Visiting Hours

Visiting Hours is a psychological horror film directed by Jean-Claude Lord and released in 1982. The movie stars Michael Ironside, Lee Grant, and Linda Purl in the lead roles.

The movie opens with the murder of a popular feminist journalist named Deborah Ballin, played by Lee Grant. The killer is a psychopath named Colt Hawker, played by Michael Ironside, who has been stalking and harassing her for some time. After the brutal murder, Colt is caught and sent to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation.

At the hospital, he is placed under the care of Nurse Sheila Munroe, played by Linda Purl, who is assigned to monitor and take care of him. But Colt's obsession with Deborah does not end with her death, and he soon becomes fixated on Sheila in her place. He starts to direct his violent and twisted tendencies towards her, initially through phone calls and letters, but soon escalating to a full-fledged attack.

As the movie progresses, we see Colt's obsession with Sheila grow more and more intense, culminating in a terrifying sequence of events that involves a break-in at her apartment, an attack on her friend and colleague, and a final confrontation between Colt and Sheila in the hospital where he is being held.

Visiting Hours is an intense and suspenseful film that offers a chilling glimpse into the mind of a psychopath. It delves into themes of misogyny and violence against women, particularly in the context of feminist activism and journalism, which was a heated topic in the 1980s.

The performances in the film are excellent, particularly those of Michael Ironside and Lee Grant. Ironside brings a sense of menace and unpredictability to his portrayal of Colt, and his scenes with Grant are some of the most memorable in the film. Grant, in turn, delivers a powerful performance as Deborah, a strong-willed and passionate journalist who refuses to back down in the face of threats and intimidation.

Linda Purl is also solid in her role as Sheila, balancing vulnerability and strength as she confronts Colt and fights to protect herself and those around her. She is a sympathetic and relatable protagonist, and her chemistry with Ironside is electric, adding to the tension and suspense of their scenes together.

The film's direction and cinematography are also noteworthy, with the use of shadows, lighting, and camera angles creating a tense and foreboding atmosphere that adds to the creepiness of Colt's character. The score, composed by Jonathan Goldsmith, is also effective in creating a sense of dread and unease.

Overall, Visiting Hours is a well-crafted and nail-biting thriller that is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats. Its exploration of violence against women and the psychology of obsession is still relevant today, making it a timeless horror classic.