Horror Short Film "The Visit" | ALTER

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A pregnant woman and her husband visit her aging grandmother in the rural mountains of Taiwan only to witness the older woman's disappearance through the will of a malevolent mountain spirit.
"The Visit" by Roxy Shih
#ALTER #horror #shortfilm
Connect with the Filmmakers:
www.roxyshih.com/
/ roxyshih
/ roxyshih88
www.twohornygoats.com/
More About "The Visit":
Driven career woman Yi-Hua visits her aging grandmother, Nai Nai, at the old family farm. Pregnant and with her American-born husband in tow. Disappointed in Yi-Hua's dedication to her new life in the city and uninterested in the trappings of modern existence, Nai Nai storms off in a fit of rage into the thick forested mountains surrounding her home.
When she doesn't return at nightfall, Yi-Hua is tormented and heartbroken by the potential loss of the woman who raised her. Nai Nai miraculously returns days later, unharmed, but Yi-Hua worries that there may be more to her grandmother's absence than meets the eye.
"The Visit" Credits:
Written and Directed by Roxy Shih
Starring: Felicity Huang, George Young, with Yin-Shang Liu
Produced by Theresa Chiu
Executive Producer: Julia Tsai
Cinematography by Sheldon Chau
Music by Li Dai Guo
Edited by Evita Yuepu Zhou
Sound Design by Michael Capuano
Post Production Sound Facility - Icemen Audio
Colorist: Robert Crosby
About ALTER:
ALTER is an ever-expanding platform for the most daring storytellers in the world of horror. We are a home, community and launching pad for our filmmakers. Slip into the dark, disturbing corners of cutting-edge horror.
Filmmakers should visit filmfreeway.com/alterdustsubm... to submit your horror shorts. (Only completed horror shorts will be considered. Unsolicited scripts or pitches will be immediately deleted without review.)
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About Gunpowder + Sky:
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Video Title
/ watchalter

[@roxyshih660]

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to have THE VISIT premiere publicly on ALTER. This film is very personal to me - it was made at a time when I considered shifting careers and was missing my home and family a lot. I hope that many of you will resonate with this as we deal with our aging elders.. it meant the world that I was able to go back and shoot in Taiwan. Please enjoy and I'll answer as many questions as I can :)

[@daspitty5872]

I love how the story can work in two ways. There might be supernatural things going on, but it might just be an old woman suffering from dementia which can be just as terrifying as an evil spirit.

[@carledwards9477]

No questions, but I would like to say this was amazing. The acting was so good and the story was put together really well. Thank you for sharing!

[@sarazulqernain3470]

Pls explain it to me. It was great tho, but I'm dumb lol. Was that woman imaginary? Or what ? .. Love from Pakistan❤

[@k3study44]

Who was the woman at the end?

[@patient666zero]

@@k3study44 Xiao Fei

[@ryanxvx]

Crazy how these shorts are consistently better than major horror films.

[@Lifeishort17]

You said it shorts, , ..A short film can get to the point quicker, limited time frame so have to get to the point quicker nothing more, or special...

[@MrsCrandon]

Agree 100%

[@NguyenQuang-tm3ou]

Bruh it’s a short film,bet it could do as 50% as good as other horror film if they did this full length,I’m getting bored of comments like these lmao,just give them a normal compliment

[@jamesmccoysr.3595]

FACTS!!!

[@bluefirekin]

Wow, I loved this. Superb acting from the grandma especially. The whole vibe was chilling and very CREEPY! Thank you!

[@roxyshih660]

She was 85 when she shot this! Such a badass and the my parents watched her on black and white tv growing up in Taiwan. It was incredibly surreal.

[@CGP_Films92]

This was really well done, and I was totally engrossed in the atmosphere the entire time. What frustrates me though is it ends once the story gets going. Maybe this is a sort of “proof of concept” type thing for a long form version, but I only feel like there’s half a story here without a climax. I just wish more short films - more specifically horror shorts - would tell a complete story and not always end on a cliffhanger. While I loved this short, I wish it was longer. I’d totally watch a longer version of it and get closure to the story.

[@justinwilliams7608]

Sophia is having a boy.she..is pregnant

[@taffetajackson3770]

The way I see it is that this really wasn't a cliffhanger. It is the "friend" visiting her again which makes her go missing for days at a time.

