Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- oppressive
- disturbing
- bleak
- late night horror marathon
- cult film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a clumsy, implausible, and exploitative slasher whose purported concern with violence against women is undermined by its graphic treatment of that violence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Deborah Ballin is targeted by a misogynistic killer after advocating for a battered woman, while the film depicts her ordeal through graphic slasher conventions.
Colt Hawker is a homicidal psychotic who openly despises women and selects Deborah as his intended victim.
The Canadian production combines a slasher premise, R-rated brutality, and exploitation-market sensibility.
The plot places the threatened journalist within a hospital environment as Hawker continues his terror campaign.
Films like Visiting Hours, and why
The Town That Dreaded Sundown
shared slasher structure, stalking menace, and violent gender politics
When a Stranger Calls
shared home-invasion suspense, sadistic killer, and female victimization
Maniac
shared serial-killer horror, bleak tone, and exploitation-era violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean-Claude Lord
- Release Date
- 1982-05-21
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (121)
Cast
- Michael Ironside
- Lee Grant
- Linda Purl
- William Shatner
- Lenore Zann
- Harvey Atkin
- Michael J. Reynolds
- Kirsten Bishop
- Neil Affleck
- Walker Boone
Common questions
- What is Visiting Hours about?
- A crusading television journalist becomes the target of a misogynistic killer determined to transform personal revenge into a sadistic spectacle.
- What is Visiting Hours like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Visiting Hours as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Visiting Hours violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Visiting Hours as graphic.
- What did critics think of Visiting Hours?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a clumsy, implausible, and exploitative slasher whose purported concern with violence against women is undermined by its graphic treatment of that violence.
- Which films are like Visiting Hours?
- Films with a similar feel include The Town That Dreaded Sundown, When a Stranger Calls, and Maniac.
- How long is Visiting Hours?
- Visiting Hours runs 105 minutes.
