The Surprise Visit (2022): What is the True Story Behind the Film?
As ‘The Surprise Visit’ unfolds, Annabelle and Casey grapple with their drug addiction, realizing the need for a fresh start as they anticipate becoming parents. Faced with financial challenges, the couple decides to overcome their substance abuse, driven by a desperate desire to provide a stable and nurturing environment for their unborn child. In a twist of fate, Casey discovers that Mrs. Dixon, his father’s employer, will be out of town for the weekend.
Faced with financial struggles and a desire for a fresh start, Casey proposes a risky plan to Annabelle—to commit a robbery as their final act of desperation. They intend to secure enough resources to embark on a new life for their unborn child, steering away from the challenges of their current circumstances. Directed by Nick Lyon, the story of the 2022 movie explores the lengths people go to when pushed to the brink and delves into the moral and ethical complexities surrounding their choices.
The Surprise Visit is Inspired by Real Events
The writers of ‘The Surprise Visit,’ Nathan Cowles, Andrew Fein, and Serah Henesey, drew inspiration from a true story connected to Serah Henesey’s husband, Nathan Cowles’ family homestead, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tale reportedly revolves around the previous owner, also named Mrs. Dixon, who, after being widowed, left her property to visit her sister for the weekend. During her absence, the housekeeper, Eric Roberts, unknowingly shared the information with her drug-addicted son and his girlfriend about the vacant house.
Learning of their pregnancy, the couple attempted to rob the residence. However, the unexpected arrival of Mrs. Dixon’s daughter and son-in-law on the same night led to their apprehension, mirroring the film’s theme of desperate actions with unexpected consequences. ‘The Surprise Visit’ masterfully captures the raw and unforgiving realities of addiction, providing an unfiltered glimpse into the tumultuous lives of individuals ensnared in the clutches of substance abuse and economic hardship.
With a keen eye for authenticity, the film explores the complex relationship between addiction and poverty, exposing the vulnerabilities that drive individuals to make desperate and often misguided decisions. Annabelle and Casey’s journey becomes a reflection point for the societal challenges surrounding substance abuse, shedding light on the relentless cycle of struggle and the profound consequences it inflicts upon those entangled in its grip. Drug addiction in the country remains a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities across the nation.
The country grapples with a multifaceted crisis involving a range of substances, from opioids and stimulants to marijuana and alcohol. Contributing factors to the epidemic include the widespread availability of prescription painkillers, socioeconomic disparities, mental health challenges, and a lack of comprehensive addiction treatment resources. One of how the problem of addiction manifests itself is through a rise in criminal activities, and the movie has been able to bring this conversation to the forefront.
The film draws a significant dose of reality from its carefully chosen shooting locations. Much of the filming took place in a secluded area on the outskirts of Virginia, providing the actors and the creative team with an immersive environment. This isolation mirrored the experiences of the characters in the movie, creating not only a captivating cinematographic journey that enhances the horror elements but also an authenticity that resonates with the script and the overall backdrop of the film. The deliberate selection of these locations contributes to the film’s ability to evoke a genuine sense of despair and desperation.
Director Nick Lyon and actor Serah Henesey acknowledge the deliberate Hollywoodization of the true story that served as the inspiration for their film’s universe. While certain elements, such as character names, have been altered, and fictionalized events have been introduced in the latter part of the narrative, the makers proclaim that the movie successfully maintains a sense of believability. Despite these creative liberties, the film remains an entertaining watch, blending reality and fiction to craft a film that entertains the audience.
Read More: Best Movies About Drugs on Netflix
SPONSORED LINKS
- Movie Explainers
- TV Explainers
- About The Cinemaholic
Is The Surprise Visit a true story? The movie’s connection to true crime
- by Kate Marin
- – on Nov 27, 2023
- in Film
The Surprise Visit tells the story of a desperate couple who break into a mansion intending to make away with as much as they can. Aware that the owner has left town, they do not expect any resistance. However, the couple, young drug addicts, are unaware of a visit by the owner’s relatives.
The Surprise Visit is based on a true break-in attempt on the home of the co-writer’s husband
The Surprise Visit is loosely based on a true crime. Serah Henesey, one of the film’s writers, based the narrative on a break-in attempt at her husband’s family’s home. However, the movie’s creators embellished the story to make it more entertaining.
RELATED ARTICLES
Is run based on a true story real life cases similar to the film’s story, is atlanta 10.0 a true story the thriller’s real life inspirations, is bosco a true story quawntay adam’s daring prison escape, is ‘kemba’ a true story kemba smith’s tragic and inspirational life.
- Rent or buy
- Categories Categories
- Getting Started
The Surprise Visit
Customers also watched.
