The Watch
A suburban Costco manager forms an unlikely neighborhood patrol that stumbles into a vulgar fight against an alien invasion.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- vulgar
- energetic
- late night comedy viewing
- group movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film's talented ensemble stranded by a vulgar, incoherent script that awkwardly combines gross-out comedy with science fiction action.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Evan recruits Bob, Franklin, and Jamarcus into an improvised neighborhood patrol despite their lack of training or expertise.
The alien invasion storyline is repeatedly combined with penis jokes, sexual references, and gross-out humor.
The guarded Evan, aggressive Franklin, flamboyant Bob, and eccentric Jamarcus must cooperate as a watch team.
Evan manages a Costco department store, and the store's night watch and facilities become central to the alien investigation.
Films like The Watch, and why
Paul
Shared science fiction comedy, alien invasion premise, irreverent humor, and ordinary protagonists confronting extraterrestrial danger.
Ghostbusters
Shared suburban setting, paranormal threat, buddy-group dynamics, and broad comedy built around reluctant amateur heroes.
Pineapple Express
Shared lowbrow ensemble comedy, mismatched male friendships, vulgar jokes, and escalating action-comedy chaos.
Movie Details
- Director
- Akiva Schaffer
- Release Date
- 2012-07-26
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (2547)
Cast
- Ben Stiller
- Vince Vaughn
- Jonah Hill
- Richard Ayoade
- Rosemarie DeWitt
- Erinn Hayes
- Erin Moriarty
- Jill Jane Clements
- Will Forte
- Mel Rodriguez
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Watch about?
- A suburban Costco manager forms an unlikely neighborhood patrol that stumbles into a vulgar fight against an alien invasion.
- What is The Watch like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Watch as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Watch violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Watch as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Watch?
- Critics broadly found the film's talented ensemble stranded by a vulgar, incoherent script that awkwardly combines gross-out comedy with science fiction action.
- Which films are like The Watch?
- Films with a similar feel include Paul, Ghostbusters, and Pineapple Express.
- How long is The Watch?
- The Watch runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Watch?
- In United States, The Watch streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
