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The Visitor (1979) movie poster

Plot Summary

The Visitor (1979) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
1979 · 109 mins · English
Directed by
Giulio Paradisi
Starring
Franco Nero, John Huston, Sam Peckinpah, Mel Ferrer, Shelley Winters, Lance Henriksen

They know we are here… An ancient intergalactic warrior arrives on Earth to put a stop to a demonic child’s plot to reproduce Satan’s next generation of evil.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 What happens: full plot
  2. 2 Plot questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like The Visitor
  5. 5 Every angle

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in The Visitor: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of The Visitor (1979) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

In an enigmatic, alien landscape, Jerzy Colsowicz, John Huston experiences a vision of a powerful, destructive storm born from a young human girl, delivered by Jesus Christ, Franco Nero, who speaks to his disciples about an ancient, interstellar conflict between Zatteen and his benevolent arch-rival Yahweh. Zatteen, an evil force with immense psychic powers, escaped to Earth centuries ago; though Yahweh eventually tracked him down and killed him, his spirit lingers in the minds of humanity, waiting for a chance to reemerge. The figure explains that Zatteen fathered dozens of children with human women, and that these descendants still populate the world.

Back on Earth, the drama centers on a professional basketball game at The Omni in Atlanta. Ray­mond Armstead, Lance Henriksen the new owner whose wealth remains shrouded, sits courtside and pledges victory at any cost, hinting that his money comes “from God.” He is part of a secret circle of Satanists who want Zatteen's resurgence. His associate Dr. Walker, Mel Ferrer, reminds him that Barbara Collins is a crucial conduit to distill Zatteen’s powers into a corporeal form. Barbara Collins, Joanne Nail, is a central figure in the plan, and her 8-year-old daughter Katy Collins, Paige Conner, already displays frightening psychokinetic abilities, a trait the Satanists seek to weaponize. Katy’s powers begin to influence events, helping Raymond’s team clinch victories on the court.

Colsowicz, a figure with powers akin to Katy’s, is dispatched to Earth by the Christ-like guide, accompanied by a small retinue of apostles. He observes Katy from a distance and soon becomes acquainted with Barbara’s new maid, Jane Phillips, Shelley Winters, who senses the lurking malice in Katy—an intuition born from having once borne a child with similar abilities. As Katy grows bolder, she uses her gifts to advance the Satanists’ goals, triggering a string of fatal accidents that target their enemies. Barbara is accidentally paralyzed by a gunshot wound, leaving her wheelchair-bound and vulnerable.

Detective Jake Durham, Glenn Ford, investigates the spate of deaths, but his pursuit is cut short when he is killed in a car accident engineered by the Satanists. The situation escalates: Raymond cannot seduce Barbara, so the circle escalates to more violent methods. Barbara becomes pregnant again, but her ex, Dr. Sam Collins, Sam Peckinpah, intervenes and arranges an abortion. When Barbara returns home, she is assaulted by Raymond and Katy, who attempt to finish her off by tying a wire around her neck and pushing her down the stairs in her chairlift. At the crucial moment, Colsowicz intervenes and calls forth an army of doves to thwart Katy and strike down Raymond. The next day, the remaining Satanists are found dead at their round table, a grim aftermath attributed to Colsowicz’s intervention.

Colsowicz returns to the Christ-like figure and presents Katy, who is now bald and seemingly cleansed of her malice. The film closes on a quiet, hopeful note, with Katy smiling and embracing the envoy, who reinforces the message that children are not to be harmed.

Last updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:33

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Plot questions answered

The Visitor Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about The Visitor (1979): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why do the Satanists need Barbara Collins to resurrect Zatteen?

The Satanists need Barbara Collins because she is the mother of Katy Collins, who inherited psychokinetic powers from Zatteen. Dr. Walker explains that Barbara serves as a crucial conduit to distill Zatteen's spiritual powers into a physical form. Through Katy, the dormant evil can be channeled and resurrected into the world, which is why the Satanists closely monitor and manipulate Barbara throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the Christ-like figure explains that Zatteen fathered children with human women centuries ago, establishing that descendants carry his essence.

  • barbara collins
  • satanists
  • katy
  • zatteen
  • resurrection
  • conduit
  • psychokinetic powers
Q2

What is the cosmic conflict between Zatteen and Yahweh?

