Ishana Night Shyamalan's promising debut feature, The Watchers, captivates with its striking visuals and moments of genuine intrigue. The film's exploration of mimicry, voyeurism, and identity is thought-provoking and visually compelling, creating an eerie and captivating atmosphere. However, frustrating character decisions and exposition dumps detract from its potential.

Dakota Fanning stars as Mina, a young woman searching for her estranged sister in the eerie forests of Ireland. During her journey, she becomes trapped and encounters three other stranded individuals: Olwen Fouéré as the enigmatic Madeleine, Georgina Campbell as the pragmatic Ciara, and Oliver Finnegan as the cautious Daniel. The group takes refuge in an isolated room with a one-way mirror, where mysterious entities watch them when the sun goes down. Madeleine warns that anyone who breaks the rules will be killed.

The film's premise provides a unique and rich ground for the thematic exploration of mimicry, voyeurism, and the performative aspects of identity. The group of strangers performs each night for an unseen audience, with the only instruction being to be themselves. Mina's struggle with her identity, having enjoyed dressing up in wigs and makeup to go out as someone else, raises profound questions about the nature of identity and how much of it is simply copying what we see in others.

The recurring motif of twins symbolizes duality and the blurred line between self and other. Mina's relationship with her twin sister underscores the tension between individuality and the inherent connection shared by twins. Mina struggles with her identity as she grapples with the notion of being a unique individual versus a mirrored image of someone else.

Stuck in "the coop," as the group calls their refuge, they have access to a television and a copy of Love Island Season 3, a Big Brother-style reality show they watch repeatedly. This voyeurism mirrors their situation, with the unknown watchers peering into their lives every evening. The idea of mimicry extends beyond the supernatural entities to the characters themselves, who are forced to navigate societal expectations and perform versions of themselves under constant observation.

The film delves into the performative aspects of identity, where the characters must continuously project certain behaviors to maintain their safety. This scenario reflects broader societal pressures where individuals often conform to external expectations, sacrificing their true selves. Mina's habit of adopting different personas when she goes out in wigs and makeup highlights this theme, illustrating how people often mask their true identities to fit in or escape reality.

Shyamalan's artistic eye created a visually stunning horror aesthetic, capturing Ireland's lush, ominous landscapes and infusing the supernatural elements with depth. The cinematography, focusing on the beautiful Irish scenery, gives the film an ethereal quality while maintaining an eerie horror atmosphere. This visual combination draws the viewer into the film's unsettling, mystical world, heightening the narrative's overall impact.

As the film progresses, it shifts focus from thematic richness to establishing the lore of the creatures. This shift, likely due to the source material, marks a turning point in the film. The film becomes very exposition-heavy, focusing on explaining the world and its inhabitants rather than exploring the intriguing themes set up in the first half.

The script is also marred by typical horror tropes, including characters making illogical decisions. Some characters are too trusting of Madeleine's words, which detracts from the overall believability of the story. For instance, despite being supposedly trapped in a "coop," the characters never react as one would expect. They take Madeleine's word for months without truly exploring every avenue for possible escape or thoroughly examining their confines. To be fair, Shyamalan held reasonably close to the source material, which may explain these narrative choices.

Despite its script issues and somewhat disjointed structure, The Watchers offers a unique viewing experience. The film's striking visuals, thought-provoking themes, and eerie atmosphere create an unsettling and captivating viewing experience. Shyamalan's potential as a director is evident, and her future projects are worth anticipating. While the film has drawbacks, many can be attributed to the source material. The Watchers leaves a lasting visual impression, sparking introspection long after the initial viewing.

— 3 / 5 ⭐