Netflix Surprises Horror Fans by Unexpectedly Adding ‘The Watchers’

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As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has seen my fair share of cinematic masterpieces and some not-so-great films, I must admit that I was initially intrigued by the premise of ‘The Watchers‘. The idea of a young artist trapped in an untouched forest with mysterious creatures sounded like a promising setup for a suspenseful horror film. However, my experience watching this movie left me feeling rather disappointed and underwhelmed.

After sitting through its slow-paced, cliché-ridden narrative, I found myself longing for the excitement that was promised in the synopsis. The reliance on tropes and overexplained plot points made it a chore to get through, and the final act was a letdown to say the least. It’s a shame because I had such high hopes for Ishana Night Shyamalan, especially after her successful stint with Apple TV’s ‘The Servant’.

In all honesty, if you haven’t seen ‘The Watchers’ yet, I wouldn’t rush to watch it. But hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll find something in it that I missed. After all, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder – or perhaps, in the forest where ‘The Watchers’ takes place! Just remember to bring a good book to keep yourself entertained during the slow parts.

Yesterday, Netflix subscribers encountered an unexpected surprise as two new movies appeared on the streaming platform. One was “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1,” a Western starring Kevin Costner, and the other was “The Watchers,” the directorial debut of Ishana Night Shyamalan featuring Dakota Fanning. “The Watchers” had its premiere in June this year before becoming available on VOD by the end of the month. It then moved to Max for streaming by the end of August.

As a devoted fan of the post-apocalyptic genre and someone who has been eagerly awaiting new additions to my watch list, I was thrilled to discover that Netflix had sneakily added not one, but three Mad Max titles – “Mad Max: Fury Road”, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”, and “The Watchers” – alongside the previously announced films. Given that these movies will only be available on Netflix for the next three months, I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency to catch up on this thrilling trilogy before they disappear once again. That being said, if you’ve been hesitant about watching “The Watchers”, I completely understand – it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. However, as someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the dystopian world of Mad Max, I can confidently say that these films are a must-watch for any fan of the genre. So grab your popcorn and settle in, because this is one adventure you won’t want to miss!

According to A. M. Shine’s 2021 novel, M. Night Shyamalan’s first directorial attempt, “The Watchers”, struggled at the box office, grossing only $33 million against a production cost of $30 million. The film centers around Mina, a 28-year-old artist who gets lost in an unexplored forest in western Ireland and ends up confined with three unknown individuals. Every night, they are pursued by mysterious creatures. On paper, it seems intriguing, but unfortunately, “The Watchers” is far from it. It’s a drawn-out, monotonous experience that betrays the inexperience of its director, who heavily relies on tired clichés and narrative devices, making the movie less engaging. Despite Shyamalan’s acclaimed work in television with Apple TV’s “The Servant”, “The Watchers” is a confusing mess that leaves audiences unsatisfied.

‘The Watchers’ Was Panned by Both Critics and Audiences

With a 32% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, “The Watchers” didn’t fare well among both groups. Jeffrey Lyles of Lyles’ Movie Files stated that the premise, by about 40 minutes in, appears to be running out of time and is eventually let down by a lackluster ending. Similarly, Pete Vonder Haar from the Houston Press shared similar sentiments, also adding a criticism directed at M. Night Shyamalan’s father.

In essence, “The Watchers” struggles mainly due to M. Night Shyamalan’s heavy use of narration rather than visual storytelling. It’s worth noting that this penchant for excessive exposition seems to be a trait shared within his family as well.

Users’ reviews from Rotten Tomatoes were largely negative, with many commenting that while the movie begins promisingly, it soon becomes a monotonous grind that one finds hard to finish. They aren’t off-base in their assessment. The film is rich in atmosphere but lacks a compelling narrative, which is disappointing given the anticipation surrounding the younger M. Night Shyamalan. As we wait to see if he’ll direct again, don’t miss out on The Watchers, now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-01-01 20:01