Mikes Film Talk

The 2024 film The Watchers is odd, yet ultimately boring. It could have been titled: If You Go Into The Woods…” Although that would have been false advertising as the latter title promises a big surprise. The Watchers fails to deliver, unfortunately.

The Story

Artist Mina goes to deliver an collectible bird to a zoo in Dublin. On the way she enters a forest and her car breaks down. Grabbing the bird Mina starts walking. A woman appears from nowhere and tells her to run. She does, right into a trap.

She is captive with three other people who have all been in captivity quite a bit longer. They are all being watched by, “monsters.”

They all, bar one, escape.

The Main Cast

Dakota Fanning is Mina and Lucy

Georgina Campbell is Ciara. If Georgina looks familiar, she starred in Barbarian; the 2022 horror film that knocked it out of the park.

Olwen Fouéré is Madeline.

Oliver Finnegan is the ever so cheeky Daniel.

And:

John Lynch (He of the marvelous face.) is Kilmartin.

Behind the Scenes

Ishana Shyamalan co-writes and directs this one. (Her co-writer is credited as A.M. Shine; the author of the book.) If Ishana’s name sounds familiar, it is because she is following in her father’s scary and sometimes brilliant footsteps. M. Night Shyamalan is Ishana’s poppa and the sometimes descriptive is added mainly for The Happening. *A film where Mark Wahlberg fights disgruntled pollen. I won’t mention the sub-standard Lady in the Water…oops.*

Still, as Shyamalan’s go, Ishana is off to a stumbling start. The Watchers features a solid star name and is set in America’s favorite “go to” spot; Ireland. We have fairies, most likely spelt “faeries,” and they want to be us.

So far so good.

But.

This one falls short.

It works best when we do not see the “monsters.” While they are unknown entities they are more frightening. Once we learn what they really are, however, their threat; while still very apparent, is diminished. It is, ultimately, boring.

The Verdict

The Watchers is a shaky 3 stars out of 5. Now don’t get me wrong here;this is an excellent first film. Sadly, though, it is a touch boring. Another of those films that probably would have been better on television. Horizon, anyone? The Watchers is available to stream on Max.

The Trailer