Cast and Crew
950 global ratings
How are ratings calculated? Toggle Expand Toggle Expand
- Amazon Newsletter
- About Amazon
- Accessibility
- Sustainability
- Press Center
- Investor Relations
- Amazon Devices
- Amazon Science
- Start Selling with Amazon
- Sell apps on Amazon
- Supply to Amazon
- Protect & Build Your Brand
- Become an Affiliate
- Become a Delivery Driver
- Start a Package Delivery Business
- Advertise Your Products
- Self-Publish with Us
- Host an Amazon Hub
- › See More Ways to Make Money
- Amazon Visa
- Amazon Store Card
- Amazon Secured Card
- Amazon Business Card
- Shop with Points
- Credit Card Marketplace
- Reload Your Balance
- Amazon Currency Converter
- Your Account
- Your Orders
- Shipping Rates & Policies
- Amazon Prime
- Returns & Replacements
- Manage Your Content and Devices
- Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
- Conditions of Use
- Privacy Notice
- Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
- Your Ads Privacy Choices
Tricia Hawn in True Story Robbery Thriller 'The Surprise Visit' Trailer
by Alex Billington January 10, 2022 Source: YouTube
"We have to do this now!" Vertical Ent. has released an official trailer for The Surprise Visit , a "based on a true story" robbery thriller from filmmaker Nick Lyon. This is arriving on VOD in a few weeks if anyone is curious. A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable and kill. "The film is an American tragedy. I chose to tell The Surprise Visit in a gritty and realistic style that was complemented by deep and intense performances from the talented cast. Beyond the film's thriller veneer, it [also] delivers incredibly dramatic performances, that to this day still send chills through me," the director states. Starring Eric Roberts , Tricia Hawn , Rob Riordan , Jacqi Vene , and Serah Henesey . This looks pretty bad, and the shoddy performances seen here aren't helping much either.
Here's the official trailer (+ new poster) for Nick Lyon's The Surprise Visit , direct from YouTube :
When a young couple makes a surprise visit to Mom, they get an even bigger surprise themselves from an old family friend who plans to steal Mom’s valuable jewelry while she is out of town. But when the "easy peasy" robbery goes wrong, resulting in the accidental death of the daughter’s husband, it forces the two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision; to abandon ship, or do the unthinkable. The Surprise Visit is directed by American indie filmmaker Nick Lyon , director of many films including Fallen Angels , Rise of the Zombies , Bullet , Hercules Reborn , Isle of the Dead , The Boy the Dog and the Clown , and The Rebels of PT-218 . The screenplay is by Stephen Meier, from a story by Serah Henesey and Nathan Cowles. Vertical opens The Surprise Visit in select US theaters + on VOD starting January 14th, 2022 . Who's interested?
Find more posts: Indies , To Watch , Trailer
I guess the first bad choice they made is making this film...
shiboleth on Jan 10, 2022
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Here is Alex's new account on Bluesky :
Add our posts to your Feedly : click here
Your Privacy Manager
LATEST TO WATCH
▶ Full IMAX Preview for 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' Online Now ( Apr 1 ) ▶ New Re-Release Trailer for Lee Chang-Dong's 'Oasis' Film from 2002 ( Apr 1 ) ▶ China's Crazy Remake of Giant Snake Movie 'Anaconda' Official Trailer ( Mar 31 ) ▶ Freaky Trailer for Netflix's 'Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp' Movie ( Mar 31 ) ▶ Another Behind-the-Scenes Look at Alex Garland's 'Civil War' Movie ( Mar 29 )
Want emails instead? Subscribe to our daily newsletter updates:
© 2006-2024 First Showing® LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Letterboxd ➚ | Bookshop ➚ | Support Us ➚
- Jewish Community Directory
- Writers & Photographers
- San Diego County Jewish Calendar
There is a Jewish story everywhere!
‘The Surprise Visit’ Embellishes a True-Life Scary Story
By Eva Trieger
SOLANA BEACH, California — While some surprises are good and welcome, others, not so much. In this horror/thriller based on a real story, The Surprise Visit relates the story of an unplanned visit gone horribly awry. The story has factual historic roots, but co-producer, and actress, Serah Henessey told me that she and husband, Nathan Cowles, “Hollywoodized” it. I was very happy to hear that as the film disturbed me very much and I was relieved to know that it was embellished and not a precise re-enactment.
Henessey has a fascinating and varied history in the entertainment business. She was born in Sydney, Australia, and trained in ballet until the age of 16. She also lived in Turkey where she expanded her repertoire by acting in a sitcom for four years that outperformed “Friends” in America! This dancer/actor/ producer also does her own stunts and indulges in kick-boxing!
In a delightful phone interview, I became acquainted with Serah. She shared that her first theatrical role was in The Epic of Gilgamesh . Since that time she has done film and theater. Her theater experiences are especially interesting, spanning virtually all genres, from action, sitcom, drama, horror, and comedy.
Recently Henessey has been seen in Saw franchise films, directed by Darren Bousman. These immersive films were done in downtown Los Angeles and were interactive. Audiences and actors fed off each other, creating a “mind-blowing” experience. Henessey has performed in Saw II through Spiral.
The actress told me that she loves doing period pieces and especially enjoys roles that require her to step back into the 17th-century era. She is a devotee of Shakespearean works and also loves performing plays from this time
The Surprise Visit is the embellishment of a break-in that went awry on Henessey’s husband’s family’s homestead. A previous owner, Mrs.Dixon, recently widowed, had decided to visit a sister for the weekend. Her groundskeeper (Erc Roberts) somehow shared this information with his son, a drug addict. The son and his girlfriend, who recently discovered they were pregnant, figured that they would rob the home in the absence of the owner to get some capital. They did not anticipate the surprise visit of Mrs. Dixon’s daughter and son-in-law.
