(Updated 04/22/2024)
One of the creepiest new movies of the summer is likely to be THE WATCHERS. Dakota Fanning stars in the movie as one of four people trapped in a mysterious structure while even more mysterious presences watch them from outside.
THE WATCHERS is directed by Ishana Shyamalan, the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan. Judging by the first trailer, which you can watch below, there's a good chance that she won't merely be mentioned in connection with her father for very long. Here's everything you need to know about THE WATCHERS.
What's the Release Date for The Watchers?
Warner Bros. will release THE WATCHERS in movie theaters on June 14, 2024.
Watch the New Trailer for The Watchers
The first teaser trailer set up the unusual premise — a woman lost in a forest becomes somehow more lost when she finds what seems to be a safe resting place — and suggested many questions. Who are the other people in that bunker? How long have they been there? What is really watching them? And how big of a clue is the "property of Prof RK" label taped on the back of that DVD case?
The new trailer, which you can see above, shows us a lot more without actually answering any questions. Sometimes a trailer for this sort of movie seems to give too much away, but that's not the case here.
Is The Watchers Ishana Shyamalan's First Movie?
The eldest daughter of M. Night Shyamalan makes her feature directing debut with THE WATCHERS. But Ishana Shyamalan is not new to the process of filmmaking. She has been working with her father (who also produces THE WATCHERS) for several years on the series "The Servant." Ishana Shyamalan wrote ten episodes of that series and has served as a producer on that, as well.
Making movies is difficult, but making a TV series can be even more demanding, as you've got to create far more material in a shorter time frame. So there's no better filmmaking boot camp than working in TV. Looking at this trailer, it's clear that she has her own good eye for images, too.
The Watchers Is Based on a Novel by a Relatively New Horror Author
In 2021, Irish author A.M. Shine published his debut novel, "The Watchers." He followed it in 2022 with "The Creeper." Both books draw heavily on Irish folklore; both foster a sense of unease and dread.
With a third book on the way and a wide-release movie based on his first novel, Shine is poised to become one of the best-known new horror authors.
Who's in the Cast of The Watchers?
Dakota Fanning leads THE WATCHERS cast as Mina, an artist who finds herself trapped in a strange structure after being stranded in a forest. There are also suggestions that Mina is… not entirely honest about some aspects of her life. That will almost certainly be important to the story.
There are three other people in the house, played by Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouéré.
There are additional cast members as well, but at this point their identities, and details about their characters, have not been revealed.
A Book Sequel to The Watchers Is on the Way
It's too early to know if we might see more than one movie with these characters, but Shine is preparing to publish a sequel to "The Watchers." The new book, called "Stay in the Light," will arrive in October 2024. We don't know much about the sequel, but a short excerpt is available on Bloomsbury's website. (If you haven't read "The Watchers," tread lightly to avoid possible spoilers for the movie.
THE WATCHERS opens on June 14.
All images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.