The Watcher (I) (2000)

David Allen Griffin is a cool killer- time and time again, he chooses a female victim, studies her for weeks till he knows her routine to the smallest detail, makes meticulous preparations ... See full summary »

Director:

Joe Charbanic

Writers:

Darcy Meyers (story), David Elliot (story),

Stars:

James Spader, Marisa Tomei, Keanu Reeves

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Spader	...	Campbell
Marisa Tomei	...	Polly
Keanu Reeves	...	Griffin
Ernie Hudson	...	Ibby
Chris Ellis	...	Hollis
Robert Cicchini	...	Mitch
Yvonne Niami	...	Lisa
Jenny McShane	...	Diana (as Jennifer McShane)
Gina Alexander	...	Sharon
Rebekah Louise Smith	...	Ellie (as Rebakah Louise Smith)
Joseph Sikora	...	Skater (as Joe Sikora)
Jill Peterson	...	Jessica (as Jillian Peterson)
Michele DiMaso	...	Rachel (as Michelle Dimaso)
Andrew Rothenberg	...	Jack Fray
David Pasquesi	...	Norton

Storyline

David Allen Griffin is a cool killer- time and time again, he chooses a female victim, studies her for weeks till he knows her routine to the smallest detail, makes meticulous preparations using his forensic knowledge to gain entry when she's quite alone, subdues her and administers a long, torturous death. Joel Campbell got so frustrated by his failure to capture Griffin in LA that he quit the FBI, moved to Chicago and remains in psychiatric therapy, unable to function normally. Then he realizes, when opening his mail very late, that a new murder victim is Griffin's, and the killer send him pictures of her. Campbell reports this to the police, but is unwilling to join them in the search, suggesting Griffin is too slick and clever; yet he won't get out of it that easily...

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | fbi | murder | therapy | tv set | 

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Taglines:

Someone wants to play.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

The Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Vietnamese

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Driven

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£470,787 (UK) (9 March 2001)

Gross:

ESP 244,682,968 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lewitt / Eberts Prouctions, Choi / Niami Prouctions, Driven Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the opening scene, Keanu Reeves dances to the Rob Zombie song "Dragula" while doing kung fu moves behind green lighting. This is a homage to his previous blockbuster, The Matrix.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the movie Joel Campbell is doing a voice over David Allen Griffin's dancing as a flash forward; David Allen Griffin is dancing to the Rob Zombie song "Dragula". At the end of the movie, when the scene occurs it's a different Rob Zombie song. He is now dancing to "How To Make A Monster".

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Quotes

David Allen Griffin: Why did you turn away from me? Why was it so hard for you to accept? Cos you know I did it for you. You came so close to me that night. I remember clearly what I felt when I heard your footsteps falling behind me. Pride. I thought it would keep us together forever. For me it was our finest moment. I can still see the flames.

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Connections

Referenced in Bad Movie Beatdown: Half Past Dead 2 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"CAN'T SAY THAT"
Written and Performed by Sharkfin
Vocal by Holly Light

User Reviews

James Spader and Keanu Reeves....it doesn't get any better than this!

James Spader in an outstanding performance as a cop tormented by many demons, both in his mind and on the other end of his telephone. Keanu Reeves is every woman's nightmare---a charming killer with the face of an angel and the soul of a demon. Tense, twisting plot, great ending. Gotta own it on DVD...satisfying for both men and women.