If you read my review of the film “Trapped”, you know my thoughts about M. Night Shyamalan. I thought “The Sixth Sense” was a terrific debut, but he, unfortunately, hasn’t made a strong film since.

Hold that thought in your head while I discuss “Watchers,” a 2024 horror/fantasy work starring Dakota Fanning.

I went into the film a little suspicious; it’s rated PG-13 which I always feel is a mark against a horror film. But my cynicism was unfounded. It actually turned out to be quite entertaining.

Fanning’s character, Mina, lives in Ireland, though she doesn’t seem to be Irish herself (judging by the lack of an accent.) She works at a pet store and is tasked with driving a rare parrot across the country to a zoo. This trip involves going through a creepy forest where her car mysteriously dies.

Mina gets out, and is stalked by strange creatures, and only to be saved when she find her way into a stone building housing several other refugees, (including a character played by Olwen Fouéré whom I recognized from another movie I’ve reviewed, “Tarot.”)

At this point the, the film has very much of a “Lost” vibe. A mysterious forest, strange creatures, a concrete compound… what’s going on?

Well, the film answers those questions satisfyingly but I won’t say more other than to note there’s a bit of a fairytale quality to the whole thing.

The actors are all quite good. Georgina Campbell from the film “Barbarian” has a big role. The score was engaging. 

You won’t get much blood and guts here, but I recommend it.

As the credits rolled, I caught the name Shyamalan. “Crikey,” I exclaimed. Had M. Night somehow redeemed himself? No, it turned out, this film is directed by his daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan. She did a great job, her debut outpacing anything her father has done in decades.

Will she keep up the pace? Who knows, but successful daughters of male directors seem to be a thing. Sofia Coppola. Jennifer Lynch. Asia Argento.

My verdict: watch “Watchers.”