The Visit

The Visit

Year: 1964

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Bernhard Wicki

DramaIntense violence and sexual transgressionGripping intense violent crimeShow All…

Carla Zachanassian, who bore Serge Miller’s child as a teenager, was expelled when he refused to marry her. Years later she returns to the town as a wealthy magnate, expecting a warm welcome. The townspeople roll out the red carpet, expecting her riches to bring prosperity, only to discover that her sole intention is to see Serge Miller killed.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Visit (1964)

Trace every key event in The Visit (1964) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Karla's past: pregnancy and trial

Twenty years earlier, Karla grew up in the village and became pregnant by Serge Miller when she was 17. At Serge's trial, he denies paternity and bribes two men to testify they slept with Karla, destroying her credibility. The town brands her as an outsider and she is forced to flee.

20 years ago local court and village streets
2

Karla is driven out of town

Her exile is sealed as the townspeople shun her, branding her as the town's shame. She vanishes from the center of village life, leaving behind a stain on the community's memory.

20 years ago village outskirts
3

Karla returns to the village

Karla returns to the village as a wealthy benefactor, welcomed with curiosity and guarded hope. The old town anticipates a windfall, while jealousy and fear simmer beneath polite smiles. Her arrival marks the start of a chilling moral reckoning for the townspeople.

present day village and hotel
4

Karla offers money on one condition

At a reception in her honor, Karla offers to fund the town with 2,000,000 dollars, split between the town and its people, on one condition: Serge must be put to death. The proposal unsettles the crowd, who weigh money against violence and the price of a life. Karla watches from her hotel, gleefully savoring the power she wields.

present day reception hall and Karla's hotel
5

Town tests Serge's shop on credit

Pushed by the prospect of money, the townspeople begin to demand expensive items from Serge's shop on credit. Serge struggles to manage the rapidly growing debt and the unease of defying Karla's terms. The scene foreshadows how quickly greed overrides justice.

present day Serge's shop and town streets
6

Karla floods the town with luxury on credit

Karla floods the town with luxury goods—televisions, furniture, and designer clothes—and offers them on credit with no down payment. The spectacle seduces residents who imagine a better life funded by others’ money. Her calculated generosity tightens the town's dependence on her wealth.

present day town marketplace and shops
7

Anya becomes Karla's confidante

Karla befriends Anya, a naïve young woman involved with the much older, married chief of police. Karla sees a reflection of her younger self and begins to manipulate Anya to influence local power. Anya's vulnerability makes her a pivotal pawn in Karla’s plan.

present day Anya's circle and town
8

Serge seeks help from corrupt officials

Serge appeals to the mayor and chief of police for protection, but they have already been seduced by Karla's offer and become complicit in the scheme. He realizes too late that he has traded credibility for survival. The town leadership blurs the line between law and loyalty to money.

present day town hall and offices
9

Panther escape and lynch mob

When Karla's pet panther escapes, the town descends into a frenzied search that quickly turns into a lynch mob targeting Serge. Even Serge's wife withdraws her support, revealing how quickly personal bonds crumble under greed. The mob's fury feels righteous to them, but it is driven by money rather than justice.

present day town outskirts and streets
10

Council reinstates death penalty

The town council, which had expelled Serge, reinstates the death penalty and organizes a kangaroo court in the town square. The ritualized trial enshrines the crowd's collective guilt and redefines law by the mob's appetite for punishment. Serge is given the option to die by suicide, which he rejects.

present day town square
11

Serge is found guilty and sentenced

In a formal judgment, Serge is found guilty and sentenced to death, cementing the crowd's readiness to sacrifice life for money. The courtroom-like atmosphere contrasts with the lawlessness of the mob's impulse. The episode underscores how wealth has corrupted justice.

present day town square and kangaroo court
12

Karla reveals the price of greed

Karla immediately hands over two one-million-dollar cheques to the cheering crowd, presenting a stark calculus: money wins, murder secures profit. Yet she stages a reversal, stopping the execution and warning the town that they will live with guilt for the rest of their days. She also makes clear that Miller will bear the burden of his wife's scheming and complicity.

present day town square
13

Karla's moral statement and departure

Karla halts the execution with a moral rebuke, forcing the townspeople to confront the consequences of their actions. She declares that the crime will haunt them forever, and that Miller must bear the burden of knowing his wife and neighbors were willing to kill for wealth. After this confrontation, she begins to leave the town, ending the scheme on her own terms.

present day town square and roads
14

Anya's escape funded by Karla

Before departing, Karla gives Anya enough money and a car of her own to escape the fate that awaits her in the town. Anya's future is spared from the cycle of corruption that consumed others in Karla's wake. Karla's final act serves as both mercy and warning.

present day Anya's home and outskirts

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:46

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Unlock the Full Story of The Visit

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Visit in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Visit is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Visit Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Visit, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Visit Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Visit

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Visit

More About The Visit

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More About The Visit

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