(Credits: Far Out / MUBI)
While Keanu Reeves is primarily known for his phenomenal work in the blockbuster world of the action thriller genre, he has ventured into the chilling baths of horror cinema on occasion. With the actor being something of a departure from the usual faces of the scariest films, Reeves has provided a refreshing take on the familiar suspects.
In Constantine, Reeves perhaps gave his most nuanced horror performance, transcending the boundaries of the supernatural film genre and bringing the iconic detective into a new light. The Francis Lawrence superhero horror flick saw Reeves cement his place as one of the most considerable movie stars at the time, following on from the success of The Matrix.
However, while Reeves’ Constantine effort is a true cinematic marvel and feast for the eyes, it’s fair to say that he’s also offered up his talents to a handful of horror movies that haven’t quite hit the mark. In fact, even the actor himself has admitted that two of the horror films he’s been in have been of the poorest quality.
Reeves once explained that he was tricked into his role in the 2000 horror movie The Watcher, directed by Joe Chabarnic and also starred James Spader and Marisa Tomei, telling of a retired FBI agent who is stalked by a serial killer. Reeves once told The Calgary Sun:, “I never found the script interesting, but a friend of mine forged my signature on the agreement. I couldn’t prove he did, and I didn’t want to get sued, so I had no other choice but to do the film.”
The actor once doubled down on his comments in an inadvertent manner. When talking about his horror movie Knock Knock with IndieWire, the publication noted that he hadn’t been in a horror film for some time, at which point, he responded to what he thought was The Watcher, “It was a disaster. I hate that movie. It’s terrible. It’s a disaster.”
Interestingly, the interviewer thought he had been referring to his other 2000 horror film, The Gift, directed by Sam Raimi, clarifying, “Oh, The Gift! I was thinking of The Watcher. Oh, The Gift is fantastic. Sam Raimi! That’s great. You said The Gift, and my brain went to The Watcher. Donny Barksdale. So fantastic.”
Check out the trailer for the diabolical The Watcher below to see why Keanu Reeves feels such embarrassment about having performed in it.
