The Watch Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Costco manager starts a neighborhood watch, and they end up fighting aliens whose weakness is their sensitive bits, turning suburban boredom into an intergalactic groin-shot extravaganza.

🍿 The Watch: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder and Formation of the Watch

Evan Trautwig, a Costco manager in Glenview, Ohio, starts a neighborhood watch after a security guard is mysteriously murdered at the store. His motivations stem from a desire to do good and find purpose in his suburban life. The watch initially consists of three quirky individuals: Bob, Franklin, and Jamarcus. The watch group uses their meetings as an excuse to escape their mundane routines, mostly drinking and socializing. Evan attempts to keep the group focused on neighborhood safety, often clashing with the others’ more relaxed approach. This sets the stage for the unfolding comedic events and the unexpected threat they soon encounter.

Discovery of the Alien Threat

During one of their patrols, the watch members accidentally strike something with their car, leading them to discover a strange, highly destructive metallic orb. The orb’s unusual properties cause them to suspect an extraterrestrial presence in Glenview. Simultaneously, a series of bizarre murders plague the town, further fueling their paranoia. The group encounters a real alien, confirming their suspicions. After a clumsy attempt to capture it, the alien escapes, warning them that others have infiltrated the town disguised as humans. This revelation forces the watch to take their mission more seriously, albeit in their own inept way.

Personal Conflicts and Suspicions

As the threat escalates, personal issues and suspicions among the group create further complications. Bob is concerned about his daughter’s safety and her questionable boyfriend. Evan struggles to tell his wife about his infertility issues, fearing it will damage their relationship. These personal conflicts highlight the characters’ vulnerabilities and add depth to their comedic interactions. They begin suspecting their neighbors, leading to comical investigations and misunderstandings. The tension between their personal lives and their duty to protect the town adds layers to the narrative.

The Final Showdown at Costco

The group discovers that the aliens are planning to use a transmitter located beneath the Costco store to summon an alien armada to destroy Earth. With the help of Jamarcus, who reveals himself to be a reformed alien, they infiltrate the Costco to stop the invasion. The confrontation leads to a chaotic and absurd showdown with the aliens. In the end, the watch manages to destroy the transmitter and the aliens, saving Glenview and the world. The final battle solidifies their bond and marks a turning point for each of the characters.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Evan (Ben Stiller): The overzealous Costco manager who starts a neighborhood watch to investigate a murder and ends up fighting aliens.
• Bob (Vince Vaughn): A boisterous and overprotective father who joins the watch seeking male bonding and an escape from family life.
• Franklin (Jonah Hill): A volatile and rejected police academy applicant who uses the watch to live out his law enforcement fantasies.
• Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade): A divorced and somewhat enigmatic member of the watch who provides deadpan humor and a surprising twist.
• Abby (Rosemarie DeWitt): Evan’s supportive wife who navigates their relationship while dealing with his community involvement and personal struggles.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bob: “I’m just saying, you can’t spell ‘manslaughter’ without ‘laughter’.” – Bob tries to lighten the mood with his inappropriate sense of humor during a serious discussion.
• Franklin: “If you are going to own a katana, you gotta learn how to use it.” – Franklin defends his collection of weapons and his preparedness for any situation.
• Evan: “We’re a neighborhood watch. We’re supposed to watch the neighborhood.” – Evan insists on sticking to the plan and maintaining order within the group’s activities.
• Jamarcus: “I just feel like, as a black man, I’m contractually obligated to die first in this situation.” – Jamarcus comments on a movie trope about the fate of black characters in horror and action films.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $68,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $35,353,000
• Worldwide Gross: $68,267,862

💥 The Watch Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘The Watch’ expecting some laughs and a bit of mindless fun, and it delivered… somewhat. There were definitely moments where I chuckled, especially with Richard Ayoade’s dry humor. But honestly, the plot felt a bit all over the place. One minute they’re dealing with suburban anxieties, the next they’re battling aliens with a very specific weakness. Still, it was entertaining enough for a rainy afternoon, and I definitely laughed harder than I expected to.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Jonah Hill.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy raunchy comedies with sci-fi elements.”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted, absurd movie.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Violence”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “”The Watch” struggles to balance its raunchy humor with a sci-fi plot, resulting in a tonally inconsistent experience. While the cast has moments of brilliance, the overall story feels underdeveloped and reliant on cheap laughs. It’s a missed opportunity for a truly clever comedy.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite the talented cast, “The Watch” fails to deliver consistent laughs. The humor often feels forced and the alien invasion plot seems like an afterthought. It’s a passable distraction, but ultimately forgettable.
• IGN: “”The Watch” boasts a funny premise and a strong comedic ensemble, but it’s bogged down by a weak script and uneven pacing. The film relies too heavily on vulgar humor at the expense of genuine wit.

Audience Reactions

Richard Ayoade’s performance was a scene-stealer, delivering consistently hilarious deadpan humor.: Most viewers agreed that Richard Ayoade brought a unique comedic style that stood out among the established comedians.

The movie offered laugh out loud moments, even if the plot sometimes felt uneven and silly.: Many enjoyed the film as a lighthearted comedy, even if it wasn’t a cinematic masterpiece.

Overall Consensus: While “The Watch” has its moments of humor and a strong cast, it ultimately suffers from an inconsistent plot and an over-reliance on crude jokes, leading to a mixed reception from both critics and audiences.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie’s original title was ‘Neighborhood Watch,’ but it was changed due to the Trayvon Martin case to avoid controversy.”
• “Jonah Hill had to drop out of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Django Unchained’ initially to take on his role in ‘The Watch,’ but production delays allowed him to do both.”
• “Much of the dialogue was ad-libbed by Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn, contributing to the film’s improvisational feel.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Watch?

The Watch is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video and Apple TV where it is available for purchase or rental. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options, or use services like JustWatch to compare streaming and purchase options across multiple platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Watch, you might like these similar films:

• Paul (2011): A group of unlikely friends encounters an alien and goes on a road trip adventure with humor and heart.
• Ghostbusters (1984): A group of misfit professionals band together to fight supernatural threats with comedic results.
• Men in Black (1997): Deals with a secret organization that polices alien activity on Earth, blending sci-fi with comedy.
• This Is the End (2013): Celebrities playing themselves deal with an apocalyptic event, resulting in dark and absurd humor.

🛒 The Watch Related Products

• The Watch (Blu-ray): Own the hilarious sci-fi comedy on Blu-ray with exclusive bonus content, behind-the-scenes footage, and deleted scenes. Perfect for fans who want to relive the laughs and explore the making of the film.
• Funko Pop! Movies: The Watch – Bob: A Funko Pop! figure of Vince Vaughn’s character, Bob, in his neighborhood watch uniform, is a perfect desk or shelf display piece for fans who enjoyed Vaughn’s comedic performance.
• Costco Employee T-Shirt – Inspired by The Watch: A humorous t-shirt that says “I Work At Costco… Saving The World One Membership At A Time.” This novelty shirt is for those who love the movie and its Costco setting.
• Alien Invasion Survival Kit: A novelty survival kit gag gift for any occasion; This kit helps prepare those in an alien invasion and contains: camouflage face paint, water purification tablets, multi-tool, emergency blanket, flashlight, survival guide, and a lawn gnome.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Watch features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bad Romance” – performed by Lady Gaga
• “Sound of the Police” – performed by KRS-One

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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