The Watcher (2016) 6 out of 10 stars ⭐Excellent Made-For-TV Thriller...

Excellent Made-For-TV Thriller...

THE WATCHER (TV Movie 2016) 6 out of 10 stars ⭐

BASIC PLOT: 

Emma (Erin Cahill) and Noah (Edi Gathegi) are looking for a fresh start. After suffering a traumatic loss, the stillbirth of their son, Finn, they are still on the path to healing. They decide to move to the West Coast, and rebuild their lives. With the help of Francine, (Ruth Williamson) their quirky realtor, they've found their perfect new home. It's a venerable, stately house, in the old LA district, and it has real charm. But soon after they move in, strange things begin to happen. Emma begins feeling strange, and threatening notes begin to appear. Someone is watching their every move... from within the house. The notes promise a sickness lives within it's walls . They also promise the Raven will come to finish, what the sickness doesn't. Will and Noah figure out who's behind their torment, or will the Raven finally have his revenge?

WHAT WORKS: 

*THE OPENING OF THIS MOVIE IS FANTASTIC! The old couple, Wendell (Sab Shimono and Gladys (Takayo Fischer) do a great job of laying out the creepy atmospheric path you're not sure you want to walk down.

*IT'S ABOUT THE RIDE In this movie, it doesn't matter that the possible villains are revealed to the audience early on, it's about the ride. In the movie, "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)," the villainess, " Peyton Flanders" (Rebecca De Mornay), is known from the beginning. It's not about the reveal, it's about the hellish torment she creates along the way. It's also about good triumphing over evil, which is always what a melodrama is about. This is superbly done here by, Ryan Rothmaier, who wrote and directed this creepy atmospheric thriller.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: 

*THE ADOPTION OF MIKEY IS OVER THE TOP BAD. No one is that good, not even in a melodrama. After this many traumas in a row, people tend to close ranks, and shut down for awhile. They wouldn't bring a disturbed teenager into their house, especially after a homicidal maniac said she was afraid of him. It's just bad.

*WHY DIDN'T THEY SMELL THE CUPCAKES BAKING? If Jeanne (Denise Crosby) and Mikey (Riley Baron) were living in Emma and Noah's house, where was she baking her evil, poisoned treats?

*BODIES STINK Why didn't anyone smell Francine's (Ruth Williamson) body decaying in the basement?

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: 

*I would highly recommend this movie to people who love atmospherics, thrillers, or fans of any of the principal actors. It's very well done, especially with the budget constraints made-for-tv movies have to contend with.

CLOSING NOTES: 

*THIS IS A MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.

*I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE FILM, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.