Ryan Murphy is known for creating hit TV shows like Glee, American Horror Story, Pose, Monster, and 9-1-1. He’s told a wide range of stories, covering everything from scary horror and true crime to medical dramas and police procedurals. However, there’s one show of his you might not be aware of.
Though it didn’t receive rave reviews when it came out in 2022, this show is still captivating. Featuring strong performances from Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale, and inspired by a true story, it’s a thrilling mystery-horror series. While it might not be as scary as shows like Ratched or Grotesquerie, it’s definitely worth watching.
The Watcher Shows the Dark Side of the American Dream
The series The Watcher explores the unsettling side of pursuing the American Dream, focusing on obsession and paranoia. A family stretches their finances to buy a perfect home, only to find their dream turning into a nightmare when they receive menacing letters from someone calling themselves ‘The Watcher.’ This constant fear not only exposes existing tensions within the family but also drives them further apart. The show keeps viewers guessing about the identity of The Watcher, as suspicion falls on everyone the family encounters.
As the couple uncovers unsettling secrets about their neighbors and the house’s history, the situation grows increasingly bizarre. Combined with their struggling marriage and failing finances, everything is falling apart, leaving the family in a difficult bind. They’re faced with a tough choice: abandon their dream of homeownership and move, or stay and fight for what they want, even if it’s dangerous.
The show centers around Dean (Cannavale), a man determined to enjoy the life he’s earned, even when it means ignoring reason. It’s a compelling blend of mystery, horror, and drama, with steadily increasing tension. Expect familiar scares – like realizing the threat is close to home – alongside a disturbing look at a couple falling apart as they live in constant fear for their safety.
The Watcher is Based on a True Story
What really draws viewers into The Watcher is that, even though the show exaggerates certain details for dramatic effect, it’s based on a true story. The series comes from a 2018 article in The Cut about a real person who terrorized a family in Westfield, New Jersey. This ‘Watcher’ stalked the new homeowners for four years, sending them threatening letters.
The real family who purchased the house never actually moved in because they were terrified for their safety. They received increasingly threatening letters, with the sender claiming to have watched the property for generations and knowing personal details about their children. Similar to the TV show, the letters kept arriving, even after the family left, and became more disturbing over time. The sender believed they had a spiritual connection to the house, describing it as their life’s work and obsession. They expressed anger at the family’s wealth, even writing, “Welcome to the product of your greed!”
In reality, the Broaddus family, who were the focus of ‘The Watcher’ story, sold their house for less than they paid for it before they even moved in, wanting to escape the unsettling events. Strangely, the person sending the letters stopped contacting the new owners, which led some to believe the whole thing might have been a prank. However, no one was ever charged with any crime, and the Broadduses eventually moved on with their lives.
Why Ryan Murphy Fans Will Love The Watcher
While it’s not his best work, if you generally enjoy Ryan Murphy’s shows, this mystery horror is worth checking out. It definitely has his trademark style, blending true crime with dramatic flair—something he’s done in shows like Monster. You’ll find similar psychological horror and gothic themes as in American Horror Story and Grotesquerie. Like many of Murphy’s shows on streaming services, it’s also very easy to watch multiple episodes in a row.
Even though critics didn’t love it, The Watcher—originally planned as a limited series—is supposedly getting a second season. But it’s been a long time, and there haven’t been any updates about filming or when it might air, so it’s unclear if it will actually happen. This isn’t unusual for shows created by Ryan Murphy. The Politician, for example, had two seasons and then quietly ended, even though it received good reviews. Similarly, Ratched was initially renewed, but later canceled before a second season could be made.
If The Watcher comes back for another season, it’s hard to predict where the story will go. The first season didn’t offer a clear ending, so it’s likely the next one would continue to explore Dean’s growing obsession and how it affects his wife, Nora (Watts), their children, his work, and his well-being. However, the show’s future is still uncertain.
This latest project from Murphy will likely please his fans, offering plenty of suspense, strong acting, and his signature style. While the ending might feel a little unsatisfying and some moments are a bit excessive, that ambiguity actually adds to the show’s intrigue and encourages viewers to draw their own conclusions. It’s not a perfectly wrapped-up story, but it provides seven engaging episodes for when you’re looking for something to watch.
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2026-02-15 07:10