“Watcher” (2022) starring Maika Monroe / Z-View

Watcher (2022)

Director:  Chloe Okuno

Writer: Chloe Okuno based on the screenplay by Zack Ford

Stars: Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn Gorman

Tagline:  Evil Wants to be Seen.

The Plot…

Julia (Monroe) and Francis (Glusman) are newlyweds. They’ve just moved to Bucharest, Romania for Francis’ job,  While Francis is at work, Julia is alone.  She doesn’t know anyone and isn’t able to speak the language.  When Julia sees a man in the apartment across the street constantly staring into her apartment, it begins to creep her out.  Then she notices a man following her.  Julia tells her husband but he thinks it’s just her nerves.

When Julia learns that a serial killer known as The Spider is torturing and beheading women in Bucharest, she is sure that the killer is planning for her to be his next victim.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Maika Monroe is very good in this role.  I look forward to seeing more of her in the future.

Chloe Okuno adapted Zack Ford’s screenplay.  Ford had originally set the story in Brooklyn.  It was a smart move to change the location to Bucharest.  It made Julia even more isolated and increased the probability that her nerves were playing tricks on her.

Burn Gorman was excellent as the creepy neighbor.

Watcher is a slow burn.  The ending plays with the viewer.  Overall there’s a Hitchcock feel to the film and that’s never a bad thing.

Watcher (2022) rates 3 of 5 stars.