The Watcher
Brief Synopsis
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FBI agent Joel Campbell, burnt-out and shell-shocked after years spent chasing serial killers, flees L.A. to begin a new life for himself in Chicago. But five months later, Joel's best laid plans are abruptly cut short when his new hometown becomes the setting for some particularly gruesome murders-
Cast & Crew
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Joe Charbanic
Director
James Spader
Campbell
Marisa Tomei
Polly
Keanu Reeves
Griffin
Ernie Hudson
Ibby
Chris Ellis
Hollis
Film Details
Also Known As
Watcher
MPAA Rating
Genre
Action
Crime
Thriller
Release Date
2000
Production Company
Aon/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services; Birns & Sawyer, Inc.; Centropolis Effects Llc; Chicago Film Office; City of Chicago; Coast To Coast Catering, Inc.; Comerica Entertainment Group; Deluxe Entertainment Services Group; Eastman Kodak; First Take Catering; Fotokem Film & Video; Howard Anderson Company; Illinois Film Office; Laserpacific Media Corporation; Magic Films & Video Works; Morgan Rector; Panavision, Ltd.; Pelco; Sound One; Soundelux; Tyler Camera Systems
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures; Cathay Film Organization; Constantin Film Development, Inc.; Cts; Gaga Communications (Parent); Independent Films (If); Les Films De L'Elysee; Medusa Film; Myndform; Pangea Media Group; Scanbox Entertainment; Sherlock; Tobis Film; United International Pictures; Universal Pictures; Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Location
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 36m
Synopsis
FBI agent Joel Campbell, burnt-out and shell-shocked after years spent chasing serial killers, flees L.A. to begin a new life for himself in Chicago. But five months later, Joel's best laid plans are abruptly cut short when his new hometown becomes the setting for some particularly gruesome murders--murders that could only have been committed by one man: David Allen Griffin. One of Joel's most elusive and cunning nemeses, Griffin has followed his former pursuer to Chicago in order to play a sadistic game of cat and mouse. Taunting Joel with photographs of his intended victims and leaving his crime scenes meticulously free of clues in order to keep the police at bay, Griffin derives as much pleasure out of watching Joel react to every movement as watching his victims die. But when Griffin moves into Joel's inner circle, Joel must quickly find some way to stop him before someone close to him becomes the next one to die.
Cast
James Spader
Campbell
Marisa Tomei
Polly
Keanu Reeves
Griffin
Ernie Hudson
Ibby
Chris Ellis
Hollis
Robert Cicchini
Mitch
Yvonne Niami
Lisa
Jennifer Mcshane
Diana
Gina Alexander
Sharon
Rebekah Louise Smith
Ellie
Joe Sikora
Jillian Peterson
Jessica
Michelle Dimaso
Rachel
Andrew Rothenberg
Jack Fray
David Pasquesi
Norton
Dana Kozlov
Anchorwoman
Butch Jerinic
Flower Girl
Marilyn Dodds Frank
Wanda
Rebekah Arthur
Business Woman
Sheila Lahey
Wanda'S Sister
Jason Wells
Computer Tech
Lisa Velten
Photo Store Employee
Frederic Garcia
Coffee Store Clerk
Mindy Bell
Supervising Agent
Ryan Oliver
Waiter
Varen Black
Female Reporter
Tamara Tungate
Young Woman
Quinn Yancy
Campbell'S Secretary
Jennifer Anglin
Television Reporter
Peter Reinemann
Motel Clerk
Michael Nicolosi
Passerby
Rich Komenich
Bloody Guy
Michael Guido
Mendel
Janelle Snow
Waitress
Joe Forbrich
Bennigan'S Manager
Scott Benjaminson
Guest
Michael Lariscy
Leadman (Additional Photography)
Sheila Leahey
Crew
Kenneth Acker
Other
Shaun Adams
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Jane Alderman
Casting
Mickey Alzola
Stunts
Kwame Amoaku
Production Assistant
Faires K Anderson
Other
Mickey Antonetti
Costume Supervisor
Janice Arthur
Steadicam Operator
Janice Arthur
Camera ("B" Operator)
Clay Ayers
Screenwriter
Kevin Ball
Stunts
Steve Banks
Other
Michael J Barich
Special Effects Assistant
Sam Barkan
Special Effects Coordinator
Bob Barlett
Welder
Kimberly Barlow
Production Assistant (2nd Unit)
William Barnes
Best Boy Electric (2nd Unit)
Andy Rafael Barrios
