John Porter’s (Jeff Moffitt) life is spiraling out of control, and he can’t figure out why. As he searches for meaning in an empty world he begins to question his own reality and sanity. People are watching him and it makes no sense, but John is sure that The Watchers exist and that they are following him everywhere. Life comes at John hard, but he refuses to give up even when all seems lost. An examination of the human psyche, The Watchers questions all that we know--well, all that we think we know.
This drama/thriller dives deep into the human mind, and it requires viewers to examine their own well-being and mental capacities--and viewers are taken on a journey almost magical. The writing is something truly brilliant, and while the primary purpose of The Watchers appears to be to journey through the mind, it’s full of so many twists and turns, so many unexpected shifts in the narrative, that viewers have no choice but to feel as if they were on a roller coaster. The ups and downs are massive, regularly throwing viewers for a loop and keeping them on their toes.
As The Watchers develops and viewers are pulled deeper and deeper in John’s narrative they are immersed in a world that, in one way or another, mirrors their own--but also enters a new realm that examines aspects of the world with which many may not be familiar. That story plays out in a smooth and cohesive fashion, allowing viewers to soak up every message, every metaphor, and every wonderfully inventive aspect of The Watchers. While the story appears fractured on the surface as John navigates his rocky world, the reality is that every piece of this film is well-developed and executed to near perfection. All of this is a testament to the writing of Moffitt and writer/director Sy Cody White, as they construct a unique but relevant testimony of life and all of its plights.
The issue with The Watchers, as integral as he is to the development of the story, is Moffitt. I struggled throughout to appreciate the acting--particularly the aforementioned Moffitt’s. There is something just slightly off about his performance---meaning he’s certainly not a bad actor, but that he fails to perfectly capture the essence of the scenes in which he is present (and that’s, well, all of them). Missing the mark in terms of emotion, Moffitt’s acting sucks some of the life out of the vibrant film. The Watchers, as well as the story is relatable, doesn’t resonate as well as it could due to the acting of the film’s lead.
That emotional vigor exists throughout The Watchers, but it becomes somewhat dull at times. Through the cinematography (which is wonderfully effective), the incredible storytelling, and the relevance The Watchers resonates with nearly everyone. Sure, there are some bumps along the road--the intentional ones make the film better--the unintentional, well, they hinder the final product to a degree. However, even in moments of struggle The Watchers can teach you a lesson, and the thrill of the ride through John’s mind is one for the ages.
Directed by Sy Cody White.
Written by Jeff Moffitt & Sy Cody White.
Starring Jeff Moffitt, Timothy J. Cox, Peter Francis Span, Kathleen Boddington, Darrin Biss, Rich Sab, Robert Nesi, James Konczyk, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
Comments