Spoiler-Free Review of “The Watcher” on Netflix: A Neighborhood full of Secrets

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Welcome…you know I will be watching…”

The Watcher premiered on Netflix on October 13th 2022 with seven episodes available to steam now. Created by Ryan Murphy and based on a true story, the series stars Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Coolidge, Isabel Gravitt, and Mia Farrow. Each episode runs for approximately 44-47 minutes.

After a family moves into their dream home, they begin to receive threatening letters.

Here is the trailer:

The Watcher has an eerie premise with a terrific cast, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Strong opening episodes…

The premise for this series was really creepy and when I know that things are based on a true story, it makes it even more terrifying. I thought the opening episodes of this series were really good and they hooked me completely. I had to know more and I immediately began to make a list of suspects. Seriously, all of those neighbors were completely crazy!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Great cast!

This was a really interesting cast. It felt very much like a season of American Horror Story in a lot of ways, bringing plenty of well-known faces into the fold. I thought Naomi Watts did a great job and it’s always fun seeing Jennifer Coolidge on screen.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Loses steam as the episodes continue…

This was really frustrating because I was completely hooked in the beginning of this series. In typical Ryan Murphy fashion, the series then goes off on several tangents and subplots that really dragged out the rest of the series. By the time I got to the reveals, I had lost a lot of interest. I really wasn’t a fan of the ending either.

I’m also not sure that there was enough content here for a seven episode series. This might have been better suited as a film. There was a film that came out in 2016 (which I haven’t watched yet), but I think that was the right approach.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

An intriguing and addicting premise with a stellar cast.

There’s enough here to enjoy, but this series started a lot stronger than it finished.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Watcher in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Inventing Anna” on Netflix: Juicy and Intriguing Premise

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Everyone here wants something…”

Inventing Anna premiered on Netflix on February 11th 2022 with nine episodes available to stream now. The drama series based on a true story stars Julia Garner, Anna Chlumsky, Arian Moayed, Anders Holm and Laverne Cox. Each episode runs for approximately 60-70 minutes.

A journalist looks into the case of Anna Delvey, who stole money from New York elites while pretending to be a wealthy German heiress.

Here is the trailer:

Inventing Anna takes a true story and shows the audience different angles on how Anna Delvey became a well-known name. Is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Showcases gorgeous fashion and settings.

There was so much fashion embedded in this series and I loved it! We also got to be transported to different places, focusing primarily on New York City. The series did a good job of capturing the vibe and feel of each setting, which really helped elevate this series in a lot of ways for me.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Worthy flashbacks.

Julia Garner put forth a valiant effort here and I thought the flashbacks were the strongest part of the series. It was really interesting seeing how Anna did what she did over time, connecting with different people throughout her journey. This probably could have been the main focus of the series because it was that intriguing.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The journalist angle didn’t work…

I just couldn’t connect to this part of the show and I think it forced each episode to run longer than needed. Vivian was not likable at all for me as a character and I think that we spent way too much time focusing on her life rather than the interesting story we actually came to see…

That accent…

I thought I might get used to it after a while, but Julia Garner’s impersonation of Anna Delvey’s accent was so strange and off-putting. I’m sure she put a lot of thought and effort into it and I don’t want to knock her because I think she’s a great actress but it was really distracting.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

This series highlights an intriguing story worth watching and the fashion pieces alone are definitely worth your time. I personally would have preferred the series to just focus on the flashbacks more because they were really interesting. The episodes are super long and it took me a little while to get through this one, but I’d recommend giving it a whirl because it does have its moments.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Inventing Anna in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!