Director: Ishana Night Shyamalan Cast: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouere Where: In theatres. Rating: **1/2 This directorial debut of Ishana Night Shyamalan, endeavours to carve out its niche within the horror genre while echoing the atmospheric tension familiar from her father, M. Night Shyamalan's works.
Adapted from A.M. Shine's novel, the film plunges viewers into an eerie Irish forest, setting the stage for a chilling narrative that, despite its promise, ultimately loses its way.
The narrative opens with a gripping prologue, showcasing Shyamalan's knack for crafting palpable tension and a gothic atmosphere. A terrified backpacker tries to escape the ominous woods, only to be dragged away by an unseen force. This sequence effectively sets a high bar for the suspense and horror to follow, promising a tale filled with spine-tingling moments.
As the narrative shifts to its protagonist, Mina (Dakota Fanning), the momentum begins to wane. Mina, an American working in Dublin, carries the weight of unresolved childhood trauma. Her journey to deliver a rare bird leads her into the same mystical forest, where she becomes trapped and finds refuge in a modernist building.
This structure, serving as both a sanctuary and a prison, introduces a new layer of intrigue with its two-way mirror wall, through which the titular Watchers observe the human occupants. The film's cast of characters, including the compassionate Ciara (Georgina Campbell), the restl.