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» » The Watcher Self (2016)

Short summary

The Watcher Self is an unsettling psychosexual chiller written and directed by Matt Cruse about one woman's descent into hell. Cora (Karen French) begins her day facing the consequences of a nightmare. Struggling to maintain a normal routine, she engages in a series of emotionally detached encounters and experiences a confusing psychological connection with the strange and elusive Van (Julian Shaw). Then echoes from the past threaten to derail her tenuous state of mind, and Cora becomes increasingly dislocated from her surroundings. Is she going insane, or is it something else? The Watcher Self is about what remains when the layers of sanity are gradually stripped away... and what may or may not be real.

The colours red, white and black feature prominently throughout the film.

The script for 'The Watcher Self' was in development for a year as writer/director Matt Cruse explored a number of alternative directions and titles. Working titles include 'Monday', 'Cora on Monday' and 'Installation'.

A feature film 100% self-funded by by writer/director Matt Cruse.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Exellent
    Slow, dull and predictable is no way to make a successful thriller. This is the cinematic equivalent of watching paint dry. 3/10 for some solid performances, otherwise this one is a total waste of time.
  • comment
    • Author: Bort
    The lead is very good, however the desperate lack of narrative, direction, dialogue and anything resembling interest sinks this overly artsy attempt at tension.
  • comment
    • Author: kolos
    Deliberately low in narrative, it does exactly what it sets out to do ...by keeping you on your toes! The main character 'Cora' keeps you wondering about her mental state, what is happening in her world and she leaves you with more questions than answers.

    This film gripped me from the start and was forever challenging my thinking. Fantastic!
  • comment
    • Author: Gagas
    There is always a breaking point for everything. In The Watcher Self, we the viewers watch as the lead gradually works her way (no pun intended) to her breaking point. Simultaneously however, we too may experience a breaking point of our own. Is it the excessively applied and ultimately anti-climatic sound effects and themes for you? Maybe it's the fact that other than the lead, no other character shares more than 10 full sentences for you? Perhaps it's the painful and frustratingly open-ended conclusion of the movie for you? It doesn't matter. Chances are this movie will find (or create) a breaking point for you and in so doing, it will have proven to be a true psychologically tumultuous journey. Some may be looking for this in a movie, but I personally did not enjoy multiple aspects of this movie as it was too open-ended for me. This is not to say the lead lacks talent as an actress or that she is not an image to behold, but that (...seemingly empty) script simply did not do her any favors. Direction with the lead was okay, but every other individual is either written to be facile and uninteresting or is terribly directed.
  • comment
    • Author: FLIDER
    So clearly a producers early movie. Very poor from srart to finish.
  • comment
    • Author: Contancia
    I really liked the lead actress in this film. She has a fascinating demeanour and you can't take your eyes off her. In the same style as Memento, the film is as confusing to follow as the lead character's life is, which makes for engrossing viewing. Recommended.
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Karen French Karen French - Cora
    Julian Shaw Julian Shaw - Van
    Sylvia Seymour Sylvia Seymour - Wanda
    Lucy Charles Lucy Charles - Kelly
    Tony Stansfield Tony Stansfield - Pitman
    Helen Barford Helen Barford - Rose
    Chloe Palaontas Chloe Palaontas - Young Mother
    Samantha Smith Samantha Smith - Businesswoman
    Tony McPherson Tony McPherson - Businessman
    Mark Starr Mark Starr - Investment Banker
    Viphakonh Johnson Viphakonh Johnson - Smoker
    Mackenzie Scott Mackenzie Scott - First Anonymous Man
    Glen Gerard Glen Gerard - Kelly's Sweetheart
    Olivier Beaubois Olivier Beaubois - Enamoured Man
    Sebastian Canciglia Sebastian Canciglia - Doting Man
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