"The Visit' delivers fear that lingers after lights come up

Why do we go to the movies? More particularly, why do we go to horror movies? Fear is as undesirable an emotion as, say, grief or loathing. The answer is simple. Movies evoke emotions. They stir in us a range of feelings in an environment where it's OK to close your eyes, and where you know that it will be over in short time. There is also the fact that it's not real. Scary movies just do it for some people, and others can't seem to stand them.

I've often said the hardest films to do well are sci-fi and horror, and M. Night Shyamalan has resurrected from a dismal sci-fi attempt ("After EarthGÇ¥) to brazenly take on what he does best ' horror.

It's hard to believe it's been 16 years since the release of the sensational "The Sixth Sense,GÇ¥ which was an absolute horror juggernaut, in terms of both critical and consumer success. Well, after a string of less impressive fair ("SignsGÇ¥ and "The VillageGÇ¥ were fun), Shyamalan's back with an original horror film, written and directed with his trademark quirk and a few upgrades.

Siblings Becca and Tyler are sent by their single mother to rural Pennsylvania (Shyamalan's stomping grounds for all his films) to spend a week with her estranged parents. Things go fine until the geriatric couple begin exhibiting odd behavior. The upgrade on Shyamalan's technique is that the film is done in the trendy found-footage style, with aspiring documentary filmmaker Becca providing events recorded through her trusty camcorder. Many of the more pivotal moments are shown in the trailers (unfortunately).

Keeping with tradition, Shyamalan hides a twist until just before the end, and maybe the massive anticipation made it a bit disappointing, but his imprint reverberates through the aftermath. Shyamalan is a cerebral thriller tactician through and through. I'm coining a term here: post-dated fear, meaning while the events in the film aren't particularly remarkable, he forces you to reflect on what could have happened with hindsight, and if you knew then what you know now, the film is absolutely frightening.

This is what sets "The VisitGÇ¥ apart from every M. Night film, except for "The Sixth Sense.GÇ¥ His others held twists, some clever ("Signs,GÇ¥ "The VillageGÇ¥), some a bit ridiculous ("Unbreakable,GÇ¥ "Lady in the WaterGÇ¥), but on the drive home after "The Visit,GÇ¥ I literally shuddered.

Maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing, but I suppose that's my job. If a particular scene or jump moment sticks with you, then that makes the writer or director happy ' job well done. But it's rare that the whole premise of a film sticks with you, and that's what Shyamalan accomplished. It's his rare talent, which I sincerely hope remains in his wheelhouse.

The casting was great. The elderly couple, Nana (Deanna Dugan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie), deliver chilling performances in what must have taken an excruciating number of takes, and the kids, Becca (Olivia DeJong) and Tyler (Ed Oxenbould), are convincing as siblings with their witty banter and chemistry. A bit too precocious perhaps, but acceptable.

With a paltry $5 million budget, this is a surefire box-office smash. It's a fun time, if you like to see scary movies, but it won't win any Oscars. Pay attention and enjoy the fear factor that follows the film's end. 7/10.