Dakota Fanning’s horror movieThe Watchers, currently trending on Netflix, serves as the perfect reminder to watch an animated horror classic from 2009. Directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan in her directorial debut,The Watchersstars Dakota Fanningas a young woman named Mina, who is visiting Ireland only to become stranded in a forest inhabited by mysterious creatures that appear at night. Seeking shelter, Mina finds herself trapped in a bunker withthree strangers who have been imprisoned for several yearsand must do whatever she can to survive.
The moviewas produced byM. Night Shyamalan,who has gained notoriety and criticism in the movie industry for his trademark of using twist endings in many of his works.His daughter, Ishana, continues the trademark in her first movie as a director. While it received a mixed reception upon release,The Watchershas seen streaming success on Netflix, ranking in the top 10 most-watched films. The movie’s success on Netflix is a poignant reminder to watch another one of Dakota Fanning’s horror movies released in 2009.
The Watchers' Divisive Reception Proves Coraline Is Still Dakota Fanning’s Best Horror Movie
Coraline Was Released In 2009
Dakota Fanning’s performance as Mina inThe Watchersreceived praise from critics and perfectly displayed her skills as a horror movie actress.Fanning’s harrowing performance as Mina is similar to her work in the stop-motion animated horror movieCoraline,released in 2009.Coralinedepicts a young girl who struggles to adjust to her new home until she discovers a secret door in the living room that takes her to a mysterious new world. While initially believing she has finally found everything she wants, Coraline soon discovers the dark secrets of the Other World and must find a way to escape.
Coralinemanaged to gross over $52 million at the box office during its 2024 re-release.
The movie was critically acclaimed, garnering high praise for its stop-motion graphics, soundtrack, and screenplay beforereceiving an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature and winning three Annie Awards in 2010.Coralinehas since been regarded asone of the best stop-motion horror movies ever madeand has seen further financial success with its recent re-releases to celebrate its 15th anniversary. According toBox Office Mojo,Coralinemanaged to gross over $52 million at the box office during its 2024 re-release.Recent reviews ofCoralinehave called the movie a “gateway horror” classic, and it remains Dakota Fanning’s highest-rated horror movie of her career.
The Watchers Offers An Interesting Horror Movie With A Good Concept
Actress Dakota Fanning as Mina in The Watchers.
Upon its initial release,The Watcherswas not well-received by critics or viewers, only receiving a critical score of 32% onRotten Tomatoesand a score of 50% from audiences. The movie was criticized for being overly ambitious with its delivery of the story and its dialogue. However, despite its low Rotten Tomatoes score, there was praise for the depiction of Irish mythology andThe Watchers' portrayal of supernatural creatures. Ishana Night Shyamalan was also praised for her directing and shocking character twists depicted throughoutThe Watchers.
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Dakota Fanning’s harrowing and thrilling performance as Mina helps carry the story right tothe ending ofThe Watchersand shows that she could experience success in future movies in the horror genre.Coralineis ranked asone of Dakota Fanning’s best movies, and considering the further praise she received for her performance inThe Watchers,there is an indication that Fanning could achievehigh success in her career as a horror star. WhileThe Watchersis not the highest-ranked horror movie, it serves as a perfect reminder for viewers to enjoy Dakota Fanning’s previous horror success, 16 years prior.
