In her feature debut as a director, Ishana Night Shyamalan demonstrates a promising affinity for visuals, atmosphere, and suspense, reminiscent of her father’s style. While her storytelling, particularly pacing, still has room for growth, I am genuinely intrigued by what Ishana Shyamalan delivers in her first feature film. It’s a journey that leaves me hopeful and optimistic for her future projects as she hones her skills in writing and developing stories that will truly captivate and move audiences.
Dakota Fanning stars as Mina, a talented artist who remains haunted and tormented by her wounds from her troubled past. Living in Ireland, Mina works a simple but honest job at a local pet shop but longs for a more meaningful life. She agrees to deliver a bird to a specific location but ends stranded in an undeveloped forest after her car breaks down. She eventually finds herself trapped in an enchanted forest where she encounters others like her who cannot escape.
Mina takes shelter with three other people, who also find themselves trapped in a compound where bizarre and seemingly malevolent creatures watch them like humans watch reality television. Olwen Fouéré portrays Madeline, a more mature prisoner who knows the rules of their existence but also desperately wishes to escape. Madeline, Ciara (Georgina Campbell), and Daniel (Oliver Finnegan) do what they can to escape their entrapment and eventually discover the facts behind their imprisonment.
The most intriguing aspect of this movie is the element of surprise. I highly recommend my readers go into this movie completely blindly. While loosely based on Irish folklore, the movie’s plot was a mystery, enhancing my viewing experience. I can’t speak for those familiar with A.M. Shine’s story or the mythology of Irish legend. Still, I was frustrated by Shyamalan’s pacing, particularly at the end of the movie’s second and third acts.
For those expecting a one-two punch of a twist, like M. Knight Shyamalan usually delivers, this film will ultimately disappoint. Ishana Shyamalan, instead, takes a longer, more drawn-out approach that bogs the film down with too much exposition at once. This approach waters down the impact of the story and has the potential to bore her audience ultimately.
The movie benefits significantly from a strong cast, including Fanning, Campbell, Finnegan, and Olwen Fouéré. Fouéré’s performance, in particular, brings a touch of classical theatrical style, adding depth to the movie. Fanning’s portrayal of Mina is strong and deliberate, keeping the audience invested in the unfolding events. This solid cast performance instills a sense of confidence in the quality of acting in the movie.
The Watchers succeeds in the atmosphere, frights, and tension but ultimately falls short by the end. It is still worth a watch, but I would only spend a little money to see it. Ishana Night Shyamalan certainly shows great promise as a director, and I hope she continues to further develop and grow as a storyteller. Her debut is now available theatrically, but is a film I recommend my readers to wait for when it is available for streaming, and to approach it with moderate expectations.