Originally written 12/27/15
The
Watcher in the Woods is a largely forgettable affair that is
only memorable for being one of the few horror films ever directly produced by
Disney. The movie is thankfully short and well-paced. A girl investigates the
death of the landlord's daughter, and there are mildly spooky goings-on as she
tries to solve the mystery. There are some decent atmospheric visuals
occasionally throughout. I appreciate that there was at least an attempt at
trying to make the film creepy. The story certainly wasn't doing it. The ending
is some lunacy about solar eclipses and possession by interdimensional aliens,
which comes out of nowhere and is hopelessly confusing. Apparently there were
multiple endings shot, but I do not see how a different ending could save the
film. It was already dead by the time the ending rolls around. The Watcher in the Woods seems to be
targeted to a tween audience, but I do not think that tweens in 1980 would have
enjoyed it anymore than I did in 2015.
It is an unusual but somehow milquetoast Disney outing that doesn't need to be
watched.
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