[@pjsparkle1843]

I kinda agree. Once it ended I felt like I didn't get it all...tbh

[@TessaLCastro1216]

The acting was excellent. Rverything from atmosphere to the emotional elements, were extremely authentic. It made me feel like I was right there with them in this situation. Well Done, Roxy.

[@roxyshih660]

Thank you so much Tessa! 🥰

[@dahlia700]

My interpretation: The bride must have been someone the grandmother knew in her past. The grandmother when young, really did make those visits when the bride confessed she didn't want to get married to the man who was 20 years older than her. For whatever reason, the grandmother continued to make those visits, kind of stuck in a timeline and because of her ageing and other ailments doesn't realize that her friend is actually a ghost. But why did I say a ghost and not an imaginary friend? Because Hungry Ghosts are known to have an insatiable hunger for feces. This is why when the grandmother visits, she eats those dumplings, she relives the story over and over again, she imagines them being dumplings because just like the bride and her house, the grandmother sees what the Ghost makes her see, so she sees dumplings when in reality they are feces. The ghost as well doesn't really realize how bad that is for the grandmother because it's just how the way the Ghost bride sees things. The ghost maybe even imagines that she's doing the right thing, that's why the visit with the dumplings at the end, bringing dumplings to the grandmother because she's in bed sick.

[@cometmoon]

I like your interpretation the best; makes me less confused about the story line.

[@joan8862]

Except the grandmother wasn't in bed sick. She had just come in from working in the fields with her granddaughter just before this woman shows up.

[@Arcticninja123]

maybe shes a plant and needs animal doo doo to grow faster

[@kelconway5792]

The scenery is beautiful. I love atmospheric films that are mysterious and kind of scary without violence, gore and nudity. Thank you! I was thinking about Alzheimers and how sad that is but then when the visit happened at the end....oooo creepy! Loved this!

[@roxyshih660]

Thank you so much! For me world building is everything.

[@dawnatkinson7704]

You should check out ROH and The Medium. Creepy and atmospheric, but also absolutely beautifully shot with breathtaking cinematography.

[@justinperry13]

Yes! I agree completely (except for the nudity. You can keep that in)

[@yaelfeder9042]

Yes!

[@SF-fb6lv]

What's wrong with nudity? Often the camera trying to avoid nudity is a lot weirder than just showing it.

[@brianpan6453]

I enjoyed this very much but I don't think any loving husband would leave his pregnant wife with ANYONE, much less an aging grandmother, who they were told by a medical doctor that this person had eaten animal feces for the previous week in order to survive.

[@MahooroSebuguzi-ow1uo]

😂😂😂😂😂oh my

[@brazilianambassadordale8223]

"There's nothing actually wrong with your grandma, but see the thing is that the only thing she ate this past week was animal feces" Bruh what kinda doctor...

[@atimidbirb]

Every grandma ever: ´Eat some more´

[@Melcor2304]

The entity might be based off a taiwanese mythical creature called the Moxina/Mô-sîn-á/魔神仔. It is a creature known for spiriting away children and the elderly into the mountains of Taiwan.

[@Dragonscale87]

loved this. i appreciate how you can feel the tension between traditional and modernized taiwan not only between the grandmother and her granddaughter but between the husband and wife as well. you can tell just through context clues how he does not speak much mandarin/have relatives that have lived rurally and the stress it causes between them.

[@madnessbydesign1415]

I usually feel like the end of a short is the end, and it should be judged by just what it is. This one got me, though. I found myself really wanting more (in a good way). The whole production was done really well, and I know how hard shooting in the rain can be. Kudos to all involved! :)

[@johannahunderwood4596]

This is a great film! I love that the tension appears to be about cultural contrasts between traditional and modern ways of life, city vs rural, young vs old, even the difference between the grandmother growing her own food, and her son in law saying he will go buy groceries. The rain sets the mood. I was thinking that the grandmother had gone missing on purpose just to spite them for wanting to live her life, but we then are led to believe that perhaps dementia was the problem. The doctor them gives us this horrible news that all she had eaten was faeces. The title misleads us into believing we know what the "visit" is, but the true horror is what is about to happen when the cameras have stopped rolling, leaving the young woman to her fate. For me, this is one of the best shorts I have seen on this channel and I hope that we will see a lot more from the team that produced it. Well done!

