This article contains references/discussions of murder and stalking.
Ever since it hit Netflix on October 13, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's latest series, The Watcher, has left quite an impression on many viewers. Following the life of a married couple, the Broaddus', the series has had viewers on tenterhooks as they are stalked by a mysterious figure that calls himself "the Watcher," who is determined to drive them out.
For fans who have enjoyed The Watcher, there are plenty of movies (and a miniseries) that could deliver the same feeling. These thrillers either share themes with the series, capture a similar suspenseful vibe, or even feature the same talent behind and in front of the camera.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace (2018)
No Streaming Informtion Available
Ryan Murphy is no stranger to the crime genre, as his aptly titled anthology series American Crime Story can attest. The second season, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, may be named after the legendary fashion designer, but it's really about his murderer, Andrew Cunanan.
Not only do The Watcher and Versace share a co-creator in Murphy, they both deal with themes of stalking, with Cunanan obsessively seeking Versace's friendship before killing him. In fact, both series work as perspective flips on a similar premise, one from a stalker's perspective, while the other is that of the victims.
Cape Fear (1991)
Available To Stream On Peacock
Martin Scorsese is a filmmaking genius, and Cape Fear proved that he was more than capable of crafting a highly suspenseful psychological thriller. The story follows lawyer Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte), who finds himself and his family stalked by an ex-client who blames him for ruining his life.
While both Cape Fear, like The Watcher, belongs in a gray area between horror and thriller, it spends much more time with the villain, almost to the point of overshadowing the hero. As Max Cady, Robert De Niro is terrifically terrifying, while still being charismatic enough to make the character fun to watch.
Fatal Attraction (1987)
Available To Stream On HBO Max
When lawyer Dan Gallagher has an affair with the fascinating Alex Forrest, he gets more than he bargains for when his lover believes it was more than just a fling. That premise, coupled with great performances from Glenn Close and Michael Douglas, made Fatal Attraction a big hit, kicking off a stalker thriller trend in the late '80s and early '90s.
Besides the main stalker plot, Fatal Attraction shares with The Watcher a focus on family, and how stalking can disturb the tranquility of domestic life. When Alex ingratiates herself with Dan's family, every step she takes could potentially destroy everything he's worked towards, even before she turns homicidal.
The Gift (2015)
Available To Stream On FuboTV
Actor-turned-director Joel Edgerton's feature debut, Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall), who move back to the former's hometown only to find themselves stalked by an old classmate. Produced on a small budget, the film grossed over $58 million (via Box Office Mojo) and serves as an excellent showcase for its multi-talented auteur.
The Watcher's premise and creeping setups mean The Gift is great for fans of the show, but Ryan Murphy's campy style contrasts sharply with the movie's sadness, especially when the audience knows why Gordo is stalking Simon and Robyn. It's a story where nobody walks away happy, not even those who have utterly won.
I Saw The Devil (2010)
Available To Stream On Hulu
I Saw the Devil is a Korean revenge thriller in which a government agent engages in ruthless pursuit of a serial killer who brutally murdered his fiancée. It's a brutal tale of a man driven to extremes, and earned widespread acclaim, with well-known film critic, Chris Stuckmann, praising the characters for "shining through" and the plot for not falling into the "cheesy and melodramatic" trap (via YouTube - 2:56).
While I Saw the Devil may not seem much like The Watcher at first glance, but both have a fascination with stalking and murder. Notably, the movie reverses the usual stalker thriller dynamic, with the hero stalking an utterly depraved villain, who viewers can't wait to see get his comeuppance.
It Follows (2015)
Available To Stream On Netflix
The 2010s and '20s have seen quite the boom for indie horror, but few of the entries in the current wave have been as unique as It Follows. A supernatural horror film in which the monster that is full of metaphors and allegories, it was a critical hit (earning a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes) that has gained a cult following for its creepy atmosphere and highly original execution.
Like The Watcher, It Follows constantly instills the audience with a sense of dread and doom, and every frame has a gloomy look that complements the scares. In addition, "It" being an unknowable force is one of the things that makes it terrifying (like the Brannocks' unknown stalker).
Red Eye (2005)
Available To Stream HBO Max
Wes Craven was one of the masters of horror cinema, so the story of a hotel manager at the mercy of a terrorist on a red eye flight is right up his alley. While Red Eye isn't one of Craven's scariest movies, per se, it's an effective thriller that makes ample use of its talented performers and limited setting.
Although Red Eye's Jackson Rippner, unlike the titular "watcher," is known to the audience from early in the film, the two antagonists share a surprisingly similar function. Both make it their mission to terrorize the hero(es), and they up the ante whenever they sense that they're not being listened to, like when Red Eye's Lisa attempts to warn her fellow engers.
The Ring (2002)
Available To Stream On Paramount+
An American remake of the beloved J-horror classic, Naomi Watts, who has been a perennial favorite horror-thrillers ever since, the most recent example being The Watcher.
The Ring's premise is largely unchanged from the original, beginning with a journalist investigating a videotape that apparently sends any viewers to an early grave. The suspense only builds from there, particularly when all the supernatural elements, including the frightening Samara, enter the picture.
The Stepfather (1987)
Available To Stream On Peacock
One of the more underrated movies of the '80s horror boom, The Stepfather is a psychological thriller where the main attraction is a chilling performance by a pre-John Locke Terry O'Quinn. Although the movie spawned a franchise, none of the sequels (or the remake) hold a candle to the original.
The Stepfather is loosely based on the case of John List, who murdered his family and spent nearly two decades under an assumed identity. This arguably makes it a blood relative of The Watcher, in which the previous owner of the Brannock's home, John Graff, has a very similar history.
Watcher (2022)
Available To Stream On DIRECTV
Beyond the near identical titles, Watcher shares themes of stalking and a psychological edge with The Watcher, preying on viewers' fears of sinister strangers and the unknown in general.
Watcher tells the story of Julia (Maika Monroe), a young actor who moves to Bucharest with her husband and finds herself isolated from everyone around her, made worse by an enigmatic neighbor who might be watching her every move. Monroe gives a great performance, helping viewers empathize with Julia's situation and lending authenticity to her feelings of dread and loneliness.
