The Watcher (2000)

David is a serial killer of young women. Joel was in charge of catching him in LA. He moved to Chicago a broken man. So did David and sends him photos of his next victims 24 hours before the murders.

Director:

Joe Charbanic

Writers:

Darcy Meyers (story), David Elliot (story)

Stars:

James Spader, Keanu Reeves, Marisa Tomei

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 Nanfria	...	Ellie (as Rebakah Louise Smith)
Joseph Sikora	...	Skater (as Joe Sikora)
Jillian Peterson	...	Jessica
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 Los Angeles, 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 sent 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

american horror | serial murder | villain | maniac | bad guy | 

---

Taglines:

Someone wants to play.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Vietnamese

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Driven

Filming Locations:

Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,062,295, 10 September 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$28,927,720, 29 October 2000

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

James Spader and Keanu Reeves previously starred with Lori Loughlin in The New Kids (1985) and The Night Before (1988) respectively. Ironically, in those films, James Spader played a villain and Keanu Reeves played a good guy.

---

Goofs

When Campbell takes the cab from the hospital to the cemetery, the first long shot shows the cab as a Ford Taurus, but the next shot shows a Chevrolet Caprice.

---

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.

---

Connections

References The Matrix (1999)

---

Soundtracks

HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER
Written by Rob Zombie, Scott Humphrey
Performed by Rob Zombie
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

A True Balance of Good and Evil

The hero confides in a therapist, seeking help, but this act catches the attention of the killer. She becomes the chess game's queen, and her life or death will fall to the hero. But for him to save her, he may have to sacrifice himself, and the villain is ready for him.

A masterpiece of cat and mouse, good versus evil is depicted in this film. The hero and villain are truly defined by two driven actors,James Spader and Keanu Reeves, and with every twist and turn, their characters pull you further into their struggle to win over the other. And the music captures every moment of this movie. The ending delivers closure to the storyline but leaves you wondering, "Will good triumph over evil, or will the hero fall? Time's up."