[@mamagjewgj3970]

i agree! i've watched them all...and this one is definitely one of my favorites. so terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time.

[@Witchofthewoods.]

I love Nai Nai ❤️ she reminds me of my grandma, God rest her soul. Great film. I loved the atmosphere of everything. The 🌧️☔ rain especially.

[@TimeForDunston]

Did you hear the part where she ate nothing but animal feces all week?

[@Rari1022]

Ugh just when the visitor arrived it ended! I need to know more. This was so good but left me wanting a conclusion.

[@Samy-qx5vz]

I couldn't understand the ending I'm totally lost , can you please explain it in a few words ??

[@atlasone8369]

No cheap jumpscares Just really well done atmosferic Best grandma acting And the weird-creepy xiao fei This are best short I really like it too much

[@lorddalhousie9384]

I have been watching all episodes....the quality of the video....the story....just alter .... perfect place for horror short films💪⚡❤️

[@observationsfromthefencepo7207]

This was both a beautiful and eerie film. The locations were chosen well and are part of the story. The acting was realistic and I felt the characters feelings. Here is my interpretation. It initially appears that Grandma has an early onset dementia. The loss of time, resistance to technology, not eating, and not able to explain injury lean towards that diagnosis. Yet the tone of the story and the music and soundscape background keeps us thinking their is something more. That final shot is riveting and leans to a supernatural angle, likely a malevolant ghost. On a realism note, this reminds us of the importance of taking care of the elderly. The creation of the Silver Alert System was so crucial to quick response of a missing elderly person. Much research needs to continue into dementia. Everyone involved in this should be proud. Your film looks great, addresses a serious topic, and gives us the something isn't right angle. Excellent work and may more success find your way Peace.

[@martin518441]

No if you have ever dealt with relatives with dementia they will absolutely stop eating and even walk off and disappear for days and if lucky come back with similar stories like " I was at the neighbors for half an hour' as shown in the movie

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

you know I have seen you comment on a few Alter uploads and your handler name or tag is aptly fitting.

[@roxyshih660]

I Love this! Thank you so much for your thoughts, it's always beautiful to see how people takeaway the film.

[@yuktana4952]

I love the location, the mountain, the fog which makes it more creepy but but I didn't really get the ending

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

Also I loved the scenery. It sort of had a feel like "The Witch" to me which was full of beautiful images.

[@rubycio]

This was really well done, cinematically, but I don't understand the story??? What is scary about this?

[@b.b.gaming6644]

I guess the suspense and like not knowing what is really happening/going on..

[@MisterG2323]

Moral: when you find out grandma's been eating poop for five days, it's time to leave.

[@roxyshih660]

RIGHT?? 😂

[@gardeniavase1539]

i love the atmosphere in this one, creepy! well done!

[@JustMamba]

Idk how you got george young in this but it turned out great. The best part is even with someone as big of an actor as him he didn't steal the show and it wasn't all about him. Everyone did good, acting wise, and the cinematography was amazing.

[@sweets4mimi]

I really liked this story. I hope you do more indigenous stories. There are so many around the world!

[@roxyshih660]

YES to this 10000%

[@brianpan6453]

This incredible short horror film deserves not just a sequel BUT, ALSO, a prequel .... maybe the ghost was the grandmother's caretaker after the grandmother's parents died during Chinese civil strife 80 years earlier!

[@cstxzahahwrrenneienneohdel9627]

As always, the mystery deepens even farther & goes ever further!

[@sutherngirrl7590]

So much talent consistently coming out of Alter's channel!!

[@martin518441]

alter does not make these films they just host them on the channel

[@jomama5186]

The story was pretty darn good and the place that did the filming was an absolutely beautiful area of the world

[@calvinsmyth]

When the grandmother and her granddaughter were walking in the rain, the crisp sound of the raindrops hitting the umbrella was like being under the umbrella with them.

[@torbenfewell8592]

Masterfully done. Wonderful story. Keep doing your thing.

[@wanchai9488]

Beautiful scenery and I love the story line. Keep on great work.

[@janetkoh6824]

Love this so much . Captivating from start to end . Excellent filming you have there. Kudos to all who did this

[@komalvishwakarma9740]

Wonderfully shot..... Want more of these 😀

[@MidnightVideo]

We got more for ya!

