The first fatal flaw of Ishana Night Shyamalan’s feature debut, ‘The Watchers’, lies in the confusion surrounding the title itself. In North America, it is referred to as ‘The Watchers’, while in the UK and Ireland, it is known as ‘The Watched’. This discrepancy is reflective of the overall chaotic and disorganized plotting of the film. Working from a folk-horror novel by A.M. Shine, Shyamalan tries to execute a simple single-location genre premise, centered around a cabin-in-the-woods story. However, despite this seemingly straightforward setup, the film manages to be both unnecessarily complex and almost entirely uninteresting. The opening scene sets the tone with a voiceover detailing a mysterious forest that lures in lost souls, only to have them never return. This sets the stage for a series of horror tropes that fail to deliver any real depth or intrigue to the narrative.
As the story progresses, we are introduced to Mina, played by Dakota Fanning, a pet-shop worker living in Galway. Her character is plagued by existential torment, still grieving the loss of her mother after 15 years. In a contrived attempt to add depth to her character, Mina puts on a wig and indulges in a meaningless encounter at a bar, only to shift focus to delivering a rare parrot to a zoo the following day. This sudden shift in the plot leaves the audience questioning the relevance of these hollow subplots and the lack of meaningful character development.
Shyamalan’s decision to draw on Irish mythology and introduce the concept of changelings as malevolent fairies capable of taking human form adds a layer of complexity that the film struggles to navigate. The introduction of a hidden underground bunker and the mysterious figure known as ‘The Professor’ further convolutes the narrative, as he reveals crucial information in a series of exposition-heavy .Mov files. This excessive reliance on exposition not only hinders the pacing of the film but also diminishes any sense of mystery or suspense that had been building up.
Lack of Coherent Storytelling and Unrealized Potential
Despite Shyamalan’s proficiency in creating effective horror moments, ‘The Watchers’ falls short in terms of cohesive storytelling and adherence to its established rules. The film introduces certain guidelines, such as the warning to never turn your back on the mirror, only to abandon them without consequence. Mina’s heavy-handed backstory and hallucinations detract from the overall narrative, adding a forced layer of allegory that fails to resonate with the audience. The film’s extended runtime, with a twisty and unsatisfying coda, further highlights its inability to realize its potential and deliver a satisfying conclusion.
‘The Watchers’ is a prime example of a film that struggles to strike a balance between complex storytelling and engaging narrative. Despite moments of genuine horror and effective scares, the film’s convoluted plot, underdeveloped characters, and overreliance on exposition ultimately lead to its downfall. Shyamalan’s ambitious attempt to blend folklore with contemporary horror results in a muddled and unsatisfying viewing experience that fails to leave a lasting impact on its audience. Ultimately, ‘The Watchers’ serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of prioritizing style over substance in filmmaking.
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