The movie opens on three duster-clad characters on a lonely rural highway, bringing to mind a an evangelical version of ZZ-Top in the Legs video. Instead of ogling a scantily-clad woman, this trinity is singing the praises of "him" — a new stranger in town.

Flanked by his mysterious posse is the Christ-like Brandon Nichols (Edward Furlong), a man who lives in a barn and preaches the gospel of health and wealth to anyone who will listen. Bestowing miraculous cures (the blind can see, the crippled can cha-cha) on everyone within arm's reach, Brandon seems heaven-sent. But is he?

The Visitation is directed by Robby Henson, whose work came to my attention in 2002 with The Badge, a strange little film that starred Billy Bob Thornton and bowed to mostly bad reviews. (Personally, I liked its Lynchian eccentricity.) Next up for Henson is Thr3e, an adaptation of a best-selling Christian-themed novel. In the thriller, my favorite Devil's Reject, Bill Moseley, will reteam with Priscilla Barnes to torture her once more (in a much tamer, swear word-free manner) while costar Marc Blucas tries to save the day.

Despite his religious leanings, it seems Henson is a fan of the Rejects. Thr3e stars Moseley and Barnes, while The Visitation features Barnes and Lew Temple. The two main protagonists are played by Martin Donovan (Saved!) as former preacher Travis Jordan, and Kelly Lynch (The Jacket) as local veterinarian, Morgan Elliot. The lately-awful Edward Furlong redeems himself nicely as the ambiguous miracle-worker — he still chews the scenery, but he only takes little nibbles and actually seems capable of recapturing his early brilliance in the acting arena. Randy Travis and Don Swayze round out the country-fried cast.

Based on a deeply-layered novel, The Visitation can only unpeel the onion so far in an hour and half — but Brian Godawa's screenplay does a decent job of drawing the viewer in and keeping them guessing… until about halfway through. The story flounders a bit, but the colorful characters and fun acting performances keep one entertained.

There's not an awful lot of blood and gore, but the elements of horror and suspense are definitely there and Henson does a great job of bringing them to the fore. There are some dark storylines, including the brutal, unsolved murder of Jordan's wife; the unexplainable resurrection of a dead dog; and some strange masochism involving barbed wire and a wooden cross.

Until The Visitation loses its momentum (and even after that), it's a cut above your usual spiritual-themed good vs. evil opus and I appreciated the non-preachiness of it. The Visitation is, thankfully, a movie not a message.

The DVD does not contain any additional release material.

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson