Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut The Watchers seems to be one of the most intriguing horror movies of 2024, potentially surpassing her father M. Night's recent works. Following the success of The Sixth Sense in 1999, M. Night's movies followed a similar formula of high-concept ideas with relatable characters. While this worked well for films like Unbreakable or Signs, his focus on directing blockbusters was not as successful.
Shyamalan's meticulous style did not translate well to big-budget films like The Last Airbender or After Earth, leading him back to suspense thrillers where he found success with films like Split or Knock at the Cabin. Following in her father's footsteps, Ishana Night Shyamalan is venturing into the horror/suspense genre with The Watchers, a move that could potentially solidify her own place in the industry.
Ishana Night Shyamalan's The Watchers Already Looks Impressive
The trailer for Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut is seriously eerie
The Watchers Dakota Fanning mirror - The trailer for Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut is seriously eerie - Ishana Night Shyamalan's The Watchers Already Looks Impressive
Ishana Night Shyamalan's The Watchers is an adaptation of A. M. Shine's novel, featuring Dakota Fanning as Mina. The story revolves around Mina and a group of strangers who find themselves confined in a cabin in a remote Irish forest. Every night, they are under surveillance by unknown entities, forcing them to devise a plan to break free from their seemingly hopeless predicament. The trailer for The Watchers is visually captivating, showcasing impressive cinematography that evokes a pervasive sense of unease in just a short preview.
The central hook of The Watchers is reminiscent of M. Night's The Village, but Ishana Night Shyamalan's film is a full-fledged horror movie, unlike the period drama with hints of suspense in the former.
The film boasts a modest cast, including horror movie veterans like Georgina Campbell from Barbarian and Olwen Fouéré from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022. Shyamalan not only directed the film but also penned the screenplay.
M. Night Shyamalan Has Never Properly Cracked Suspense Horror
M. Night's horror movies are a genre onto themselves
M. Night Shyamalan looking sideways - M. Night's horror movies are a genre onto themselves - M. Night Shyamalan Has Never Properly Cracked Suspense Horror
While M. Night's films are often categorized as horror, they are actually a blend of genres. For example, The Sixth Sense may have spooky elements, but it is primarily a drama. Similarly, The Village and Knock at the Cabin also mix suspense with deeper emotional themes. Even in Signs, which has intense moments, the focus is on a family's journey rather than jump scares. M. Night's movies tend to lean towards horror without relying on typical genre cliches like excessive violence or loud scares.
M. Night Shyamalan's upcoming film, Trap, is a psychological thriller starring Josh Hartnett set to be released on August 2, 2024.
He is often compared to Alfred Hitchcock rather than James Wan, setting his work apart in a unique and sometimes controversial manner. M. Night's films do not follow traditional horror conventions, offering audiences a fresh yet occasionally perplexing experience. Ishana Night Shyamalan's The Watchers proudly embraces the horror genre, drawing inspiration from her father's previous works while infusing her own distinct approach to the material.
M. Night Shyamalan's Involvement In The Watchers Explained
The Watchers isn't actually Ishana Night Shyamalan's first time behind a camera
A skeleton holding a warning sign in a forest from The Watchers trailer - The Watchers isn't actually Ishana Night Shyamalan's first time behind a camera - M. Night Shyamalan's Involvement In The Watchers Explained
Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut, The Watchers, showcases her talent as a filmmaker despite her previous work on horror series Servant and as a second unit director on her father's film Old. While M. Night is not directing the film, his role as a producer has undoubtedly influenced the final product. The Watchers' trailer follows a similar mysterious approach seen in M. Night's own films, leaving viewers intrigued about the story without giving too much away.
The Watchers, like The Village's trailer, hints at the creatures without revealing them outright. Despite the close collaboration between the creators, Shyamalan's debut feels uniquely different from M. Night's previous works. The trailer for The Watchers exudes a sense of eeriness not seen in films like Old or The Visit. While M. Night tends to shy away from fully embracing horror elements in his work, Ishana Night Shyamalan's debut appears to have no reservations in this regard.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an intriguing glimpse into the upcoming horror film "The Watchers," directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan. While the film is garnering attention as the directorial debut of M. Night Shyamalan's daughter, the article also highlights the potential for it to surpass her father's recent works. The trailer showcases an eerie atmosphere and a compelling premise, suggesting that Ishana Night Shyamalan may have inherited her father's talent for creating suspenseful stories.
The article also explores M. Night Shyamalan's own approach to horror movies, noting that his films often blend genres and prioritize character development over jump scares. While this may have limited his success in big-budget blockbusters, it has led to critically acclaimed suspense thrillers like "Split" and "Knock at the Cabin." The comparison between Ishana Night Shyamalan's "The Watchers" and her father's "The Village" is particularly intriguing, as it suggests that she may be taking inspiration from her father's work while also forging her own path in the horror genre.