The film depicts the desperation of the young couple of addicts and the fear and desperation of Mrs. Dixon’s daughter. All of the characters are sympathetic and the viewer experiences the fear, desperation, and will to survive on the part of each character. While Juliet has grown up with means, a loving family, and privilege, she also just lost her father and watched the murder of her husband. The young addicts have no material goods, but a future and a baby on the way. The groundskeeper loves his son, Casey, but cannot condone his actions. The emotional roller coaster is inescapable.
One very interesting thing to note is that this film was made during the pandemic and Serah Henessey told me that they did not want to expose countless people to the virus, so the cast and crew were working overtime. As she observed the first day on the set as a producer, not as an actor, she felt great pride and gratitude to everyone who gave their all. Henessey cried, kvelling and humbled by the efforts of everyone. She saw the blood, sweat, and tears they put into their efforts and she knew a “joyful kind of exhaustion.” The film is definitely worth seeing and encourages viewer to consider his own moral compass and guideposts.
Click here for the trailer: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgzGllMLLkDDtDppxGZjgdjPGPlzp?projector=1
The film will be available after January 14, 2022.
* Eva Trieger is a Solana Beach-based freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via [email protected]
Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes
Trouble logging in?
By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .
By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .
By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.
Email not verified
Let's keep in touch.
Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:
- Upcoming Movies and TV shows
- Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
- Media News + More
By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.
OK, got it!
Movies / TV
No results found.
- What's the Tomatometer®?
- Login/signup
Movies in theaters
- Opening this week
- Top box office
- Coming soon to theaters
- Certified fresh movies
Movies at home
- Netflix streaming
- Prime Video
- Most popular streaming movies
- What to Watch New
Certified fresh picks
- Love Lies Bleeding Link to Love Lies Bleeding
- Problemista Link to Problemista
- Late Night with the Devil Link to Late Night with the Devil
New TV Tonight
- Mary & George: Season 1
- Star Trek: Discovery: Season 5
- Sugar: Season 1
- American Horror Story: Season 12
- Parish: Season 1
- Ripley: Season 1
- Loot: Season 2
- Lopez vs Lopez: Season 2
- The Magic Prank Show With Justin Willman: Season 1
Most Popular TV on RT
- 3 Body Problem: Season 1
- A Gentleman in Moscow: Season 1
- We Were the Lucky Ones: Season 1
- Shōgun: Season 1
- The Gentlemen: Season 1
- Palm Royale: Season 1
- X-Men '97: Season 1
- Manhunt: Season 1
- Testament: The Story of Moses: Season 1
- Best TV Shows
- Most Popular TV
- TV & Streaming News
Certified fresh pick
- Steve! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces Link to Steve! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces
- All-Time Lists
- Binge Guide
- Comics on TV
- Five Favorite Films
- Video Interviews
- Weekend Box Office
- Weekly Ketchup
- What to Watch
Best Horror Movies of 2024 Ranked – New Scary Movies to Watch
30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming
Women’s History
Awards Tour
The Rotten Tomatoes Channel: Watch on Samsung, Roku, And More
The Visibility Dilemma
- Trending on RT
- Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire
- 3 Body Problem
- Play Movie Trivia
The Surprise Visit
2022, Mystery & thriller, 1h 26m
Where to watch The Surprise Visit
Watch The Surprise Visit with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Apple TV, Vudu, or buy on Apple TV, Vudu.
Rate And Review
Super Reviewer
Rate this movie
Oof, that was Rotten.
Meh, it passed the time.
It’s good – I’d recommend it.
So Fresh: Absolute Must See!
What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Step 2 of 2
How did you buy your ticket?
Let's get your review verified..
AMCTheatres.com or AMC App New
Cinemark Coming Soon
We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
Regal Coming Soon
Theater box office or somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
The surprise visit videos, the surprise visit photos.
A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable.
Genre: Mystery & thriller
Original Language: English
Director: Nick Lyon
Producer: Serah Henesey , Nick Lyon
Writer: Stephen Meier
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 14, 2022 limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2022
Runtime: 1h 26m
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Production Co: Hoodoo Productions
Cast & Crew
Eric Roberts
Serah Henesey
Regan Ferrier
Tricia Hawn
Rob Riordan
Johnny Santiago
Stephen Meier
Screenwriter
Nathan Cowles
Executive Producer
Cinematographer
Victoria Lowry
Production Design
Wilfree Vasquez
Costume Designer
Daisy Flynn
Critic Reviews for The Surprise Visit
Audience reviews for the surprise visit.
There are no featured audience reviews for The Surprise Visit at this time.
Movie & TV guides
Play Daily Tomato Movie Trivia
Discover What to Watch
Rotten Tomatoes Podcasts
- Rankings FA
- TV Premiere Calendar
- Coming in 2024
- Latest Reviews
- Oscars™ New
The Surprise Visit
- Credits
- Trailers [1]
- Image gallery [1]
All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders and/or producers/distributors.
- Rob Riordan
- Serah Henesey
- Tricia Hawn
- Johnny Santiago
- Regan Ferrier
- See all credits
All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.
