Hi all!

Today I am reviewing new-release, horror: The Watchers. It hit cinemas in Australia this month, allowing me the opportunity of seeing it on the big screen. 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. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Note: This film was directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of M. Night. It was her directorial debut.  

WHAT WORKED:

This film is a beautiful, fantastical, cinematic masterpiece. Set in Ireland, the views are supremely lush and spectacular. The Watchers reminded me of so many different forms of media I have really enjoyed in the past. Here are some examples:

– Bird Box 

– A Quiet Place 

– Men 

– Pan’s Labyrinth 

–  From (television series)

– Bramble (game)

I was captivated from start to finish, eager to learn more about the folklore. If you love fantasy, fairies and halflings, this story is for you. The twist caught me by surprise. Not to mention, it had quite a wholesome ending that brought a tear to my eye. For a directorial debut, Ishana did a wonderful job.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

I haven’t read the book but you can tell it’s an adaptation. There are a few plot points that aren’t explored further. For this reason, it is a bit clunky. However, that didn’t overly bother me. My biggest gripe was it didn’t feel much like a horror. There were more moments of tension than genuine scares. I would’ve loved the terror to have been pushed further.

OVERALL STAR RATING: 

I gave it 4/5 stars. It’s absolutely worth seeing on the big screen. 

Thank you so much for reading! Have you seen The Watchers? 

Peace & Love xoxo