You guys. I am actually extremely sad to see this blog go. This is my final post of the year, and I have had a lot of fun blogging about some of my favorite shows and movies. It feels like just yesterday I was writing about my absolute favorite show, breaking bad, but so much has happened since our first blog posts in August. And even though I can’t always say I was enthusiastic every time I saw a blog assignment show up in my Canvas calendar, I have really loved journaling about some of my favorite series and films and introducing them to you guys. 

Today we will be discussing a Netflix original which took the platform by storm as a short thriller series, The Watcher. My friend Cyrus convinced me and my English 137H bestie, Shreya Gorawala, to check out The Watcher. At first, after watching (lol) the trailer, I honestly thought it was going to be super corny and camp; additionally Cyrus does not have the best taste (his favorite show is Survivor). However, we gave it a shot, and ended up being pleasantly surprised. 

Series Poster; image source

The Watcher follows a family who moves from New York City to a gorgeous, million dollar mansion in the New Jersey suburb of Westfield. The house is incredible; it’s huge, has an amazing pool, and is worth upwards of 3 million. The Brannock family puts quite literally all of their money into the home, and all is well after they move in. I mean, the neighbors are all kind of bizzare, but that could probably be overlooked if the family wasn’t literally being stalked. A couple days after moving in, the Brannocks discover a strange letter in the mailbox from “The watcher” who is stalking them, seemingly with the hopes of making them move out of their new home. The watcher is obsessed with their house, and knows everything about it and all of its previous residents. 

The “watcher’s” favorite house; image source

The show outlines the family’s journey trying to remain connected through the perils of fear, financial issues, and Dean and Nora’s shaky marriage. Is it possible? You’ll have to watch to find out. Furthermore, the show is actually based on a true story; If you read up about the true case, some of the creepy details portrayed throughout The Watcher become even more frightening. 

In terms of certain elements about the show, it is most definitely a mystery. The series is less than 10 episodes, and the season finale definitely leaves a viewer craving more. I really enjoy shows in which you really don’t understand what is happening until the end, and The Watcher does a very good job of employing that tactic. I will say, if you are easily annoyed, certain characters will absolutely get on your nerves. I have a major problem with the way that Dean, the father, handles this situation. He is not transparent at all with his wife or children about his involvement in handling their stalker, his financial decisions, or his interactions with others in Westfield. He becomes obsessed with the case, and does not think before he acts, which burns bridges and affects the whole family; when he tries to be selfless and protect his family he actually ends up being selfish and making the situation worse. He accuses neighbors and other townspeople left and right throughout the show, and his rash behavior really bothered me. Overall, though, I would give it a watch if you enjoy thrillers. I finished it in about a week, and it was super entertaining. Not a must watch, but not a waste of time. 

Key characters throughout the show; image source