User history
[Movie Review] THE SURPRISE VISIT
- January 12, 2022 January 12, 2022
- DarkSkyLady
THE SURPRISE VISIT , a thriller/drama with a story by Nathan Cowles, Andrew Fein, and Serah Henesey and directed by Nick Lyon, follows a young, poor couple who commit a robbery that soon spirals downward, and they must decide whether to give up or commit another crime. The film stars Jacqi Vene and Rob Riordan as the robbing couple Annabelle and Casey, with Eric Roberts as Casey’s father, Hugh. Rounding out the cast is Serah Henesey and Johnny Santiago as married couple Juliette and Daniel, who are as shocked to see the robbers as the robbers are that someone’s home. Despite some drag, particularly during all the running scenes, which are annoying, THE SURPRISE VISIT did hold my attention, and by the end, I had flashes of True Romance , just not as good.
Annabelle and Casey are drug addicts, but when Annabelle realizes she is pregnant, they promise to give up drugs for the sake of their child. So Casey visits his father, Hugh, to ask for money, but of course, this is not Casey’s first time asking for money, so Hugh shuts him down. As most do when pleading does not give them what they want, Casey berates his father as a lowly gardener of a wealthy older woman, Mrs. Dixon, played by Tricia Hawn. Yet, after leaving, Hugh asks his boss to hire his son to earn money, and she agrees.
Unfortunately, Casey does not know this. He decides to rob Mrs. Dixon’s house since he knows she left to care for a friend, but he is clueless that Mrs. Dixon’s daughter, Juliette, arrived for a surprise visit with her husband Daniel in tow. At that point, their simple robbery goes up in smoke. THE SURPRISE VISIT is based on a true story, and there is a definite class divide among the white cast. The film also looks at how addiction deteriorates the character of a person. Casey keeps making poor decisions driven by his addiction and desperation to provide for his girlfriend and unborn child.
The acting in THE SURPRISE VISIT is not great, but it does the job. Rob Riordan does a great job as a man torn between the need to protect and provide for his family and enslaved by the vise-grip of addiction. The Jekyll/Hyde transformation of an addict is similar to that of an abuser; one moment loving, threatening the next and Rob Riordan demonstrates that. Jacqi Vene’s acting gives Annabelle a sympathetic feel because she wants them both to get clean and do better for their child, and she has faith in Casey. Serah Henesey’s performance did not capture my attention as much, perhaps because she’s running through most of the film.
THE SURPRISE VISIT may not have a star-studded cast and massive budget, but it works well under its financial constraints. The one part that dragged was all the scenes of running. I get it, this is a chase, but too many of these scenes began pulling the film down. However, I was invested in the story and curious to see how it ended. I also want to know which parts were accurate and artistic license for dramatic flair. The ending surprised me—a rarity these days as too many films are both formulaic and predictable. In that, THE SURPRISE VISIT outshines some blockbusters.
THE SURPRISE VISIT arrives in theaters and On Demand on January 14, 2022.
- Recent Posts
- [Movie Review] HELL HOUSE LLC ORIGINS: THE CARMICHAEL MANOR - October 25, 2023
- [SXSW Review] SATAN WANTS YOU - March 11, 2023
- [Article] 5 Anticipated Horror Films of SXSW 2023 - March 6, 2023
Related Posts
[Movie Review] THANKSGIVING (2023)
[FilmQuest 2023 Short Film Review] THE PERFECT PLACE TO CRY
[FilmQuest Fest 2023 Review] HOW TO KILL MONSTERS
[FilmQuest 2023 Short Film Review] MY SCARY INDIAN WEDDING
[FilmQuest Fest 2023 Review] THE DEEP DARK
7 thoughts on “ [movie review] the surprise visit ”.
The ending was terrible. Two things here no witness, so the gardener is dead, then how would they know so much about the pass. Which couldn’t make it a true movie.. Or, he lived and the gardener told the police of the pass
I’m still SHOCKED true story. Like 1 viewer said, you were free but decided to go back. No offense, but why, noone was back there to save I always think the same about true movies, who told it, how they know so much when wasn’t there
A very stupid movie, I am truly at a loss of words, I guess the only thing I thought about the movie was how much cassey looked like Ernest T Bass on the Andy griffith show!!!
Horrible story line and poor acting . Even Eric Roberts was bad . I regret wasting my hour and a half watching this garbage
Great movie because this is reality and anyone that doesn’t realize this is out of touch with what’s going on in America.
I guess I’m out of touch, it SUCKED. I read reviews & fast fowarded
Great retort!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Nightmarish Conjurings WordPress Theme : By Sparkle WP
Insert/edit link
Enter the destination URL
Or link to existing content
The Surprise Visit (2022)
Though The Surprise Visit is hoping it can bank some interest on the fact that it’s “Based on a true story”, the fact that there’s no history attached to such a statement leaves Nick Lyon’s occasional thriller in the company of many other genre flicks that advertise similar sentiments in their best bid to add intrigue to an otherwise standard narrative.
The film centres itself around junkies and expecting parents Casey (Rob Riordan) and Annabelle (Jacqi Vene) who, upon learning of their impending parenthood, decide to give up their drug habits and make a play for the straight and narrow. It all sounds so reasonable, but this duo don’t exactly seem like the types to execute such a cookie cutter plan without resorting to some type of crime – especially Casey – so we are unsurprised when he hatches a plan to rob a neighbouring home in order to make a quick buck.
