4K/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Reviews

4K Ultra HD™ Review: Ishana Shyamalan’s “The Watchers” Is A Compelling, Creepy Irish Fantasy Horror

A young artist gets stranded in an extensive, immaculate forest in western Ireland, where, after finding shelter, she becomes trapped alongside three strangers, stalked by mysterious creatures each night.

As a seasoned film critic, I’ve learned to trust my instincts. When a major studio like Warner Bros. withholds a movie from press screenings, it rarely signals good things. The decision to keep Ishana Shyamalan’s big-screen directorial debut, “The Watchers,” shrouded in secrecy, set off alarm bells. The ensuing tidal wave of negativity threatened to sink the film before it even had a chance to open. But I’ve always been drawn to the allure of an underdog story, the potential for a dark horse to defy expectations. Could this supernatural horror film, so readily dismissed by critics and shrouded in mystery, be more than initially meets the eye?

Ishana Shyamalan’s “The Watchers” spins the haunting tale of Mina (Dakota Fanning), an American expat who has found solace working in a quaint pet store in the west of Ireland. Her life takes a dark turn when a routine parrot delivery escalates into a treacherous journey through a foreboding, ancient forest. Here, Mina stumbles upon “The Coop,” a mysterious, bunker-like refuge inhabited by an enigmatic group of survivors. They live in constant fear of “The Watchers,” malevolent entities that claim dominion over the night. As Mina plots her desperate escape, she begins to unravel the dark, twisted threads of Irish mythology that bind them to this haunted realm.

Shyamalan’s direction masterfully weaves a moody tapestry reminiscent of her father’s atmospheric style, yet she carves her own unique path. The stunning widescreen cinematography immerses you in the heart of the forest, making you a silent witness to the unfolding horror. While occasional narrative stumbles threaten to derail the carefully crafted tension, Shyamalan’s ambitious exploration of folklore and faerie lore propels the story toward a haunting, chilling climax rooted in a terrifying reality.

At the heart of the film is Fanning’s Mina, a complex figure driven by grief and isolation. Her determination contrasts vividly with the lively Irish trio, adding depth to the cast. The ensemble delivers solid performances that elevate the film, making it easy to overlook occasional missteps. “The Watchers” is a flawed yet promising debut that showcases Shyamalan’s potential to become a force in the horror genre.

Ishana Shyamalan has emerged from her father’s long shadow with a film that, while imperfect, is a compelling exploration of atmospheric horror and mythological terror. “The Watchers” is a testament that sometimes, the most overlooked films can leave the most lasting impressions. It’s a potent reminder to never judge a movie by its marketing campaign, for in the dark of the cinema, anything can happen.

Now available on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital

 

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James McDonald

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, James is a Movie Critic with 40 years of experience in the film industry as an Award-Winning Filmmaker. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association.