by If you’ve ever watched a movie that’s based on a book (that you’ve read), you know how disappointing it is to learn that they have forgotten major details or changed important parts of the story. The Watchers (2024) is a film directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan. It is an adaptation of A.M Shine’s novel of the same name. Unfortunately, the movie has been criticized by many viewers, which leaves the question… is it worth watching or is it just a waste of time?
I’ve watched The Watchers recently, and I’ve got some thoughts that I’d like to share. If you’re planning to watch this, the movie is available on certain streaming services like Netflix and Max. So, without further ado, let’s begin!
The Watchers Plot
The Watchers is about a young woman named Mina who gets lost in a forest in Ireland. She then finds a small shelter with three strangers. Every night, strange creatures called the Watchers come to watch them through the glass walls. No one knows what they are or what they want. But the one thing is clear: they should never leave at night. Now, along with the three strangers, they try to learn more about the Watchers and why they are being observed.
The Watchers Cast
There’s a lot to say about the cast’s performance. But mostly, it’s about the delivery of the dialogue. Some lines hit just right. Others? Maybe not so much. Dakota Fanning carries most of the weight, which makes Mina’s fear and curiosity feel real. Georgina Campbell and Olwen Fouéré bring their own energy. The rest of the cast does fine, but some characters feel a bit underused.
- Dakota Fanning as Mina/Lucy
- Georgina Campbell as Ciara
- Olwen Fouéré as Madeline
- Hannah Howland as Chloe
- Oliver Finnegan as Daniel
- Alistair Brammer as John
If you’re planning to stream this movie, you must have a decent internet connection. It’s best if you have an internet plan from reputable internet providers like Hughesnet and others. Having a stable high-speed internet connection will give you a smoother streaming experience.
Mixed Reviews from Viewers
Based on Rotten Tomatoes, The Watchers received 33% Tomatometer and 50% Popcornmeter. That pretty much tells you the movie is a mixed bag. Critics weren’t too impressed, but audiences were a little more forgiving. The reviews for The Watchers are all over the place. Dakota Fanning got some praise, but the script and pacing were a big problem. Personally, I have the same feedback. I also thought that the suspense was slow and overexplained. Even on Reddit, many viewers have shared their disappointment. Some left reviews that aren’t really related to the plot of the movie but about the availability of The Watchers on various streaming deals.
As for me, The Watchers had a cool idea, but it didn’t really stick the landing. The creepy setup pulled me in, but the story dragged too much. While Dakota Fanning is always a sight to see, but she couldn’t make up for the slow pacing of the movie. By the time the big twists came, they just didn’t hit as hard as they should have. It’s not a terrible movie, but it left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’d rate The Watchers a 4/10. It has a lot of potential, and they really followed the book. However, the problem is that the book wasn’t that good, so we can’t really expect a lot from the movie itself unless they alter some scenes/parts. It was a good effort, but I don’t think I’ll recommend it to anyone looking for something to watch.