The neighbouring home being both occupied by residents who knew Casey as a young boy, as well as being the employ of his father (Eric Roberts) means there’s some emotional stakes tied to Casey’s decision, but, sadly, The Surprise Visit not adhering to any type of nuance or subtlety means we ultimately have little care for what happens to either party. Casey is just a terrible person, and no amount of emphasis on his drug habit is going to convince us otherwise. Annabelle is the most shrill of characters, and though she’s clearly heavily under the influence of both Casey and whatever substance she favours, there’s no emotional connection or understanding of her for us to care. And the victims here – Juliette (Serah Henesy) and Daniel (Johnny Santiago) – have little development that the only reason we muster any investment in them is that they simply aren’t Casey and Annabelle.
Ultimately, it’s only Roberts’ Hugh that we stand behind. The idea that he would have to choose between his son – and, by extension, his grandson – and the household that has treated him so kindly over the years is one that screenwriter Stephen Meier and story artists Henesy and Nathan Cowles don’t utilise to its full potential. Setting The Surprise Visit in the realms of the home invasion thriller makes sense, but even then it fails to deliver on any thrills or elaborate set-pieces, with so much of the brief 86 minute running time devoted to Casey and Annabelle bickering about how they navigate the situation they’ve found themselves in.
Whilst the film may have its share of unsavoury ingredients, director Lyons at least deserves props for working within such limited budget restraints and for wrapping the story up in a manner that I suspect most studio projects wouldn’t have opted for. Had some of the acting been more fine-tuned and a little more development been afforded to the characters, The Surprise Visit could have done enough to earn itself a welcome reception, but, as it stands, this is a houseguest best turned away.
The Surprise Visit is now screening in select theatres across the United States. An Australian release is yet to be determined.
Share this:
Related Posts
Zola (2020)
I, Tonya (2018)
1 comment . leave new.
Badly written, especially the end
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Notify me of new posts by email.
Post Comment
Recent Posts
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Bob Marley: One Love (2024)
Oppenheimer (2023)
The Flash (2023)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Email Address
Address 123 Main Street New York, NY 10001
Hours Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM–3:00PM
About This Site
This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits.
Home > The Surprise Visit Ending Explained
The Surprise Visit Ending Explained
- UPDATED: November 23, 2023
Table of Contents
“The Surprise Visit,” a suspense thriller directed by Nick Lyon, opens with a scene of a terrified woman in pajamas fleeing through the woods, setting the tone for a film that explores themes of desperation, class difference, and the consequences of actions taken in extremis. The story revolves around Annabelle and Casey, a couple expecting a child, struggling with meth addiction and financial hardship. In a bid to alleviate their financial woes, Casey overhears his boss, Mrs. Dixon, mentioning she will be away for the weekend. Seeing an opportunity, Casey plans to rob her house, knowing she possesses valuable jewelry.
However, the plot takes a turn when Mrs. Dixon’s daughter, Juliette, and her husband, Daniel, decide to make a surprise visit to the Dixon residence, coinciding with Casey’s planned robbery. The situation escalates when Casey kills Daniel, forcing Juliette to attempt an escape to avoid a similar fate. This twist propels the film into its final act, a chase through the woods, as Juliette tries to flee her pursuers.
The film’s narrative attempts to blend elements of a home invasion thriller with a critique of social issues, particularly income inequality and the circumstances that drive people to desperate acts. However, the portrayal of the central characters as drug addicts seems to undermine the intended message about poverty and income inequality in America, inadvertently reinforcing negative stereotypes about the poor.
Despite its aspirations to delve into deeper themes, “The Surprise Visit” ultimately falls short in its execution. Critics have noted that the film, while presenting a somewhat interesting twist on the home invasion genre, fails to fully engage with its characters, leading to a lack of emotional depth. The ending, in particular, has been critiqued for its ambiguity and the seemingly random and rash decision made by Annabelle, which is followed by an upbeat celebration. This conclusion leaves the audience uncertain about how to feel towards the characters, particularly Annabelle, and reflects a disjointed narrative approach.
Overall, “The Surprise Visit” aims to be a gripping thriller that touches upon issues of desperation and social inequality but struggles to balance its thematic ambitions with effective storytelling. The film’s portrayal of its characters and their motivations, coupled with a plot that treads familiar territory, results in a movie that is more suited to a casual viewing rather than a profound cinematic experience.
RELATED TOPICS:
- the surprise visit ending explained
Related articles you'll love:
The Boy and the Heron Ending Explained
Dark Harbor Movie (2019) Ending Explained
The Night Crew (2015) Movie Ending Explained
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane Ending Explained
Asteroid City Ending Explained
The Best Years of Our Lives Ending Explained
Latest articles, jeremy allen white – all you need to know, da’vine joy randolph – all you need to know, oscars 2024 winners, the mandalorian & grogu – all you need to know.
Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.
Ad Blocker Enabled!
The Surprise Visit (2022)
Streaming in:
We checked for updates on 251 streaming services on March 31, 2024 at 11:06:11 PM. Something wrong? Let us know!
