SXSW 2022: WATCHER

Julia (Maika Monroe) and Francis (Karl Glusman) have moved to Romania for Francis’ new job, he is part Romanian and is fluent in the language, Julia, an actress, speaks only English.  Their apartment building faces another large apartment building across the street. Julia mostly spends her days un-productively, and often looks out of the large uncurtained windows. One day she notices someone looking back at her from the darkness of an apartment across the street. She mentions it to her husband and even calls the police, who go the the watcher’s apartment and talk to him. The man is upset and nothing comes of it.

One days she notices the man following her to a movie and then to the grocery store. Again the police are involved but the watcher talks his way out of it and even files a complaint against Julia.   At this point no one, not even her husband, believes the man is any kind of a threat, in the meantime a serial killer of women is slashing his way through their neighborhood.   When this all comes to a chilling, violent resolution, Julia is on her own against the watcher.

After a slow start this is an exciting and suspenseful film that I can recommend. Directed by Chloe Okuno (V/H/S/94)

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