Potentially trend-setting horror film The Visit returns to the streaming top ten

Image via Universal

Horror adheres so religiously to trends, tropes, and clichés that it’s like the genre’s own way of archiving its history. The ’80s saw franchise slashers, the ’90s saw a rise in indie horror, the ’00s with found footage, and then the late 2010s and early 2020s with a bizarre one: creepy old people. Yes, it’s absolutely a trope that defines the modern era.

One of the first movies that really got the creepy old people going was M. Night Shyamalans The visit, and it’s now back to spook streaming audiences as the director sees his latest theatrical release. His new thriller A knock on the cabin is currently in theaters, so it must be the perfect time to relive this 2015 release.

Thanks to its availability on HBO Max, it somehow returns to the top ten charts in 20 countries. You might remember the film for some of its more ridiculous moments. The film follows a brother and sister as they travel to visit their estranged grandparents, with clues that all is not well at the grandmother’s house. The visit is shot using both conventional techniques and the occasional use of found footage.

Again, what’s really interesting is how the scary old folks trope has brought it back from the brink after a 20-year absence. Since The visitPeople like Mia Goth XAlex Garlands Menand other horror newcomers Hereditary And barbarian have all thoroughly enjoyed their use of the trope.

Like every other Shyamalan film, it also features a pretty terrifying storyline that apparently was only made because the audience would have expected it. As well as The villageit’s spongy and adds little to the film – perhaps even detracting from its overall quality.

Still, you don’t want a Shyamalan movie without a silly twist to easily annoy you.