Movie Review: The Watchers (2010)

The Watchers (2010) - USA - Thriller - Not Rated

Independent Short Subject - Two Man Crew Productions - 28 mins

Directed by Sy Cody White

Written by Jeff Moffitt and Sy Cody White

Starring Jeff Moffitt, Timothy J. Cox, Peter Francis Span, Kathleen Boddington, Darrin Biss, James Konczyk, Mike Sgroi

A tense, evocative psychological thriller that comes at you like a freight train even Superman can't stop.

John Porter is an accountant by day and what he does in his off time... is apparently everybody's business. Or so he thinks. Strangers lurking outside his apartment and in the streets and subway. An intruder in his home leaving notes for him, but staying just out of sight. He is being followed hour by hour, minute by minute, or so he thinks. Is he paranoid, paranoid delusional, or is he the only one seeing the truth?

With tension thicker than a London fog pumped up by claustrophobic framing and a pulse pounding soundtrack The Watchers is a heart attack inducing thriller. Not since the likes of 70s spy thrillers, Marathon Man comes to mind, do I think I've seen a film that keeps you on the edge of your seat to this degree with tension, twists and the unknown. This certainly was not the best choice of a film to watch just before planning to go to bed as the pace and tension are like a shot of adrenaline followed by a ten cup coffee chaser.

Director Sy Cody White frays your nerves with tight framing; and from someone who suffers from claustrophobia, damn you and a job well done at the same time. What White puts on a plate for you is surgical in its precision, and harrowing in its isolation. Focusing on expressions and seeming threats with only a fleeting glimpse just out of the frame has the viewer feeling the paranoia and outright fear John Porter must be feeling, while your heart is no doubt feeling like it wants to escape from your body.

Jeff Moffitt plays the main role of John Porter, as well he was co-writer of this along with director Sy Cody White. And as co-creator of this I say Jeff you are a sick and twisted man, and my congratulations on that. In his role as John Porter he evokes an increasingly stressed man whose world, and mental stability, is falling apart at his feet. As the focus is so much on his character it is to his credit this works so well as he brings John Porter fervently to cold sweat inducing life.

A secondary player in this is Timothy J. Cox as Dr. Orwell (cute). Cox plays a wonderful, not really a duality, role showing a distinction between the business side of the doctor and the leisure side. In sessions he uses his rich talent with body language, such as leaning in, reclining, and the use of his hands, to enhance his dialogue, and therefore the viewer's unconscious response, in each scene he's in. One of the many subtleties in this film which drives the mood and pace.

One of the problems with thrillers and horror movies is in having a great build-up to have a let down of a conclusion that does that not even come close to the film which preceded it. The Watchers does not suffer from this at all as the conclusion neatly wraps up this package with as much shock and awe as everything that preceded it. Not a moment is missed from beginning to end in a film that is going to slam you into a wall, but get you up to the speed of sound before it does that. The Watchers is its own experience from beginning to end that does not let up for a second, so hold onto to your heart.

My Rating: 5 Fingers; I give it a high five... as soon as I can wrench my clutching hand from my chest.