“The Watchers,” Ishana Shyamalan’s debut film, presents two distinct narratives. The first 45 minutes, heavily featured in the trailer, introduce us to Mina (Dakota Fanning), who embarks on a journey to deliver a bird to a zoo in Belfast. Her adventure takes an unexpected turn when her car breaks down in a forest. As night approaches, she encounters a woman named Madeline who urgently advises her to seek refuge in a bunker to avoid certain death. Inside the bunker, Mina meets Ciara and Daniel, who inform her of strict rules to follow due to a mysterious presence watching them in the forest.
I found the initial segment gripping and immersive. The suspense of what lurks in the forest kept my mind racing with possibilities. The tension mounted each time the characters came close to breaking the rules, heightening my anticipation and fear for their safety.
However, the second half of the movie took a different direction, culminating in a less satisfying reveal and an inevitable escape attempt. While the twist held some interest, it ultimately left me underwhelmed and disappointed with the conclusion.
Overall, “The Watchers” managed to hold my attention for most of its runtime, showcasing Ishana’s inherited storytelling prowess. Despite my mixed feelings about the ending, the film’s engaging first half made it worth watching. Now, having seen this, I am even more excited for her father M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming movie, “Trap,” hitting theaters in August.
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