“The Watchers”: Promises an Eerie Start Only to Falter as the Film Progresses
Director: Ishana Shyamalan
Rating: 4/10
In the realm of horror cinema, “The Watchers” directed by Ishana Shyamalan, M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter, has stirred a considerable amount of anticipation. The film stars Dakota Fanning in a role that places her in the eerie and isolating environment of the woods, where she finds herself inexplicably trapped in a room with three strangers. Together, they are subjected to the unnerving surveillance of the unknown entities known as The Watchers. As showcased in the trailer, the premise promises an eerie and nail-biting experience. Yet, while the movie begins with a gripping sense of horror and intrigue, it ultimately succumbs to a disappointing unraveling. In the true nature of the Shyamalan family, the movie started off as intriguing only to falter as the film progresses. As I like to call it, the movie has been “Shyamalanified.”
From the get-go, “The Watchers” captured the viewers with its compelling and eerie setup. Dakota Fanning delivers a strong performance as her character navigates the disorienting and terrifying circumstances of her entrapment, while also subtly showcasing the internal trauma of her character. The first act was effectively crafted to evoke a deep sense of dread, leveraging the fear of the unknown and the unseen. The concept of being watched by an invisible force taps into primal fears, and the film effectively uses this to build suspense and tension. However, as the narrative progresses, “The Watchers” begins to falter. The movie's initial premise of an unseen antagonist, which could have sustained the horror elements, starts to disintegrate. The fear of the unknown, a potential tool in horror storytelling, is gradually replaced by a need to overexplain and demystify the core narrative elements that made the film intriguing in the first place. This shift is where the movie starts to lose its grip on the audience.
Warner Bros. Pictures
The film's downfall is reminiscent of the trajectory seen in some of M. Night Shyamalan's works, where an initially captivating premise gives way to a convoluted and unsatisfying resolution. Ishana Shyamalan's direction follows a similar pattern, leading to what I described as a "Shyamalanified" horror experience. Much like “The Watchers”, which began with the promise of exploring deeper themes such as identity, childhood trauma, and the existential fear of being watched, ends up diluting these concepts through excessive exposition and predictable twists. The source material, a book that inspired the film, likely held the potential for a richer and more nuanced exploration of these themes. However, the cinematic adaptation falls short in its execution. The reveal of the "Unknown" is handled in a manner that feels lackluster and anti-climactic. Instead of maintaining the enigma and allowing the audience's imagination to fill in the gaps, the movie opts for a straightforward and uninspired explanation. This choice undermines the buildup, resulting in a climax that lacks the intended impact.
As the movie delves into the root of what is happening, it becomes bogged down by its own narrative choices. The twists, which are meant to add layers of complexity and intrigue, end up being more of a stronghold than a revelation. The pacing suffers as the story becomes increasingly tedious, weighed down by unnecessary details and over-explanation of the situation. This approach is counterproductive in a horror film, where the power of the unknown and the unexplained often serves to heighten fear and tension. The second and third acts of “The Watchers” are particularly problematic. What began as a promising exploration of psychological and existential horror devolves into a cliche-ridden drama. The movie's insistence on stripping away the mystery to lay everything bare robs it of its initial allure. Instead of allowing the audience to grapple with the unsettling ambiguity, the film spoon-feeds answers that are neither satisfying nor compelling. The execution in these latter parts feels like a disservice to the clever idea that the film started with. The narrative, which could have continued to explore the deeper psychological aspects of fear and identity, instead resorts to conventional horror tropes. The result is a film that feels like a missed opportunity—a promising concept that was muddied by an overzealous need to provide concrete answers. It’s a crime against the horror cinematic universe. There is nothing wrong with allowing the audience to explore their imagination and letting them create narratives in their head.
In summary, “The Watchers” is a film that begins with great potential but ultimately fails to deliver on its initial promise. The intriguing premise and strong performances, particularly by Dakota Fanning, are overshadowed by a narrative that loses its way. The fear of the unknown, a powerful element in horror, is squandered and squashed by an overreliance on explanation and predictability. Ishana Shyamalan's direction, while initially effective, falls into the trap of overcomplicating and demystifying the story, leading to a disappointing and lackluster conclusion.
For viewers seeking a horror film that maintains its suspense and keeps them on the edge of their seats, “The Watchers” may prove to be a letdown. While it has moments of brilliance and a strong beginning, the overall experience is marred by a flawed execution that ultimately makes it a frustrating watch. The film serves as a reminder that sometimes, in horror, less is more, and the power of the unknown should never be underestimated.
