Watchers (1988)

Based on a novel by Dean Koontz. A boy takes in a stray dog, later finding out that its an ultra-intelligent runaway from a genetic research lab. Unknow to him, the dog is being stalked by ... See full summary »

Director:

Jon Hess

Writers:

Dean R. Koontz (based on the novel by), Bill Freed (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Ironside, Christopher Cary, Graeme Campbell

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Ironside	...	Lem
Christopher Cary	...	TV Newscaster (as Christopher Carey)
Graeme Campbell	...	Man On Boat
Dan O'Dowd	...	First TV Reporter
Lala Sloatman	...	Tracey (as Lala)
Corey Haim	...	Travis
Dale Wilson	...	Bill Keeshan
Blu Mankuma	...	Cliff
Colleen Winton	...	Deputy Porter
Duncan Fraser	...	Sheriff Gaines
Barbara Williams	...	Nora
Lou Bollo	...	Man By Stream
Jason Priestley	...	Boy On Bike
Matt Hill	...	Boy On Bike
Andrew Markey	...	Boy On Bike

Storyline

Based on a novel by Dean Koontz. A boy takes in a stray dog, later finding out that its an ultra-intelligent runaway from a genetic research lab. Unknow to him, the dog is being stalked by another escaped creature thats not quite so friendly.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | stray dog | triple teen murder | small town sheriff | genetic engineering | 

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Taglines:

It started as a secret experiment... It ended up as a new breed of terror.

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al borde del terror

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

$940,173 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Concorde Pictures, Centaur Films, Rose & Ruby Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 87 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Haggis wrote the original screenplay. By the time the movie was greenlighted, the Writer's Guild Strike hit and Haggis refused to do any further writing on the movie during the strike. Production was passed to Canadian producer Damien Lee who rewrote the script. Haggis read the script and took his name off it - taking credit instead as "Bill Freed", his WGA pseudonym, and insisted Damien Lee take credit for his work.

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Connections

Followed by Watchers Reborn (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Dream Machine"
Performed by Mike Reno

User Reviews

Slightly Underrated

If you went into watching this movie thinking it was going to be an exacting adaptation of the great novel, well, you apparently haven't learned your lesson. Because this is almost never the case, especially movies from this era.

I will judge it for what it is: a B-horror starring an early Corey Haim, still in his prime. There is plenty to like about the film, including some of the gore and terror sequences. Corey Haim's acting is still spot on and sharp (on of his last), and the movie does flow very well. It is an easy film to digest. There are frights aplenty, if you are prone to it. If you are a critical horror fan, you'll find the gore to be well-done, and the film amusing - so long as you don't judge it by the standards of the book.

Having said all that, there are some down sides to it: Some highly inane, and poorly written dialog at times. Also, the film itself, could stand to be spruced up. They could've also tightened up some of the editing.

As far as B-horror fare goes, I recommend it.