Zatteen is an evil interstellar force with immense psychic powers who escaped to Earth centuries ago. Yahweh, his benevolent arch-rival, eventually tracked him down and killed him, but Zatteen's spirit lingers in human minds, waiting for a chance to return. The Christ-like figure describes this as an ancient interstellar conflict, with Zatteen's descendants now populating Earth as carriers of his dormant evil.

Foreshadowing: The opening vision establishes this cosmic war, setting up the stakes of good versus evil that drives the entire narrative.

  • zatteen
  • yahweh
  • cosmic conflict
  • evil
  • spirit
  • interstellar
  • descendants
Q3

How does Katy Collins' psychokinetic power manifest in the film?

Katy displays frightening psychokinetic abilities that she uses throughout the film. During basketball games at The Omni, she subtly influences the ball to help Raymond's team win. As her powers grow bolder, she triggers fatal accidents targeting the Satanists' enemies, including the deaths that Detective Durham investigates. Her powers are hereditary, passed down from her father Zatteen through the bloodline.

Foreshadowing: Jane Phillips senses the malice in Katy because she once bore a child with similar abilities, hinting at the supernatural nature of Katy's powers.

  • katy collins
  • psychokinetic powers
  • basketball
  • accidents
  • supernatural abilities
Q4

Why does Colsowicz intervene to save Barbara from Raymond and Katy?

Colsowicz is sent by the Christ-like figure specifically to stop Zatteen's resurgence and protect the innocent. When Raymond and Katy attempt to kill Barbara by wiring her neck and pushing her down the chairlift stairs, Colsowicz intervenes as part of his mission to prevent the Satanists from completing their ritual. He summons an army of doves to thwart Katy and strike down Raymond, preventing the evil scheme from succeeding.

Foreshadowing: Colsowicz was dispatched to Earth precisely to observe Katy and prevent the Satanists' plans, making his intervention the climax of his mission.

  • colsowicz
  • barbara
  • rescue
  • doves
  • katy
  • raymond
  • intervention
Q5

What happens to Detective Jake Durham and why was he killed?

Detective Jake Durham investigates the string of fatal accidents caused by Katy's powers. As he gets closer to uncovering the truth about the Satanists' activities, they manipulate events to kill him in a car accident. His death removes a key obstacle to their plans and demonstrates the lengths the cult will go to protect their scheme to resurrect Zatteen.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early that the Satanists will eliminate anyone who threatens their objectives, as seen in the fatal accidents targeting their enemies.

  • detective jake durham
  • investigation
  • killed
  • car accident
  • satanists
Q6

Why does Dr. Sam Collins arrange an abortion for Barbara?

Barbara becomes pregnant, and her ex-husband Dr. Sam Collins (Katy's biological father) arranges the abortion. This decision is driven by fear that another child could carry Zatteen's evil legacy. The Satanists also wanted Barbara to bear another child as part of their ritual to strengthen Zatteen's return, making the abortion a desperate attempt to prevent further involvement in their plans.

Foreshadowing: The earlier prophecy mentioned that Zatteen fathered dozens of children with human women, establishing the concern about passing down his evil bloodline.

  • barbara pregnancy
  • abortion
  • dr sam collins
  • zatteen bloodline
  • descendents
Q7

How are the basketball games at The Omni connected to the Satanists' plot?

Raymond Armstead, a Satanist, owns the basketball team and uses the games as a cover for his activities. During games, Katy uses her psychokinetic powers to influence the outcome, helping Raymond's team win. This serves a dual purpose: proving Katy's growing powers and providing Raymond with wins that increase his status and further the Satanists' agenda.

Foreshadowing: Raymond claims his wealth comes from God, hinting at his true allegiances and the supernatural nature of his success.

  • omni
  • basketball
  • raymond armstead
  • katy powers
  • games
  • satanists
Q8

What does the ending signify about Katy's transformation?

At the end, Colsowicz brings Katy to the Christ-like figure, where she appears bald but cleansed of her malice. She smiles and embraces Colsowicz, and the figure emphasizes that children must not be harmed. This suggests Katy has been redeemed and freed from Zatteen's influence, though the closing narration notes that Zatteen's spirit still lingers in human minds, leaving the possibility of future threats.

Foreshadowing: The cosmic prophecy established that Zatteen's spirit waits in human minds, making Katy's cleansing a temporary victory in an ongoing battle.

  • katy ending
  • cleansed
  • bald
  • redemption
  • christ-like figure
  • hope
  • children protected
Q9

Why does Jane Phillips sense the evil in Katy?

