/Rent on Digital (Ultra HD)



Questions

Ask question

Looking for more information on The Visitor?

Official Page and Social Links

Across the Web

Follow the Updates
  • Added the tagline: "Connection is everything."

  • Added the Blu-ray release date of October 7, 2008

  • Added a synopsis

New Movie Trailer

Last Bullet
Official Trailer

Netflix Originals has unveiled the official trailer for Last Bullet. Watch it now!

ADVERTISEMENT

More to Explore

Find and discover more on Movie Insider.

30-Day Free Trial

Watch thousands of movies 24/7 on Amazon Prime.

Go now
Production Listings

Find and discover movies filming now.

Go now