Jenarita Plante
Anchor Staff Writer
Have you ever had that eerie suspicion that someone is watching you? Have you ever felt the burning sense of eyes peering secretly from somewhere you just can not seem to figure out? “The Watcher” is Netflix’s newest mystery thriller sensation. Written and produced by Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy, this series will heighten your senses and send tingles down your spine. Of course, Murphy is known for this in many of his other shows he has written, directed and produced; “American Horror Story,” “American Crime Story,” and “Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” just to name a few.
The show's premise is around a gorgeous million-dollar home and the family that purchases it. Looking to get out of New York City, the Brannock family tours 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey and instantly becomes enthralled with its classic beauty. The husband, Dean, played by Bobbie Cannavale, puts an offer in before even leaving the property. He, his wife Nora, played by Naomi Watts, and their two children, Ellie and Carter, move into their new awe-inspiring home. Very quickly, the Brannocks begin to feel uneasy and unwelcome. Their neighbors are a shady group of people, seemingly hiding behind facades of the “perfect neighbors.” Strange things begin to randomly happen around the house, it becomes obvious that there’s more to the house than what meets the eye. Neighbors begin to show up from inside the home without entering through a door, strange noises play randomly over loudspeakers, and animals are murdered within the house walls in the middle of the night.
As the show continues, the Brannocks begin to receive letters from someone who calls themselves “The Watcher.” The Brannocks’ sense of security begins to crumble and their awareness heightens. Murphy flawlessly adds the element of suspicion that he is ever so good at. The characters become intertwined within the plot. As a viewer, you will continuously come up with your own theory as to who the watcher is, especially with the cast list that continues to grow. Each person has a motive, and each an opportunity. As the Brannocks become more suspicious, their family structure hangs in the balance and it is a constant merry-go-round of emotions.
Overall, I felt the show was very well done. It kept me on the edge of my seat. There were numerous elements of surprise, shivers down my spine and many quick wordless gasps. I didn’t feel like there were any slow moments of the show, as it keeps the viewer constantly forming new thoughts and ideas about who it could be.
To make the show even more interesting, the story is based upon a real house of the same address and real events. The real story happened slightly differently, but it is still an unsolved mystery. Of course, with the new show, the town of Westfield is seeing a huge increase in out of towners, I am sure the current inhabitants of 657 Boulevard are feeling the burn of eyes staring out at them from behind hidden places.