The Voyeurs (2021) is an erotic thriller directed by Michael Mohan starring Sydney Sweeney and Justice Smith. Set in Montreal, this sensual and suspenseful film explores voyeurism, obsession, and betrayal with a provocative twist. Read our full review.
🎥 The Voyeurs (2021) – Movie Review 🕵️♀️🔥
Genre: Erotic Thriller
Director: Michael Mohan
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Justice Smith, Ben Hardy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Runtime: 116 minutes
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
⭐ BMR Rating: 6.8/10
📖 Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Pippa (Sydney Sweeney) and Thomas (Justice Smith) are a young couple who’ve just moved into a stylish loft apartment in Montreal. Life seems perfect until they notice their floor-to-ceiling windows provide a perfect view into the apartment across the street—occupied by a seemingly glamorous couple, Seb (Ben Hardy), a fashion photographer, and Julia (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), a model.
What starts off as innocent curiosity quickly spirals into voyeuristic obsession. As Pippa and Thomas become emotionally entangled in their neighbors’ increasingly complex and provocative relationship, boundaries begin to blur. How far is too far when watching from afar? And what happens when the watchers become part of the story?
🎭 Performances & Characters
🔹 Sydney Sweeney as Pippa
Sweeney is undeniably the film’s standout. Her performance captures the delicate balance between naivety and growing obsession. She brings both vulnerability and intensity to the role, making her descent into obsession feel believable and unsettling.
🔹 Justice Smith as Thomas
Smith delivers a grounded performance as the more cautious and rational half of the couple. His character becomes a voice of reason, which makes the tension between him and Pippa all the more compelling as she dives deeper into the voyeuristic rabbit hole.
🔹 Ben Hardy & Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Both actors embody the seductive, enigmatic energy required for their roles. Hardy’s charming but toxic masculinity contrasts beautifully with Bordizzo’s melancholic vulnerability. They’re key to the film’s sex appeal and mystery.
🎬 Direction & Cinematography
Michael Mohan’s direction is confident and stylish. The film’s visual language—created through Elisha Christian’s cinematography—is key to its appeal. The apartment settings, with their modern architecture and massive windows, are cleverly used to create an atmosphere of constant surveillance.
The lighting shifts between warm, seductive tones and colder, thriller-like blues, mirroring the psychological journey of the characters. The camera lingers just long enough to create discomfort, making the audience feel complicit in the voyeurism.
🎼 Music & Sound Design
Will Bates’ score effectively builds tension and sensuality, matching the film’s erotic thriller tone. It’s subtle but ever-present, like a whisper that something isn’t quite right. Sound design is also used smartly, particularly in the film’s quieter, more intimate scenes.
🧠 Themes & Symbolism
The Voyeurs is more than just a steamy thriller—it explores:
- Voyeurism: The pleasure of watching and the illusion of control.
- Consent & Boundaries: What happens when observing crosses into invading?
- Obsession: How curiosity, when left unchecked, can become dangerous.
- Technology & Privacy: The ease with which people can become digital stalkers without leaving their homes.
The film asks: Is it still a secret if no one is technically hiding?
⚖️ Strengths vs Weaknesses
✅ Strengths:
- Strong performances, especially by Sydney Sweeney
- Stylish visuals and seductive atmosphere
- Suspenseful pacing with unexpected twists
- Explores complex moral territory
❌ Weaknesses:
- Some plot twists feel overly dramatic or far-fetched
- Characters occasionally behave unrealistically
- The erotic elements may feel gratuitous to some viewers
🧩 Final Verdict
The Voyeurs is a provocative and stylish thriller that asks uncomfortable questions about privacy, desire, and human nature. It’s a slow-burn psychological experience, with enough twists to keep you hooked till the very end. While it’s not without flaws, it’s certainly a unique offering in the streaming thriller category.
If you’re a fan of films like Rear Window, Eyes Wide Shut, or Gone Girl, this one might just intrigue you.
🎯 Watch It If You Like:
- Erotic thrillers with a twist
- Psychological dramas about obsession
- Stylish cinematography and modern relationship dynamics
🎬 Where to Watch
📺 Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video