Inferno Compositor (Centropolis Effects)
Geoff Barrow
Song ("Roads")
John Barry
Song ("6 Underground")
Roger J Barski
Special Effects Assistant
Shawn Batey
Property Assistant
Jacqueline Beatka
Seamstress
Michael Beck
Special Effects Assistant
Kevin Becker
Other
Marco Beltrami
Conductor & Orchestrations; Music
Marco Beltrami
Song Producer ("Driven To This")
Brian Benson
Line Producer (Additional Photography)
Charles Benson
Driver
Matthew Benware
Carpenter
Stewart Bernstein
Foley Editor
David A Best
Other
Dario Biscaldi
Foley Artist
Paul Blanco
Rigging Electrician (2nd Unit)
Matt Blea
2nd Assistant Camera (Additional Photography)
Tommy Bongiorno
Driver
Jose Bono
Carpenter
Andy Borham
1st Additional Assistant (2nd Unit)
Scott Borisy
Swing
Troy Borlsy
Other
E Fred Bosse
Special Thanks (Lieutenant/The Chicago Police Department)
Bill Boston
Original Music
Mary A Brady
Property Assistant
Nick Brandon
Stunts
Julian Bratolyubov
Other
Michael Brogato
Electrician (2nd Unit)
Anthony J Brown
Driver
Jeffrey Brown
Assistant Production Coordinator (Ultimate Effects)
Richard D Brown
Welder
Sarah Bullion
Other
Mary Buono
2nd Hair
John Burrows
Unit Production Manager
Michelle Butler
Paint/Roto Artist (Centropolis Effects)
Dennis Byerly
Other
Ronald E Bzdyl
Driver
Barney Cabral
Supervising Sound Editor
Patrick Cabral
Foley Artist
Michael R Cairo
Driver
Aimee Campbell
Supervisor
Pam Campisciano
Special Thanks (Rpm Designs)
Christine Cannavo
Other
John Cannon
1st Assistant Sound Editor
Heather Cappiello
Script Supervisor (Ultimate Effects)
Kenny Carceller
Grip (Additional Photography)
Steve Cardone
Special Thanks
Dru Anne Carlson
Script Supervisor
Anthony Carregal
Key Set Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Laurie Carreira
Assistant Production Coordinator
Paul A Cascio
1st Assistant Camera (2nd Unit) ("A")
Maria Caso
Production Designer
Sergio Casteneda
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Michael Catalano
Best Boy Grip (Additional Photography)
Bill Cellini
Key Set Production Assistant
Michael Chapman
Director Of Photography
Christopher Charles
Other
Adrian Choi
Special Thanks
Jennifer Choi
Special Thanks
Nicholas Choi
Special Thanks
Patrick Choi
Executive Producer
Chris Christofersen
Carpenter
Paul A Christofersen
Carpenter
Thomas S Ciciura
Other
Thomas Coe
Assistant Director
Andrew Coker
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Tomm Coker
Storyboard Artist
Tim Colletti
Assistant Editor
Jacob D Collins
Sound Mixer
Tony Commiso
Driver
Ray Conchado
Swing
Joseph P Connelly
Key Grip
Matt Cordner
3-D Artist (Centropolis Effects)
Chris Corner
Song ("6 Underground")
Danielle Costa
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Liam Coverdale-howe
Song ("6 Underground")
Ronald Coy
Sign Painter
John D Crededio
Co-Executive Producer
Robert Cribbett
Supervisor
Thomas Cronin
Special Thanks (Commander/The Chicago Police Department)
Andrew Cunningham
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Paul Dallenbach
Stunts
Valerie Davidson
Adr Editor
James Elton Davis
Gaffer (Additional Photography)
Phil Davis
Special Thanks
Genevieve De Gaullande
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Dennis De La Mata
Key Grip (2nd Unit)
Michele De Lorimiar
Production Executive
Ron De Rosa
Production Supervisor
Roy Dean
Other
Chris Del Conte
Visual Effects Producer (Centropolis Effects)
Michael Delgreco
Best Boy Grip (2nd Unit)
Aaron Dem
Head Of Production (Centropolis Effects)
Michael K Devaney
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Todd Dickinson
Driver
George Disalvo
Welder
Jason Dodd
Special Effects (Ultimate Effects)
Karan Doherty
Set Costumer
Jon Doyle
Paint/Roto Artist (Centropolis Effects)
Ron Dragosh
Grip
David Driver
Grip (Additional Photography)
Jeff Duerwachter
Special Effects Assistant
Richard Dwan
Dialogue Editor
Brian Eatwell
Production Designer
Christopher Eberts
Producer
Rick Edmundson
Key Grip (Additional Photography)
Tommy Edwards
Casting Assistant
John Eiberger
Computer Graphics Consultant
Christopher D Elam
Other
David Elliot
Story By
David Elliot
Screenwriter
Casey Ellison
