The Watchers (2024) spoiler free review
They are watching. The Watchers is a 2024 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan in her feature directorial debut, produced by M. Night Shyamalan, and based on the novel of the same name by A. M. Shine. The film was theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland on June 7, 2024.
A 28-year-old artist gets stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland. Finding shelter, she unknowingly becomes trapped alongside three strangers who are stalked by mysterious creatures every night.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Dakota Fanning as Mina, Georgina Campbell as Ciara, Oliver Finnegan as Daniel, Olwen Fouéré as Madeline, Alistair Brammer as John, Ciara’s husband, and John Lynch as the Professor.
My opinion
After ending stranded in the middle of the forest in western Ireland Mina is forced to stay inside a shelter with a double sided mirror with three more strangers. The forest is dominated by nocturnal creatures that do not spare human life and their power makes it impossible for anyone who enters the forest to leave. Determined to continue her life and not spend months or years inside the shelter like the others, Mina breaks the group’s rules of survival and discovers not only a possible way out but the origin of the creatures that watch them every night.
Based on the novel of the same name by A.M. Shine The Watchers transports us to a world of fantasy and suspense. Unfortunately, this is another film adaptation that fails to present the source material effectively. The film lacks the terrifying atmosphere that envelops you from the first pages of the book. Even though it is visually captivating supported by an adequate soundtrack, the story undergoes slight changes that accelerate the ending, feeling rushed. The cast’s performances leave a lot to be desired, as does the script that felt flat. The plot twist is unfortunately predictable even if you haven’t read the book. Even so, the movie is enjoyable and entertaining to pass the time.