Film Review: The Watchers 窺探者 (2024) - USA
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
“The Watchers” marks Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut and exhibits potential for a promising career. Produced by M. Night Shyamalan and based on A. M. Shine's novel, the film presents an intriguing premise centered around being watched. Despite falling short of its full potential, “The Watchers” manages to captivate audiences with commendable performances and atmospheric visuals.
Dakota Fanning and Georgina Campbell deliver noteworthy performances, adding depth and vulnerability to their respective characters. Fanning's portrayal brings emotional resonance, while Campbell showcases her versatility. Their performances anchor the film, keeping viewers engaged.
Shyamalan's direction demonstrates her talent, with glimpses of her father's influence evident throughout. The film benefits from its strong production values, including impressive cinematography and a haunting score that enhances the eerie atmosphere.
However, “The Watchers” struggles to fully explore its intriguing premise, providing a limited message that feels underdeveloped. The pacing could have been tighter, and a deeper exploration of the themes and ideas presented would have enhanced the overall experience.
All in all, “The Watchers” is an engaging supernatural horror film with potential for more. While it doesn't fully realize its ideas, it showcases the talents of its director and cast. With stronger storytelling and a more developed message, it could have worked better.
I rated it 7/10
Reviewed in Cinemas, Hong Kong