Watcher (2022)

Rating: 3.5/5

Plot Summary

"Watcher," directed by Chloe Okuno in her feature debut, is a psychological thriller that made a splash at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Starring Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, and Burn Gorman, the film tells the chilling tale of Julia, a young actress who moves to Romania with her boyfriend, Francis. Feeling isolated and struggling with the language barrier, Julia spends her days alone and starts noticing a shadowy figure watching her from a nearby building. Her unease grows as she keeps seeing this figure around the city, like in a movie theater and a grocery store.

As the city's fear of a serial killer called "The Spider" grows, Julia's paranoia goes through the roof, making it hard to tell what's real and what's not. The film tackles themes of isolation, paranoia, and the male gaze, showing just how terrifying it is to feel unsafe and unheard. Julia's worries are brushed off by everyone, even her boyfriend, who just doesn’t get how scared she is. If you love psychological thrillers and suspenseful, character-driven horror, you’ll definitely enjoy this film.

Chopping Block - Hits & Misses

Hits

• Monroe's portrayal of Julia is a standout, capturing the character's gradual descent into fear and paranoia with nuance and intensity. Her performance anchors the film, making Julia's psychological unraveling both believable and compelling. She acts her butt off in this one—her performance feels raw and authentic.

• This film is perfectly crafted to build suspense. The use of long takes and voyeuristic camera angles makes you feel watched, adding to the unease. The cinematography captures the stark, sometimes claustrophobic interiors and the vast, intimidating urban landscapes of Bucharest, really cranking up the film's tension.

• "Watcher" nails the slow-burn suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The pacing lets the tension build gradually, and you can really feel Julia's fear growing as the story goes on. The atmospheric score and sound design really amplify the sense of dread that fills the film.

Misses

• The film's deliberate pacing might feel slow to some viewers, making the tension lag. I love a slow-burn, but some scenes felt like they dragged on forever, while others zipped by too quickly. It felt like a bit of a roller coaster.

• Even though Monroe's performance is strong, Julia's character feels a bit thin when it comes to backstory and motivation. This made it hard for me to fully connect with her on an emotional level. Monroe is super talented, and her acting helps bridge that gap, but knowing more about Julia would have really helped create a stronger emotional connection.

• "Watcher" pays homage to classic psychological/mystery horrors but never quite establishes its own unique identity. Some plot points felt predictable, especially if you're a seasoned thriller fan. I was hoping for a bit more originality.

Full Review

• Scare Factor — Points: 1 "Watcher" excels in creating a sense of fear, suspense, and unease through its atmosphere and psychological tension. The feeling of being watched and the constant threat of the unseen enemy really kept me on edge throughout the film. Although I wouldn't consider this a typical "horror" movie, it totally nails the thriller aspect.

• Storyline and Plot — Points: .5 The plot does a great job of exploring Julia's descent into paranoia, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The suspense is maintained with well-timed reveals and the constant threat of "The Spider." As I mentioned earlier, the storyline felt a bit predictable at times and lacked some unique flair.

• Atmosphere and Setting — Points: .5 The urban landscape of Bucharest is used to great effect, really enhancing Julia's sense of isolation and alienation. The stark, claustrophobic interiors contrast with the vast, intimidating exteriors, ramping up the film's tension. It was beautifully shot and does an amazing job of making you feel like there's danger lurking around every corner.

• Special Effects and Makeup — Points: .5 The film relies more on atmosphere and tension than on special effects. The minimalistic approach to horror, focusing on psychological rather than visual scares, was super effective in maintaining a sense of dread.

• Acting and Performances — Points: 1 Maika Monroe delivers a strong performance, capturing Julia's psychological unraveling. Karl Glusman and Burn Gorman provide strong support, with Gorman's portrayal of the mysterious figure adding to the film's creepiness. (Like, SO creepy! He gave me literal chills.)

Final Verdict

"Watcher" is a stand-out psychological thriller that creates a gripping atmosphere of tension and dread. Maika Monroe's strong performance, combined with Chloe Okuno's effective direction, makes for an intense viewing experience. Despite some pacing issues and familiar genre elements, the film's exploration of paranoia and the male gaze offers a thought-provoking twist on the thriller genre. If you're into suspenseful, character-driven horror like "Rear Window" and "Repulsion," "Watcher" delivers a chilling narrative that will have you questioning reality and fear. This film is a testament to Okuno's potential as a director and Monroe's prowess as a leading actress in the horror genre. Just make sure to keep the lights on and the blinds closed—you never know who's watching!

Rating: 3.5/5

What did you think of "Watcher"?

Head over to Threads, Instagram or Facebook to join in on the conversation. Check out our website for more horror reviews, and for the latest horror news.