The Surprise Visit streaming: where to watch online?
Currently you are able to watch "The Surprise Visit" streaming on Amazon Prime Video or for free with ads on Tubi TV. It is also possible to rent "The Surprise Visit" on Amazon Video, Vudu, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube online and to download it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu.
When a young couple makes a surprise visit to Mom, they get an even bigger surprise themselves from an old family friend who plans to steal Mom’s valuable jewelry while she is out of town. But when the “easy peasy” robbery goes wrong, resulting in the accidental death of the daughter’s husband, it forces the two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to abandon ship, or do the unthinkable.
Videos: Trailers, Teasers, Featurettes
Production country
People who liked the surprise visit also liked.
Popular movies coming soon
Similar Movies you can watch for free
More popular Movies directed by Nick Lyon
In Theaters and Digital
The surprise visit - movie review.
Sometimes there just isn’t an easy way out of a really bad situation.
Go ahead and get those happy thoughts out of your head. The Surprise Visit is not based on a happy occasion. Not at all. This is a film full of many twists and violent turns as a routine robbery goes tits up and someone is murdered. The fallout is drastic and unexpected, making this film a bit more interesting than the usual home invasion thriller.
Starring Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts, Dopestick ’s Tricia Hawn, Rob Riordan, Jacqi Vene and Serah Henesey , director Nick Lyon ’s intense, gritty and suspenseful thriller begins when two strung-out drug addicts find out that they are going to be having a baby. Uh oh.
That’s not the SURPRISE at the center of this jewel heist, though.
Annabelle ( Jaqui Vene ) and Casey ( Rob Riordan ) are trapped in their own personal hell of drug addiction. They are currently living in a busted up Winnebego under a bridge somewhere near Middleton, Virginia and are struggling to pay their phone bill. Money has never been much of a concern for them as long as there are drugs to be consumed, it seems. Somehow, they make it work.
But, with the sudden revelation that Annabelle is pregnant, they are both going to have to change their ways. Can Casey do it?
At least that is the hope as he goes out in search of another chance or, depending on your viewpoint of his situation, another sucker to squeeze. This hope is captured elegantly in the sweeping cinematography from Nate Haban. Don’t worry, though. When it is time for the film to go dark and desperate, Haban’s lens is there to ratchet up the tension. This is edge of your seat entertainment, after all, as attempts to get ahold of some jewelry goes sideways.
Based on a true story, The Surprise Visit takes a bit of a turn when Juliette ( Serah Henesy ), the rich woman’s daughter, takes her husband along with her to surprise her mother with a visit at the ranch the same weekend Casey plans to rob it.
Except, as we have learned, Juliette’s mother isn’t there . . . which means the house that Casey and Annabelle want to rob WILL be inhabited. I think you can see where this home invasion thriller is headed. Blood will be had and, as accidental as it is, there will be stark consequences raining down in response to the events happening. They will be swift and they will be final.
But what will it mean for Casey and the life he had at the opening of the movie?
Stephen Meier ’s adaptation, based on a story by Nathan Cowles and Serah Henesy , is both shocking and starkly realized due to the talent assembled. Full of solid performances from the cast, The Surprise Visit is definitely a shocker, keeping us on our toes. White the film doesn’t do anything new with the sub-genre, it definitely delivers when it comes to SHOCK and AWE as a chase through the woods ends rather unexpectedly and twists the sharp-edged truth like a knife into our own guts.
The Surprise Visit premieres in theaters and on demand January 14 from Vertical Entertainment .
MPAA Rating: unrated. Runtime: 86 mins Director : Nick Lyon Writer: Stephen Meier Cast: Eric Roberts; Jacqi Vene; Serah Henesey Genre : Thriller Tagline: Based on a True Story. Memorable Movie Quote: Distributor: Vertical Entertainment Official Site: Release Date: January 14, 2022 DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: Synopsis : When a young couple makes a surprise visit to Mom, they get an even bigger surprise themselves from an old family friend who plans to steal Mom’s valuable jewelry while she is out of town. But when the“easy peasy” robbery goes wrong, resulting in the accidental death of the daughter’s husband, it forces the two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision; to abandon ship, or do the unthinkable.
New in Theaters/VOD
New on Home Video
- Trailer Watch - Strange Meteorite Unleashes an Alien Invasion in New Trailer for RISEN
- Trailer Watch - Things Get Super Creepy in New Trailer for STALKER
- Room 203 - Movie Review
- The Voices - Movie Review
- Portal - Movie Review
Movie Trailers
- Trailer Watch: DINOSAUR
- Trailer Watch: BLOODLINE KILLER
- Trailer Watch: KIM'S VIDEO
- Trailer Watch - RADIOACTIVE: THE WOMEN OF THREE MILE ISLAND
- Trailer Watch - HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA
BADass B-Movies
Movie Reviews
Morbidly Hollywood
- Colorado Street Suicide Bridge
- Death of a Princess - The Story of Grace Kelly's Fatal Car Crash
- Joaquin Phoenix 911 Call - River Phoenix - Viper Room
- Screen Legend Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
- Suicide and the Hollywood Sign - The Girl Who Jumped from the Hollywood Sign
- The Amityville Horror House
- The Black Dahlia Murder - The Death of Elizabeth Short
- The Death of Actress Jane Russell
- The Death of Brandon Lee
- The Death of Chris Farley
- The Death of Dominique Dunne
- The Death of George Reeves - the Original Superman
The Surprise Visit
By Benjamin Franz | December 20, 2021
When a film claims to be “based on a true story,” unless there’s a primary document we can refer to, it’s very hard to know what is an actual event and what has been contrived to develop drama for the narrative’s benefit. Case in point is The Surprise Visit , directed by Nick Lyon. This, by far, is the most interesting question concerning the film. Stephen Meier’s adaptation, based on a story by Nathan Cowles and Serah Henesy, presents the challenge of figuring out what in this scenario is real and what is not.
