As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the intricate worlds of horror and suspense, I must admit that my expectations for “The Watchers” were somewhat tainted by its less-than-stellar theatrical run. However, with the film now available on streaming platforms, I couldn’t resist giving it a chance.
One of this year’s unsuccessful horror movies has been given another opportunity on streaming platforms: “The Watchers,” directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Ishana Night Shyamalan in her first feature film, is now available for streaming on Max. This horror thriller, based on the novel by A.M. Shine, offers a captivating mystery and unexpected turns. Notably, Ishana’s work echoes that of her acclaimed father, M. Night Shyamalan, who serves as a producer on this project.
In the movie, a young American artist named Mina (Dakota Fanning) becomes lost in a thick Irish woodland and stumbles upon an elderly woman and a secret hideout called “The Coop.” It is revealed that the inhabitants of “The Coop” are under constant surveillance by unseen observers through a reflective window. Breaking the rules or leaving “The Coop” results in fatal consequences, and Mina must devise a means to break free from her enigmatic captors. The film, titled The Watchers, includes an unexpected ending that may evoke memories of one of Ishana’s father’s films.
Alongside Fanning, the cast of The Watchers includes Georgina Campbell (known for Barbarian) as Ciara, Olwen Fouéré as Madeline, Oliver Finnegan (familiar from Outlander) as Daniel, and Alistair Brammer as John. Despite some negative reviews, the film has garnered praise for its exceptional cast. Fanning’s acting skills, demonstrated in shows like The Alienist and Ripley, have once again proven her to be a top-notch dramatic actress, and her performance in the lead role is commendable. Kim Newman of Empire Magazine even remarked that Fanning delivers an exceptional performance in this role.
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The Critical Response to The Watchers
1. The film received largely negative reviews, earning a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Richard Roeper from The Chicago Sun Times commented that the movie seemed like a copy of familiar horror themes without many original ideas. Conversely, Sarah Michelle Fetters of MovieFreak provided a positive review, stating that despite its flaws, the eerie entities portrayed in the film left a lasting impression, which is noteworthy.
The movie was initially screened in June, right smack in the heart of summer blockbuster season. However, the lackluster response was evident at the ticket counter, as it only managed to earn $19 million domestically and $33 million worldwide during its screening period, which is quite disappointing considering its $30 million production budget. This underperformance, in terms of box office earnings for a major studio film released across over 3,300 theaters, was dismal by any standard. Interestingly, Deadpool and Wolverine collected $24 million on their opening day alone.
Although “The Watchers” has some shortcomings, its brooding ambiance, powerful acting, and surprising finale make it a film worth seeing. Despite receiving a 52% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn’t great, it significantly outshines the criticism it received. The impact of Ishana’s father is evident, and there are more pros than cons to be found in this movie. While “The Watchers” may not be the top thriller of the year, it definitely warrants a viewing.
The Watchers
is currently streaming on Max.
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2024-09-01 20:36