The Watcher is a 2000 American thriller film directed by Joe Charbanic and starring James Spader, Marisa Tomei, and Keanu Reeves. Set in Chicago, the film is about a retired FBI agent who is stalked and taunted by a serial killer.
Plot
In Los Angeles, FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell is moments too late to save a young woman from a serial killer he has been investigating, who escapes. Campbell quits his job and moves to Chicago, where he is plagued by guilt-induced migraines. Campbell attends therapy sessions with Dr. Polly Beilman, but otherwise has no friends or social life.
Campbell learns that a woman who lived in his apartment building has been murdered. He does not pay it much attention until he opens his mail and finds that a picture of the woman had been sent to his apartment three days before the murder. He brings this information to the attention of the detective on the case, Det. Mackie, and comes to the conclusion that the same serial killer has arrived in Chicago. FBI Special Agent in Charge Ibby tries to persuade Campbell to return to the case, but he refuses.
One night Campbell receives a phone call from the killer, David Allen Griffin, who reveals that he followed Campbell to Chicago and wants to rebuild the "rapport" they once had. Griffin tells Campbell that he will send a photo of a woman in the morning and that Campbell has until 9:00 pm that night to find her. Campbell tells Ibby that he wants back in on the case, and his request is granted.
Campbell works together with Mackie and the rest of the team in getting the word out on finding the woman before the deadline. However, by the time Campbell gets her house number and calls, Griffin is already there, and has killed her. Griffin suggests that they continue their "game" with a different woman. The next day, Campbell and his team try to find the next intended victim before the 9:00 pm deadline. They corner and almost catch Griffin, but he manages to once again kill the woman and escape. Later that night, Campbell is found unconscious in his apartment by his colleagues.
The next day, another photo arrives, but it turns out to be the image of Lisa Anton, Campbell's former lover who was killed by Griffin back in Los Angeles. Campbell goes to Lisa's grave, where Griffin is waiting for him. Griffin explains that he has Beilman hostage somewhere, and only wants to talk with him. Campbell negotiates for Beilman's safety, and Griffin eventually agrees to bring Campbell to see her. During the drive, Griffin explains that he considers Campbell a "good friend", and that the two of them need each other. Campbell secretly uses his cell phone to call Mackie, cluing him in on the situation. Griffin takes Campbell to the warehouse, knocks him out, and restrains him while he starts to strangle Beilman. Campbell distracts Griffin by saying 'thank you'. When Griffin asks Campbell to repeat himself, Campbell does, and proceeds to stab him in the neck with a pen before shooting him in the shoulder with a double-barrelled shotgun. Campbell rescues Beilman and gets them both to safety as the warehouse explodes, killing Griffin.
When Campbell and Beilman are safe, Campbell goes over to Griffin's charred corpse and looks at it to make sure he is dead.
Cast
James Spader as FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell
Marisa Tomei as Dr. Polly Beilman
Keanu Reeves as David Allen Griffin
Ernie Hudson as FBI Special Agent In Charge Mike Ibby
Chris Ellis as Detective Hollis Mackie
Robert Cicchini as FBI Special Agent Mitch Casper
Jenny McShane as FBI Agent Diana
Gina Alexander as FBI Agent Sharon
Andrew Rothenberg as FBI Agent Jack Fray
David Pasquesi as FBI Agent Norton
Michael Guido as FBI Agent Mendel
Mindy Bell as Supervising Agent
Yvonne Niami as Lisa Marie Anton
Rebekah Louise Smith as Ellie Buckner, Third Chicago Victim
Jillian Peterson as Jessica, Fourth Chicago Victim
Michele DiMaso as Rachel, Jessica's Mother
Joseph Sikora as Skater
Butch Jerinic as Flower Girl
Jason Wells as Computer Tech
Tamara Tungate as Young Woman
Erikka Yancy as Campbell's Secretary
Marilyn Dodds Frank as Wanda
Shela Coleman as Wanda's Sister
Kyle Hillman as FBI Agent (uncredited) Scott A. Martin as FBI Agent (uncredited) Eriq F. Prince as FBI Agent (uncredited) Jimmy Star as FBI Agent (uncredited) Terrence Smith-Purdis as Paramedic (Uncredited)