Psychological thrillers focus on emotion, playing with viewers’ minds through creating uncertainty and unsettling turns.
One such thriller has found a new wave of fans after landing on Netflix.
Fans have taken to social media to rave about the thriller, with one viewer sharing: “I absolutely loved this film! It’s easily one of the best I’ve watched in a long time. From the very beginning, I was hooked — truly an incredible movie.”
Another added: “This is one of the most suspenseful films I’ve ever seen. It proves that less can be more — it builds tension masterfully without relying on cheap shock tactics. I’ve seen plenty of darker, more disturbing movies, but this one stood out for its restraint and impact.”
Brian Bisesi of the Horror Movie Club podcast praised the film, calling it “a tightly woven story with elegant direction and a rich, nuanced performance — a tense and unforgettable viewing experience.”
Flick Feast critic Dallas King described it as “a taut, gripping, and thoroughly compelling thriller — and that final shot? Absolutely unforgettable.”
Meanwhile, Frank Swietek of One Guy’s Opinion noted: “A moody, slow-burning piece that proves you can still craft a powerful thriller with modest means.”
Watcher marks the directorial debut of Chloe Okuno and delves into the unsettling reality of being stalked.
Starring Maika Monroe, Burn Gorman, Karl Glusman, Madalina Anea, and Daniel Nuță, the film follows a young actress who relocates to a new city with her boyfriend—only to become increasingly disturbed by a shadowy figure watching her from an apartment window across the street. As a serial killer terrorizes the area, her growing paranoia fuels this chilling psychological thriller.
In an interview with Film Hounds, director Chloe Okuno reflected on the real-life experiences that inspired Watcher, particularly the pervasive issue of stalking and harassment faced by many women.
“It’s a feeling that, unfortunately, a lot of women are familiar with,” Okuno explained. “It’s infuriating—mostly because it happens so often.”
She went on to share how the theme echoed into her own experience behind the camera: “Even while making this film, I found myself in similar situations—trying to assert my perspective as a female director, and not always being heard.”
