The Watchers Review

I'm a simp for M. Night Shyamalan. There, I said it. So, when I heard his daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan, would be making her directorial debut with The Watchers, I was excited. The trailer was intriguing, and I like Dakota Fanning's stuff, but the biggest concern was the plot. How were they going to make a fully fleshed story with a single location in the woods of Ireland? Well, many of Shyamalan's films have been structured similarly with a single location, so we know it can work. After watching the film, I can definitely say this was a success for the first-time director, though it just barely holds up. It's evident that Ishana took a lot of inspiration from her father and made sure to implement a plot twist so common to M. Night's work.

Set at a remote forest in Ireland we follow Mina who encounters three strangers stalked by mysterious creatures, with no means to escape. The creatures are said to be dangerous, and active at night. The rectangle building the characters spend time at is referred to as the coop. Inside the coop are a few pieces of furniture and one large window facing the forest. Each night the characters must act out a performance whether singing or dancing to please the creatures outside. During daytime the group searches for ways to escape the forest, and any clues that may help reveal more about the creatures. The story ramps up after one of the characters, Daniel, locks Mina and Madeline out of the coop. By this point the characters had increased isolation and lack of food, so tensions were high. Through a series of events, the group discovers a hidden vault within the coop. Below is an extensive laboratory with equipment and surveillance systems. To their surprise the facility was constructed as a part of a research project led by Professor Rory Kilmartin. The project's purpose was to study the creatures outside, with one even being captured and held in the bunker. While playing the professor's video diaries, the group learns the creatures are an ancient species that once lived among human beings. Professor Kilmartin ends his video stating the research project was a mistake, and that the creatures must be left alone. He then climbs the bunker to kill a creature above, and himself. Before doing so, the professor discloses a way to escape the forest. The following day the group heads to the location where a boat awaits them. Only Mina, Ciara, and Madeline get out alive.

This is where the plot twist comes into play. The professor at the end of his diary made a request for whoever watched the video to find his office at the university and destroy any documents pertaining to the creatures. Mina eventually finds the office, and while glancing through his files sees the architectural plans for the coop, historical drawings of the creatures, and a picture of Kilmartin and his wife. Mina notices his wife looks eerily like Madeline, the main leader of the group with the most knowledge of the creatures and forest. The university worker tells Mina that Kilmartin's wife had been dead for years. Madeline is not who she said she was, and potentially a threat. Mina arrives at Ciara's home to warn her of the news but discovers that the Ciara she is talking to is not actually Ciara. This version of Ciara has imperfections and does not look quite right. Her eyes are bit lopsided and face crooked. The two have an altercation and it's revealed that under the concealment is Madeline herself, with her true purpose to better mimic humans. Madeline was the byproduct of a human and fairy mating, allowing her to survive in daylight as the fairies could not. Mina convinces Madeline to spare her life and others, and instead live amongst humans peacefully.

Kind of underwhelming, right? That's how most people felt. Some of the reasons I didn't love this was because of the safe storytelling, and a plot twist that didn't resonate. The film was overproduced, with little character. I never felt truly frightened or on the edge of my seat, and the dialogue was average at best. The idea had potential, but ultimately doesn't pay off, as the storytelling is not gripping enough. We needed more oomph and something truly shocking, but we didn't get that. I think Ishana should've withheld some information and waited till the very end to show the creatures. Some of the suspense was gone by the final act and we already had an idea a plot twist is coming. If you're a fan of an isolated forest as the setting with mythological themes, you may enjoy this. For others, I recommend skipping this one.

What were your thoughts on The Watchers?

6.3 / 10