They're Watching is a found footage horror comedy written and directed by Jay Lender and Micah Wright and follows the crew of an American home improvement show and their run in with a very strange village in eastern Europe. The movie features acting performances by Brigid Brannagh, David Alpay, Carrie Genzel, Kris Lemche, Mia Faith, and Dimitri Diatchenko.
The Review:
A lot of people are of the opinion that found footage movies have run their course and are no longer a viable source of entertainment in the film industry. While I do not agree with that sentiment, I believe the gimmick is still effective when done right, I have to say that this movie does not do much to help the side of the argument that I am on. The major flaw here is in how the creative team pretty much ignores the logic and rules you have to follow with found footage otherwise you just sit there wondering why they have cameras on all the time. Even in the movie, there are several moments of dialog that try to justify why the cameras are on, but it just doesn't work...at least until a particular moment in the third act when "From now on...we film everything" becomes a rallying cry that lets you know stuff is about to go down.
The way this story is written, there is a very intentional, and unfortunately dull, build up to the ending where all hell breaks loose and the audience is rewarded for staying around. The idea reminds me a bit of The Cabin in the Woods and that certain turning point in the movie ("Let's get this party started") where all hell breaks loose and the movie goes from entertaining to legendary status. The difference here is the movie is barely worth watching up until it's turning point so, instead of being wow'd by what happens, your reaction is more like...well, that wasn't so bad after all.
The Verdict:
They're Watching is worth the effort if you are a fan of horror comedies that border on parody and are okay with found footage camera techniques. It's sort of like turning on the USA network late at night and finding those really bad 1980's horror movies with the horrible dialog and cheesy special effects and just enjoying the heck out of it because why not. Seriously though, the ending is a lot of fun so give it a shot.
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