The Watcher

Name: The Watcher
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: September 8, 2000
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 22
Cast: James Spader, Keanu Reeves, Marisa Tomei

2000

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Overwhelming dislike based on 83 Ratings

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1.3	User Score Overwhelming dislike based on 83 Ratings

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The Watcher

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Movie Details & Credits

MCA/Universal Pictures | Release Date: September 8, 2000 | R

Starring: James Spader, Keanu Reeves, Marisa Tomei

Summary: A former FBI agent (Spader) tracking a serial killer (Reeves) gives up solving the crimes after 8 years. The agent moves to another city, but the killer finds him and starts sending photographs of new victims -- one of which is (Tomei), the agent's psychiatrist.

Director: Joe Charbanic

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

TNT RoughCut J. Rentilly

What distinguishes The Watcher from all the films it consciously or unconsciously emulates is the intermittently witty, offbeat writing of debuting screenwriter David Elliot. Read full review

Andy Seiler

It's still the same sick story. Even the small touches seem stale. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Reeves is a stiff dancer and he delivers his lines in a full leather jacket monotone. Read full review

Jami Bernard

The movie is paint-by-numbers with several numbers skipped. Read full review

David Sterritt

The picture's real interest lies in detailing the villain's sadistic crimes, though, and this is rarely fun or edifying to watch. Read full review

F. X. Feeney

Fails to fulfill.

Rene Rodriguez

A shockingly, unbelievably bad movie. Read full review

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User Reviews

R.L.

Jan 5, 2009

An extremely entertaining cat&mouse thriller that will have you guessing at every turn.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

joecreek

Sep 30, 2019

One of the more engaging movies of its genre...Spader was phenomenal as always. Was also intriguing to see how Keanu portrayed a true villain for the very first and only time in his extensive career. Would highly recommend!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RodG.

Feb 20, 2007

This movie was okay. It got 28 reviews from critics. Critics are like weathermen. They're almost always wrong.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

eva3si0n

Sep 23, 2022

The Watcher is a classic B-level thriller. A common story with a retired tired policeman and a killer maniac. And if not participating in the Keanu Reeves film, most people would not have learned about the film, it is so secondary. Before the victim is kidnapped, the viewer may have a desireThe Watcher is a classic B-level thriller. A common story with a retired tired policeman and a killer maniac. And if not participating in the Keanu Reeves film, most people would not have learned about the film, it is so secondary. Before the victim is kidnapped, the viewer may have a desire to stop watching, so boring. The whole plot and suspense is built but the search for the victim in 12 hours. There is no background, not built competent and surprisingly it works. The plot of the film quickly begins to accelerate and does not let the viewer go. If it were not for the budget of the film and the triviality of everything that happens from the film, a good thriller could turn out.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FelixC.

May 29, 2007

Too easy to predict. Keanu Reaves cannot play a bad guy, he doesn't scare me.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

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