Juliette (Serah Henesy) plans to surprise her mother with a visit this weekend. When she arrives, Juliette learns from her mother’s gardener, Hugh ( Eric Roberts ), that her mother has left town to care for her aunt. Nevertheless, Juliette and her husband still choose to stay the weekend in her mother’s empty mansion. For me, this is the first moment the film enters the uncanny; I know of no one who would stay in their parent’s home without their expressed permission. This frankly odd decision leads to the traumatic events which unfold.
Converging as an equally rude surprise is Hugh’s son Casey (Rob Riordan) and his wife Annabelle (Jaqui Vene). They are junkies, expecting their first child, and Casey has decided the best way to secure a future for his wife and nascent child is to rob his father’s employer. They plan to take a cachet of jewelry. As can be expected, none of this goes according to plan.
“… junkies, expecting their first child …plan to take a cachet of jewelry.”
The Surprise Visit culminates in a climactic and deadly game of hide and seek. Throughout this thriller, the cinematography by Nate Haban is spectacular. He captures the pastoral beauty of Middleton, Virginia, very effectively. This film’s action is very easy to follow, from a series of crane shots to smooth and non-shaky handheld camera work. This keeps audiences on edge the entire time.
Nick Lyon does a superb job directing the woodland chaos. A veteran of television series and movies, his directorial eye and hand are very clear in execution. I very much enjoyed the sense that literally anything could happen at any given moment. The cast wonderfully expresses the terror and stress that are inherent in this situation.
Riordan’s Casey and Henesey’s Juliette are the driving forces of the story. The terrible violence would not be possible without their strong and determined personalities clashing at this very unexpected and surprising turn of events. Their combined acting made the action strongly believable. The acts of brutality and accidental murder present in The Surprise Visit seemed the bad decisions of a junkie looking to escape a poor situation without witnesses. Juliette, conversely, is simply trying to survive. She made a bad call deciding to surprise her mother. Now, she must attempt to get out alive.
I would suggest if one wants to watch a violent spectacle set in pastoral Virginia, then The Surprise Visit is for you. Seek it out at your local art-house. It should be worth the visit.
The Surprise Visit ()
Directed: Nick Lyon
Written: Stephen Meier
Starring: Serah Henesey, Jaqui Vene, Rob Riordan, Eric Roberts, etc.
Movie score: 7/10
"…Lyon does a superb job..."
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Hey isn’t Eric Roberts having a hard enough time. He has to take a rolls like this I feel bad for the guy. He used to be a big cokehead. But then again who cares
Should not be allowed to say a movie is true when it isn’t. To me it’s just a plot to try and get people to watch the movie and u must be concerned that no one would watch it otherwise u would not have lied. Shame on you.
Did the girl kill Casey’s dad at the end?
[…] and daughter-in-law (Jacqi Vene), both junkies, decide to take advantage of by robbing the place. Film Threat cites the “spectacular” location cinematography, and straightforward plot, which culminates in […]
Moving at a snail's pace, burdened by a mood so heavy it squashes everything under its weight, Nick Frangione's Buck Run, while competently pieced...
Wanton Want
Writer-director Joston Theney's Wanton Want is a bit slow to start. Struggling author Douglas (Nicholas Brendon) and his wife, Veronica (Jackie Moore),...
Blonde. Purple
Blonde. Purple is in a subgenre of film of which I shall never grow tired: the bank-heist-gone-wrong thriller. I love them, from the top-tier flicks such...
Join our Film Threat Newsletter
- Cast & crew
- User reviews
The Surprise Visit
A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable. A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable. A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable.
- Nathan Cowles
- Andrew Fein
- Serah Henesey
- Regan Ferrier
- Tricia Hawn
- 54 User reviews
- 11 Critic reviews
- 6 wins & 2 nominations
- (as Jacqi Vene)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Did you know
- Connections Referenced in Half in the Bag: Snow Falls (2023) (2023)
- Soundtracks Little Left of My Heart written by Nathan Cowles performed by Derick Hughes
Technical specs
- Runtime 1 hour 26 minutes
Related news
Contribute to this page.
- See more gaps
- Learn more about contributing
More to explore
Recently viewed
The Surprise Visit (2022) Cast and Crew
Movie Recommendations
Featured News
Movie Reviews
Follow Moviefone
Movie trailers.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The Surprise Visit is Inspired by Real Events. The writers of 'The Surprise Visit,' Nathan Cowles, Andrew Fein, and Serah Henesey, drew inspiration from a true story connected to Serah Henesey's husband, Nathan Cowles' family homestead, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tale reportedly revolves around the previous owner ...