Jane Phillips, Barbara's new maid, senses the lurking malice in Katy because she once bore a child with similar psychokinetic abilities. This personal experience gives her intuition about supernatural evil that others lack. Her awareness adds tension to the household and provides an early warning about Katy's true nature, even though she cannot fully understand or stop the events unfolding.

Foreshadowing: Jane's past experience mirrors the film's central theme of inherited supernatural abilities, connecting her character to the broader mythology of Zatteen's descendants.

  • jane phillips
  • intuition
  • evil
  • katy
  • psychic abilities
  • past child
Q10

What happens to the remaining Satanists after Raymond's death?

After Colsowicz kills Raymond and thwarts the attempt on Barbara's life, the remaining Satanists are found dead the next day at their round table. Their deaths are attributed to Colsowicz's intervention, suggesting he eliminated the entire cult in a single operation. This collapses the conspiracy and ends the immediate threat of Zatteen's resurrection.

Foreshadowing: The round table symbolism suggests a ritualistic setting, and Colsowicz's role as a cosmic warrior sent to defeat Zatteen's followers makes his decisive action against the entire circle consistent with his mission.

  • satanists dead
  • round table
  • cult collapsed
  • raymond
  • colsowicz
  • eliminated
Q11

How does Barbara become paralyzed and what role does it play?

Barbara becomes paralyzed by a gunshot wound, leaving her wheelchair-bound. This injury occurs during the escalating violence surrounding the Satanists' activities. Her paralysis makes her vulnerable and dependent, which the Satanists exploit as they attempt to manipulate her for their ritual. The injury also removes Barbara as an obstacle to their plans while keeping her alive as a potential conduit.

Foreshadowing: The Satanists need Barbara alive as a conduit for Zatteen's powers, so her paralysis serves their purposes while also weakening her ability to protect Katy.

  • barbara paralyzed
  • gunshot
  • wheelchair
  • vulnerability
  • satanists exploit
Q12

Who is Jerzy Colsowicz and what is his mission on Earth?

Jerzy Colsowicz is a figure with psychokinetic powers similar to Katy's, sent to Earth by a Christ-like figure. He arrives with a small retinue of disciples to observe Katy's powers and prevent Zatteen's resurrection. Throughout the film, he watches from a distance, interacts with Jane Phillips, and ultimately intervenes to stop the Satanists and save Katy from corruption.

Foreshadowing: The opening vision establishes Colsowicz as a key player in the cosmic conflict, sent to counter Zatteen's influence on Earth.

  • jerzy colsowicz
  • mission
  • christ-like figure
  • disciples
  • katy
  • 阻止邪惡

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Visitor, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Visitor tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Cosmic Horror Battles like in The Visitor

Movies where supernatural forces wage war for the fate of our world. If you liked the high-stakes supernatural war in The Visitor, you'll find similar movies here. These stories feature epic confrontations between good and evil, often involving satanic cults, ancient entities, and psychic powers, all set against a backdrop of impending doom.

  • apocalyptic
  • sinister
  • cosmic
  • oppressive
  • supernatural
  • chilling
  • Tone: dark, apocalyptic, redemptive
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a clear, high-stakes conflict where a powerful evil entity or cult seeks to bring about an apocalypse, and a dedicated force—be it a warrior, priest, or group—must rise to stop it. The journey is dark and perilous, but typically culminates in a definitive, often redemptive, battle.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a grand-scale, supernatural conflict. They combine a dark, oppressive tone with high intensity and a steady, methodical build towards a final confrontation, creating a cohesive experience of spiritual warfare.

Gothic Supernatural Horror like The Visitor

Eerie, atmospheric horror where light ultimately conquers a pervasive darkness. Discover movies that share The Visitor's gothic, eerie atmosphere and its journey from overwhelming darkness to a hopeful resolution. These films are perfect for viewers who enjoy terrifying supernatural stories that ultimately offer a sense of redemption and closure.

  • eerie
  • gothic
  • sinister
  • oppressive
  • chilling
  • redemptive
  • Tone: dark, eerie, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories begin by establishing a pervasive, almost suffocating sense of supernatural evil, often through possession, hauntings, or cults. The characters endure a heavy emotional and physical trial, but the plot arc is ultimately redemptive, concluding with the cleansing or defeat of the evil force.

Why they belong together: They are united by a specific mood mix: a dark, gothic, and oppressive atmosphere paired with a narrative structure that allows for a hopeful or happy ending. This creates a unique emotional arc from deep dread to profound relief.

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Movies Like The Visitor

Similar movies to The Visitor: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The Visitor (1979) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Visitor in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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