20 Horror Movies Nobody Expected To Be Good

There was a time when M. Night Shyamalan was one of the biggest names in Hollywood. After his breakout success with The Sixth Sense, hits like Unbreakable and Signs further cemented his place as an incredible storyteller. 

However, the filmmaker's reputation for intelligent twists and gripping narratives took a hit after a string of critical blunders, beginning with the infamously terrible eco-thriller The Happening. When trailers for The Visit were released, it was easy to think that this would be another disaster. In a surprising twist of its own, this 2015 found footage horror marked a turning point in Shyamalan's career.

The plot centres on siblings Becca and Tyler as they visit their estranged grandparents for the first time. The trip starts as a charming family reunion, baking cookies and sharing stories. However, events take a sinister turn after the children notice their grandparents' strange nighttime behaviour.

Although Shyamalan's idiosyncrasies are on full display, his peculiar characters lend a darkly comedic tone to the movie's events. The tension gradually escalates throughout the week-long visit before erupting in a riotous final act.

Concluding on a bittersweet note about family, The Visit was exponentially better than anyone expected it to be.