Is it The Watchers or The Watched? In North America, it’s the former, in the UK and Ireland it’s the latter. Nonetheless, this distinction does not clarify the all-over-the-shop plotting of Ishana Night Shyamalan’s feature debut. Working from a folk-horror novel by A.M. Shine, Shyamalan takes a simple single-location genre premise and somehow creates a thriller that’s both unnecessarily complex and almost entirely uninteresting.
The film begins with a seemingly promising premise of a forest that draws in lost souls, only to leave them lost forever. However, this initial set-up fails to build suspense effectively. The stranded backpacker’s terror and subsequent death set the stage for the introduction of the main character, Mina, who lives in existential torment in Galway.
Mina’s character, played by Dakota Fanning, is burdened with a heavy-handed backstory that detracts from the overall plot development. Her grief for her deceased mother adds a layer of unnecessary complexity to the narrative, which fails to resonate with the audience. The introduction of secondary characters, such as Madeline, Ciara, and Daniel, does little to enhance the storyline, as their presence feels forced and unnatural.
Shyamalan attempts to draw on Irish mythology to create a sense of mystery and intrigue within the film. However, the introduction of changelings and the hidden underground bunker lead to an overload of exposition that dilutes any suspense that was previously built. The character of “The Professor” serves as a vessel for this exposition, delivering information in a cumbersome and unengaging manner.
As the film progresses, it becomes evident that there is a lack of cohesion in the storytelling. The rules established within the narrative are quickly abandoned, leaving the audience questioning the significance of certain plot points. The extended coda that follows the natural conclusion of the story further adds to the confusion, ultimately diminishing the impact of the film as a whole.
While Shyamalan demonstrates an ability to create effective scares within the film, these moments are overshadowed by the convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters. The potential for a tight, atmospheric chiller is lost amidst the excessive exposition and disjointed narrative. The film fails to deliver a cohesive and engaging horror experience, leaving viewers more frustrated than frightened.
The Watchers (or is it The Watched?) falls short of its potential as a compelling horror-thriller. The ambiguity of the title reflects the overall confusion and lack of direction present throughout the film. Shyamalan’s ambitious attempt to blend folk horror with mythology results in a convoluted and ultimately unsatisfying viewing experience. Despite moments of effective horror, the film fails to create a cohesive and engaging narrative, leaving audiences bewildered and disappointed.
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