[@hobispreciouseusmile]

Alter never fails to amaze! The creator of this short did an incredible work. The mystery at the end was giving chills

[@brianpan6453]

ABSOLUTELY! Alzheimers?? Ghosts?? Incredible ending.

[@einienj3281]

This was really good! Felt like I was there! 🖤

[@michaelhampegrube9828]

Love these horror shorts🤩 especially because there haven't been any good horror movies to satisfy the itch, in nearly a decade 🙃

[@bensweiss]

Oh my goodness, this was wonderful. Thank you! I was shocked and horrified. I want the music, especially at the ending.

[@Theonly.champ4]

I love it keep up the good work

[@sherilynlum-alarcon5007]

Bravo . I loved this . It hits on many levels . I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for us.

[@roxybrooks6937]

This was wonderful, thank you!

[@lavendermoon9mycashappheyw32]

wow amazing movie! wish it was longer,bravo!

[@angellee4057]

I love the story thanks for sharing.Ghost are real

[@ftsj90]

1 minute in and i am so impressed with the cinematography already.

[@sunwukong911]

Anyone want some dumplings now? Them shits taste damn good!!

[@ravennevermore641]

I'll pass

[@nathanhyde2079]

Makes me feel like taking a dump.

[@tenillefritsche2281]

Beautifully done!

[@artemisnectar7]

WOW😱. Amazing Roxy , luvd it from top 2 bottom. How may auditions were held? ALTER baby😈 very nice!

[@dennistremaglio8307]

beautify done on all aspects. I swear I could smell this movie watching it

[@millennial_fairy]

That was so chilling with stellar Performances from the cast !

[@reamageorge9648]

Who is the lady in red? The supplier of "dumplings". Hope there will be a Part 2.

[@venadacent7696]

Spooky and the music was ace. Well done to all involved :-)

[@UpnAbout99]

well done . this was superb. the message stands out . nice work

[@suevans6436]

really enjoyed it, every minute was interesting

[@mary.poster11]

Wow that was creepy!!!! Masterpiece ending

[@tabitham3581]

We need a part 2! I really liked the actor too he’s so cool

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

See this just proves that if you are going to move to the city to look for work you should never forget your roots Both metaphorically and literally. Also I love the depth of this film. Everything about it was superb.

[@roxyshih660]

Thank you, I know we all resonate once we fly the coop.

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

@@roxyshih660 I didn't resonate with it because I flew the coop. I mean I did leave years ago and come back. I resonated with it because of the concern we get over people that previously took care of us.

[@brianpan6453]

We learn too late that often the country is much more authentic than the city.

[@sandrasavage9650]

The armoire is the scariest one yet!!

[@HDCVC]

True short horror movies please! I love your channel:😱👌

[@pallavisinghjauhal9247]

It went straight above my head....was waiting for something horror to happen, but it ended...please can someone explain me ...

[@schmirgo]

the scenes were shot beautifully, however it was missing some more horror elements

[@captainmatey4896]

This was really really good. I think would make a really good full length film.

[@montygriswald7296]

Excellent work! I would a follow up!

[@luceroguzman2858]

DELICIOUS PHOTOGRAPHY. A GREAT STORY

[@yourerightiamright.3709]

Where do I know that sound / music from at 10:09 ? ? ? God I love how hauntingly beautiful it sounds. From a video game?

[@grantc8369]

I'm wondering if it's the first note from the eerie music in the Clear Water short film (Alter or Dust) about the alien creature producing humans in the cave. I had the same thought.

[@kirthanasivakumar640]

Nice short film. The visuals were amazing. Good use of sound.

[@patrickoneill8707]

The acting, the camera work, the production everything was absolutely top-notch. I'm not just kissing the ass of this indie film producer. I really mean it. If you are reading this comment before watching definitely go ahead and watch.

[@highwayhunter3510]

New video im so excited :))

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

Immense masterpiece. I will say no more.

[@roxyshih660]

😭 thank youuuu!!!!

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

@@roxyshih660 ✨💖✨

[@javondaplaylist4117]

That is a good shot film 👍👍👍👏👏

[@hkguitar1984]

I Like Thank You for Sharing this with us.

