Mike Flanagan Loves This Terrifying “Hitchcockian” Netflix Thriller
Maika Monroe is steadily creating a genre resume that has more than secured her status as a legendary scream queen. She will one day be to Gen Z what Jamie Lee Curtis is to the Gen X and Millennial generations. One aspect that makes Monroe especially noteworthy is that she isn’t using the horror space as a stepping stone. She’s fully committed to the genre and continues to show up in exciting roles that allow her to flex her creative muscles. In doing so, she has captured the attention of one Mike Flanagan. He previously reviewed the 2022 slow-burning horror thriller Watcher on Letterboxd, praising Monroe’s performance within, and even going so far as to label the film “Hitchcockian.”
People bandy the term Hitchcockian about often, so much so that it’s almost meaningless at this point. But Flanagan isn’t most people, and when he speaks, I listen. He is a master of modern horror, and his word carries plenty of weight.
If you’re wondering about the setup for the Hitchcockian horror thriller that captivated Mike Flanagan, I’ve got you covered: The proceedings catch up with Julia (Monroe), who relocates to Bucharest with her partner, Francis (Karl Glusman). As they are settling in, Julia cannot shake the feeling that she’s being watched. Is she in grave danger? Or is it all in her imagination? You’ll just have to wait and see.
A Voyeuristic Nightmare
Now that you know the particulars, you’re probably curious to hear a more in-depth rundown of what Flanagan has to say. And I am here to help. Flanagan critiqued the film on Letterboxd a few years back, praising Chloe Okuno’s direction and calling attention to the harrowing climax.
Chloe Okuno’s Watcher might be the closest a modern film has come to earning the word “Hitchcockian,” Flanagan begins. “Maika Monroe and Burn Gorman are perfectly cast and deliver stellar performances, while Okuno’s direction infuses the viewer with acute paranoia throughout the running time. A quiet conversation on the subway makes for one of the most suspenseful scenes in recent memory, and the final ten minutes of the film are jaw-dropping.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Flanagan’s rave review has you eager to experience the film. If so, you can presently find it streaming on Netflix. Hooray for good news.
I’ve only seen Watcher once to date, but I think I might try to pay it a repeat visit before Netflix removes it. The tension is well-rendered, and the slow-burn approach pays dividends in the end.
Watch the Trailer Here
If you decide to check out the flick, make sure to let me know how it lands for you. You can find me on Twitter or Instagram as @FunWithHorror.
Categorized: Streaming News
