Evaluation Essay on a Movie

​The Watchers, released in 2024, marks the directorial debut of Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of renowned filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. This horror-thriller follows Mina (Dakota Fanning), an American expatriate in Ireland who becomes ensnared in a mysterious forest inhabited by enigmatic creatures known as “The Watchers.” Despite a promising premise and atmospheric visuals, the film ultimately falls short due to its underdeveloped characters and reliance on conventional horror tropes.​

Plot Overview

Mina, tasked with delivering a rare bird across Ireland, is stranded in an expansive, foreboding forest after her car breaks down. Seeking refuge, she encounters three strangers—Madeline (Olwen Fouéré), Ciara (Georgina Campbell), and Daniel (Oliver Finnegan)—who are similarly trapped. They reside in a bunker-like structure with a large glass wall through which unseen entities observe them nightly. The group must adhere to strict rules to survive, primarily remaining within the shelter after dark to avoid the lethal attention of “The Watchers.” As the narrative unfolds, Mina endeavors to uncover the truth behind these creatures and the forest’s sinister nature.​

Directorial Approach and Cinematography

Ishana Night Shyamalan demonstrates a keen eye for visual storytelling, effectively utilizing the dense Irish forest to evoke a sense of isolation and dread. The film’s cinematography captures the eerie beauty of the setting, with the forest itself becoming a character that looms over the protagonists. The use of natural lighting and wide shots enhances the feeling of vulnerability experienced by the characters. However, while the visual elements are commendable, they are insufficient to compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings.​

Character Development and Performances

The film’s central characters are underdeveloped, making it challenging for the audience to connect with them meaningfully. Mina’s backstory, involving guilt over her mother’s death, is introduced but not explored in depth, rendering her motivations and emotional state somewhat opaque. Dakota Fanning delivers a competent performance, but the script offers her limited material to work with, resulting in a protagonist who feels more like a plot device than a fully realized individual. Similarly, the supporting characters—Madeline, Ciara, and Daniel—are defined by broad archetypes and lack substantive arcs, diminishing the impact of their interactions and collective plight.

Narrative Structure and Pacing

The film’s pacing is uneven, with a promising setup that gradually succumbs to predictability. Early scenes effectively build tension through ambiguity and restraint, allowing the audience’s imagination to amplify the sense of fear. However, as the plot progresses, it leans heavily on familiar horror conventions, such as characters making ill-advised decisions and the inclusion of exposition-heavy dialogues that dilute the suspense. The revelation of the creatures’ origins and intentions lacks originality and fails to deliver a satisfying payoff, leaving the narrative feeling derivative.​

“The Watchers” explores surveillance, isolation, and the human response to fear. The concept of being constantly observed by unseen entities serves as a metaphor for contemporary anxieties about privacy and control. However, the film does not delve deeply into these themes, opting for surface-level scares and plot twists. This results in a thematic exploration that feels cursory and underdeveloped.

Comparative Analysis

The film draws inevitable comparisons to the works of M. Night Shyamalan, particularly in its emphasis on atmospheric tension and narrative twists. However, unlike the elder Shyamalan’s more successful endeavours, “The Watchers” lacks the cohesive storytelling and character depth that underpin compelling suspense. The film’s premise resembles other horror narratives involving isolated groups besieged by mysterious entities, yet it fails to distinguish itself within this subgenre.​

Critical Reception

Critics have viewed mainly “The Watchers” as an underwhelming debut for Ishana Night Shyamalan. Reviews have highlighted the film’s atmospheric visuals and competent technical execution but have criticized its lacklustre narrative and shallow character development. For instance, Decider’s review suggests skipping the film, noting that despite some strong performances and technical proficiency, the weak storyline and character development render it a disappointing addition to the horror genre.​

Conclusion

While “The Watchers” showcases Ishana Night Shyamalan’s potential in crafting visually engaging scenes and establishing an eerie atmosphere, it ultimately falls short due to its reliance on clichéd horror tropes, underdeveloped characters, and a predictable narrative. The film serves as a reminder that compelling storytelling and character depth are essential to effective horror cinema. Future endeavours by Shyamalan may benefit from a more nuanced approach to character development and thematic exploration, building upon the visual strengths demonstrated in this debut.​

References

Decider. (2024, December 31). Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Watchers’ on Netflix, Ishana Night Shyamalan’s Twisty, Underwhelming Directorial Debut. https://decider.com/2024/12/31/the-watchers-streaming-movie-review/

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