[@roxyshih660]

Thank you for watching! xo

[@Dreamyblue101]

Awesome

[@-JA-]

Beautiful.👍

[@TheCraniifer]

I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@minazviitagonzo3316]

SLAYED

[@sutube1296]

Excelente trabalho 👏

[@rudevalve]

Certified Gold!!!!!

[@roxyshih660]

THANK YOU 🥰

[@mementomori11]

Who's the woman at the end? The grandma's imaginary friend?

[@patient666zero]

Xiao Fei (Grandma’s Neighbor)

[@PavonesChildBride]

If it's a "paranormal thriller", she's obviously a ghost

[@atimidbirb]

Dang, grandma befriended a yokai

[@blessings1015]

Why can’t horror movies be as good as shorts

[@spacecowgurl57]

Excellent beyond 👌

[@alexanderadavar6439]

Great acting and story, honestly didnt get the ghost element or the neighbours house beyond it being a metaphor for Alzheimer's or decay, but the mood and commentary on departing from the old ways of life are excellent, as are the characters, i was hooked

[@mariahhall8481]

Your films are better than the Hollywood actors. You guys should get more credit! Well done! 🔥

[@renamon5658]

Alter needs to make a tv series

[@louisianaboyjames2660]

Yes a web series.

[@martin518441]

alter does not make these films they just host them

[@nathanhyde2079]

Yes, many of these films can be found on other channels.

[@JrsLife-Adventures]

Anyone wants some dumpling!? Good Stuff lol

[@tangiecleans312]

I’m a little confused, don’t really understand what’s going on. Does the grandma have dementia, is the lady at the end some kind of evil woman that she encountered when she went to that empty run down cabin?

[@MADYESTASTUDIOS]

good one indeed

[@christianwag3015]

Yessssss 🔥🔥🔥

[@MisterY81b]

Finally something I can share with my mum when she wants me to eat her dumplings !

[@tanrose8645]

Well done❣️👏👏👏🌹 Stay warm, everyone ❣️☃️⭐ & PLEASE Stay 'safe', everyone❣️ Blessed be ✨💫🌟🌛🌹🌜

[@TimePass-zu9ij]

Nice... heart touching movie

[@oran_berry]

This was wonderfully done and I don't mean to sound rude but the ending left much to be desired. It felt like the film had finally started at the end? Wish it had left at least a little bit more explained/followed up on. Indigenous stories like this are wonderful though, keep it up. ♥

[@princeblackelf4265]

Ok so, man, I hate that it sort ends in what seems like the middle of the story but over all that was pretty great. I know a rudimentary bit of Chinese folklore and customs so I picked up on a few things that perhaps the average viewer might not, but I would definitely like a follow up

[@youtubeuser4943]

care to share any knowledge? I'd love to hear about it!

[@roxyshih660]

I'm glad I left you wanting more ;)

[@princeblackelf4265]

@@youtubeuser4943 well the two big things that sort of stuck out is how the ghost was mentioned to be a bride , and red is a traditional bridal color , so not only was there a great deal of red in her house but she appears in a vibrant red at the end. The other thing being the grandma consuming animal feces, I recall that legends around hungry ghosts in southeast Asian folklore sometimes makes mention of how even though they are so hungry the only thing they can get down their throats is feces

[@coartramey7382]

Lovely film, though no ghostly spirit is as frightening as dementia.

[@abubaseet]

I'm afraid I don't understand this one. I must have missed something at the end.

[@Lilyunderwater]

Got me thinking about how there is nothing more weak or feeble in culture than an old woman. Surrounded by beauty and scenery, she was beautiful too... in a very different way.

[@jomama5186]

I don't know what I'm missing but I completely don't understand this one

[@aryaa7334]

as an indonesian whose family is contrasted by isolated tradition and fast paced city life, i can say this perfectly sums up southeast asian mental issues. love it so much

[@Mewmew-gn5ul]

I don't know where this idea about people having to be gone 48 hours to be considered missing but it is incorrect and an extremely harmful misunderstanding. The first 48 hours is the most important time. It's within the first couple of days that they can find a person. After that, trails and leads can run cold

[@jameszack7158]

In the end, there is large intestines of animals in the basket. Not dumplings. The witch woman probably will make the old woman and her granddaughter eat those large intestines, by force.