Watcher is one of those 2022 movies that made me wonder, “Are there even bad movies this year?” Then, it led me to the theory, “Maybe 2022 just doesn’t produce bad movies,” only to finally conclude with, “It was good, but I saw it coming.” For fans of psychological thrillers, it offers an intriguing experience.

Taking place in a foreign city (Bucharest), in a cold and labyrinthine apartment filled with people who don’t speak your language, the film effectively portrays Julia’s isolation. Her struggles with the language barrier and the loneliness imposed by her workaholic husband successfully explore themes of alienation and distrust in modern life.

The atmosphere of the screen a character itself. The looming sense of threat seeping through the windows and the bleak atmosphere of the city pull the audience into Julia’s growing paranoia. Maika Monroe’s performance perfectly captures her character’s helplessness and fear, conveyed brilliantly through her expressions. Her unease while staring out the window or getting lost in the supermarket makes the audience question reality along with her. The themes of loneliness, the language barrier, and an emotionally absent husband effectively critique modern relationships. The tension builds gradually, making even an ordinary window view unsettling.

The picture leans too heavily on the “a woman alone, and no one believes her” trope. Julia’s persistent feeling of being watched and the dismissive attitude of those around her become repetitive and predictable. Her husband, Francis, lacks depth, never moving beyond the “workaholic and emotionally distant” stereotype. The final scene also feels rushed—after a slow-burning buildup, the last 10 minutes of chase sequences feel tonally out of sync with the rest of the movie.

Julia never attempts to learn the language (would it have killed her to try Duolingo?), the man across the street seems to do nothing but stare out the window and smoke (does Netflix not exist in this city?), and nearly everyone in town looks like they stepped out of a fashion magazine. These details momentarily break the realism of the view, yet also create amusing ironies that make the experience oddly charming.

Watcher succeeds in crafting a suspenseful atmosphere filled with isolation and unease. In line with the overall quality of 2022 project, it falls into the “good but not unforgettable” category. It earns a solid 7.5/10—thanks to Maika Monroe’s mesmerizing performance and the eerie “someone’s watching” sensation that lingers throughout. However, the reliance on clichés and the rushed ending prevent it from being a masterpiece. A must-watch for psychological thriller fans, but make sure to close your curtains first.