Best Boy Electric (Additional Photography)
John Elmore
2nd Assistant Director (2nd Unit)
Leslie Anne Engel
Production Coordinator
Ed England
Construction Coordinator
Salvatore English
Driver
Randy Eppers
Special Effects Assistant
Anthony Fatilgato
Other
David Feinner
Digital Artist
Buzz Feitshans
2nd Unit Director Of Photography (2nd Unit)
Eddie Fernandez
Stunts
Frank M Ferrari
Best Boy
Eric L Fersten
Other
John Flanagan
Special Thanks (Hostage Barricade Team Coordinator/The Chicago Police Department)
David Fogg
Supervisor
Jeph Folkins
Other
Kevin Footlik
Stills
Ron Forsythe
Best Boy Grip
Joelle Forte
Wardrobe (Ultimate Effects)
Mark Franco
Executive Producer (Centropolis Effects)
James Freer
Other
Patricia Frontain
Script Supervisor (2nd Unit)
Bill Frye
Rigging Electrician (2nd Unit)
Debbie Fuller
Special Thanks (Special Events & Film Liaison/The Chicago Police Department)
Frank Gagliano
Other
Greg Gannett
1st Additional Assistant (2nd Unit)
Deandre Gatlin
Craft Service Assistant
Will Gatlin
Craft Service
Beth Gibbons
Song ("Roads")
Agnes M Gibicar
Hair Stylist (2nd Unit)
Jeff Glueck
Additional Audio
Thomas F Glynn
Swing
Harry Gnat
Driver
Nick Godden
Production Assistant
Stuart Goetz
Music Editor
Louis Robert Gomez
Electrician (2nd Unit)
Maria Gomez
Craft Service
Veloz Gomez
Key Set Production Assistant
Kiran Gonsalves
Special Thanks
Jeff Goodvin
Grip (2nd Unit)
David Gothard
Driver
Bernard Gourley
Production Coordinator (Additional Photography)
Patricia Graham
Special Thanks
Sandra Grass
Set Decorator (Additional Photography)
Ron Grenko
Carpenter
Steven Gryb
Labor Foreman
Glenn Guenther
Dolly Grip (2nd Unit)
Thomas Guerra
Rigging Electrician (2nd Unit)
Louis J Guido
Other
Lori Guidroz
James Spader'S Makeup (Ultimate Effects)
Marlene Haegele
2nd Assistant ("B" Camera)
Christopher James Hall
Production Coordinator (Additional Photography)
Oliver Hanisch
Stunts
Sonia Harper-walsh
Payroll Accountant
Barbara Harris
Voice Casting
John Hartigan
Special Effects (Ultimate Effects)
Tom Hartigan
Special Effects (Ultimate Effects)
Dr. Diana L Haskins
Special Thanks
Daniel Heaton
Carpenter
Brian Heckler
Production Assistant
Kira Hellickson
Other
Douglas Henri
Grip (Additional Photography)
Ross Hensley
Carpenter
Daniel Sarabia Hernandez
Other
Chris Hertrich
Production Assistant (Ultimate Effects)
Cort Hessler Iii
Stunt Coordinator
Mathew Hickey
Production Assistant (2nd Unit)
Miriam Hoffman
Set Costumer
Bill Hogan
Transportation Coordinator
Aaron C Holden
Property Master
Montgomery Horn
Product Placement
Russell Hosking
Best Boy Electric (Additional Photography)
Film Details
Also Known As
Watcher
MPAA Rating
Genre
Action
Crime
Thriller
Release Date
2000
Production Company
Aon/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services; Birns & Sawyer, Inc.; Centropolis Effects Llc; Chicago Film Office; City of Chicago; Coast To Coast Catering, Inc.; Comerica Entertainment Group; Deluxe Entertainment Services Group; Eastman Kodak; First Take Catering; Fotokem Film & Video; Howard Anderson Company; Illinois Film Office; Laserpacific Media Corporation; Magic Films & Video Works; Morgan Rector; Panavision, Ltd.; Pelco; Sound One; Soundelux; Tyler Camera Systems
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures; Cathay Film Organization; Constantin Film Development, Inc.; Cts; Gaga Communications (Parent); Independent Films (If); Les Films De L'Elysee; Medusa Film; Myndform; Pangea Media Group; Scanbox Entertainment; Sherlock; Tobis Film; United International Pictures; Universal Pictures; Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Location
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 36m
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Fall September 8, 2000
Released in United States on Video February 20, 2001
Universal reportedly paid only $5 million for the domestic rights.
Feature directorial debut for music video director Joe Charbanic.
Completed shooting December 15, 1999.
Began shooting November 1, 1999.
Released in United States Fall September 8, 2000
Released in United States on Video February 20, 2001
