The 8 best thrillers to watch if you like The Watcher series

Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s latest series “The Watcher” has left a strong impression on many of its viewers since it landed on Netflix on October 13th.

If even among you there are fans who enjoyed The Watcher, here is a list of films (and miniseries) that could provide you with the same sensations experienced watching the Netflix product. These thrillers share similar themes and a suspenseful feel to the series, and some even feature the same talent behind the camera.

From “Fatal Attraction” to “The Ring,” fans of the franchise can enjoy these must-see movies in the thriller genre.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace (2018)

Ryan Murphy is no stranger to the crime genre, as his anthology series titled “American Crime Story” can attest. In the second season, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”, the events around the murderer of the legendary designer are dealt with, as you can guess. Not only does The Watcher and this miniseries share a co-creator in Murphy, but both deal with stalking themes (with Cunanan obsessively befriending Versace before killing him).

Both series work on a similar premise, but from different points of view; one from the point of view of a stalker, while the other from that of the victim.

Cape Fear (1991)

Martin Scorsese is a genius of cinema, we know, and with Cape Fear he has proven that he is more than capable of creating a suspenseful psychological thriller. The story follows the lawyer Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte)who finds himself with his family being haunted by a former client who blames him for ruining his life.

Cape Fear, like The Watcher, belongs in a gray area between horror and thriller, where the most in-depth character is “the villain” almost to the point of overshadowing the hero. Honorable mention to a truly terrifying Robert De Niro in this film, as in few other films by him.

Fatal Attraction (1987)

The protagonist of this film is the charming Alex Forrest, who enters into a relationship with her lawyer Dan Gallagher, but the latter is convinced that it is more than just an adventure. This premise, together with the great performances of Glenn Close and Michael Douglas, made “Fatal Attraction” a smash hit, kicking off a stalker-thriller genre in the late 1980s. In addition to the main storyline, “Fatal Attraction” shares with The Watcher a focus on family and how stalking can disturb the tranquility of home life.

The Gift (2015)

Actor-director Joel Edgerton’s film debut, The Gift, tells the story of Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall), who return to their hometown only to find themselves haunted by an old classmate. Produced on a small budget, the film grossed over $58 million.

Similar theme but different staging than “the Watcher”In fact, fans of the show will notice that here the style of Ryan Murphy’s series contrasts sharply with the sadness of the film. “The Gift” is a story where no one walks away happy, not even those who won.

I Saw The Devil (2010)

I Saw the Devil is a Korean revenge thriller in which a government agent engages in the ruthless pursuit of a serial killer who brutally murdered his fiancée, a brutal story of a man pushed to extremes. This film has gained widespread acclaim, thanks to its well-written characters and plot adept at not giving in to melodrama.

“I saw the devil” may not look much like The Watcher at first glance, in particular, the film reverses the usual dynamic of the stalker thriller, with the hero stalking an utterly depraved villain, viewers can’t wait to see the former get his revenge, but if you are a fan of the Netflix series you will surely love this movie too.

Red Eye (2005)

Wes Craven is one of the masters of horror cinema and this story of a hotel manager at the mercy of a terrorist on a night flight is just the confirmation. Red Eye isn’t one of Craven’s scariest films, true, but it’s an effective thriller where all the skill of its star-studded cast emerges in a claustrophobic environment.

It Follows (2015)

The 2010s and 2020s saw a boom for indie horror, but few films of this wave have been as successful as this one. A supernatural horror film, full of metaphors and allegories, and with great critical acclaim, earning the title of “Cult horror”, thanks to its gruesome atmosphere and highly original execution. “It Follows” consistently instills in the audience a sense of dread and dooma dark and terrifying product in every aspect.

The Ring (2002)

The American remake of the beloved horror classic, The Ring is still one of the most loved and lauded horror films even 20 years later, considered one of the mainstays of the genre, in addition, the film also boasts the fact that it was also the first starring role for Naomi Watts.

The plot of the US version is largely unchanged from the original, starting with a reporter investigating a videotape that seemingly sends any viewer who watches it to an early demise, and the suspense of the entire film only builds from there. , especially since all the supernatural elements brought into play throughout the film, including the scary Samara come into play.