The Surprise Visit is based on a true break-in attempt on the home of the co-writer's husband. The Surprise Visit is loosely based on a true crime. Serah Henesey, one of the film's writers, based the narrative on a break-in attempt at her husband's family's home. However, the movie's creators embellished the story to make it more ...
Based on a true story, The Surprise Visit is an intense, gritty and suspenseful thriller about a botched robbery, which leaves one person dead, and the other running for her life. 950 IMDb 4.4 1 h 26 min 2022. X-Ray 16+. Suspense · Gritty · Serious.
Unlike those two, however, The Surprise Visit is meant to be a suspense thriller rather than an action film. I love that The Surprise Visit is based on a true story that explores the themes of class difference and how desperation can make people do things that they might not otherwise do. The film is an American tragedy.
The Surprise Visit was a Limited release in 2022 on Friday, January 14, 2022. There were 15 other movies released on the same date, including Scream, Shattered and Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. As a Limited release, The Surprise Visit will only be shown in select movie theaters across major markets.
The Surprise Visit is directed by American indie filmmaker Nick Lyon, director of many films including Fallen Angels, Rise of the Zombies, Bullet, Hercules Reborn, Isle of the Dead, The Boy the ...
December 18, 2021. By Eva Trieger. Eva Trieger. SOLANA BEACH, California — While some surprises are good and welcome, others, not so much. In this horror/thriller based on a real story, The ...
Movie Info. A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable. Genre: Mystery & thriller. Original Language: English. Director ...
A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable. When a young couple makes a surprise visit to Mom, they get an even bigger surprise themselves from an old family friend who plans to steal Mom's valuable jewelry while she is out of town.
Permalink. "The Surprise Visit" looked like a film school project shot in a country estate in a single take. The narrative features the tawdry action of a drug addict seeking to rob a home for jewelry in order to take care of his pregnant wife. Fan favorite Eric Roberts, a national treasure, plays the father Hugh, who berates his son when he ...
The Surprise Visit is a film directed by Nick Lyon with Eric Roberts, Rob Riordan, Jacqi Vene, Serah Henesey .... Year: 2022. Original title: The Surprise Visit. Synopsis: A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable.You can watch The Surprise Visit through flatrate on the platforms: Amazon Prime Video
THE SURPRISE VISIT is based on a true story, and there is a definite class divide among the white cast. The film also looks at how addiction deteriorates the character of a person. Casey keeps making poor decisions driven by his addiction and desperation to provide for his girlfriend and unborn child. The acting in THE SURPRISE VISIT is not ...
The film centres itself around junkies and expecting parents Casey (Rob Riordan) and Annabelle (Jacqi Vene) who, upon learning of their impending parenthood, decide to give up their drug habits and make a play for the straight and narrow. It all sounds so reasonable, but this duo don't exactly seem like the types to execute such a cookie ...
Table of Contents. "The Surprise Visit," a suspense thriller directed by Nick Lyon, opens with a scene of a terrified woman in pajamas fleeing through the woods, setting the tone for a film that explores themes of desperation, class difference, and the consequences of actions taken in extremis. The story revolves around Annabelle and Casey ...
When a young couple makes a surprise visit to Mom, they get an even bigger surprise themselves from an old family friend who plans to steal Mom's valuable jewelry while she is out of town. But when the "easy peasy" robbery goes wrong, resulting in the accidental death of the daughter's husband, it forces the two young drug addicts to ...
Go ahead and get those happy thoughts out of your head. The Surprise Visit is not based on a happy occasion. Not at all. This is a film full of many twists and violent turns as a routine robbery goes tits up and someone is murdered. The fallout is drastic and unexpected, making this film a bit more interesting than the usual home invasion thriller.
The Surprise Visit culminates in a climactic and deadly game of hide and seek. Throughout this thriller, the cinematography by Nate Haban is spectacular. He captures the pastoral beauty of Middleton, Virginia, very effectively. This film's action is very easy to follow, from a series of crane shots to smooth and non-shaky handheld camera work.
This is one bad hombre.🔥 Buy or rent the movie NOW https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B009HEJXFS📢 Don't miss this video https://www.youtube.com/p...
TV-MA. Thriller · Crime · Mystery. In this thriller based on a true story, two young drug addicts' botched robbery leads to a nightmarish situation for both them and the victims. Subtitles: English. Starring: Eric Roberts Jacqi Vene Serah Henesey Rob Riordan. Directed by: Nick Lyon.
The Surprise Visit: Directed by Nick Lyon. With Regan Ferrier, Tricia Hawn, Serah Henesey, Rob Riordan. A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable.
Meet the talented cast and crew behind 'The Surprise Visit' on Moviefone. Explore detailed bios, filmographies, and the creative team's insights. Dive into the heart of this movie through its ...
Yes, "The Surprise Visit" is based on a true story. The robbery thriller, directed by filmmaker Nick Lyon, unfolds a real-life incident. The movie captures the intensity of events with the statement, "We have to do this now!" Article continues below advertisement. The implication is that the film is inspired by actual events, adding a layer of ...