The Voyeurs (2021)

The Voyeurs is a sleek, provocative psychological thriller that examines the dark side of curiosity and obsession in the digital age. Directed by Michael Mohan, the film begins with a seemingly simple premise: a young couple, Pippa (played by Sydney Sweeney) and Thomas (Justice Smith), move into a chic downtown apartment and discover they have a clear view into the luxurious life of their neighbors across the street. What starts as innocent people-watching quickly descends into dangerous voyeurism—and moral collapse.

At the heart of the film lies a deeply unsettling question: Is it ever truly harmless to watch someone without their knowledge? Pippa initially seems to be driven by passive curiosity, but her obsession grows as she becomes emotionally entangled in the volatile relationship of the couple she’s observing—Seb (Ben Hardy), a charismatic fashion photographer, and Julia (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), his beautiful and seemingly naïve girlfriend. Pippa’s growing involvement—and the decisions she makes—reflect how quickly boundaries can disappear when curiosity is mistaken for concern.

As the story unfolds, The Voyeurs toys with audience expectations, shifting from romantic drama to erotic thriller to psychological horror. The tone becomes darker and more twisted as secrets are revealed and power dynamics shift. The viewer is constantly kept off-balance, much like Pippa herself, unsure of who to trust and what is real. In a bold twist, the film reveals that Pippa herself has become a target of manipulation—a victim of a disturbing plan that turns the lens back on her and questions her own morality.

Thematically, the film explores voyeurism, consent, guilt, power, and the illusion of control. It draws parallels between art and reality, especially through Seb’s photography, which objectifies and distorts truth for beauty and manipulation. Pippa’s arc, from passive observer to active participant to avenger, is both disturbing and tragic. She begins with empathy but ends in cold, calculated vengeance—highlighting how deeply personal violation can strip away innocence and reshape identity.

Visually, The Voyeurs is crafted with intentional stylization: bold lighting, sensual color palettes, and voyeuristic framing echo classic thrillers like Rear Window and Body Double, while adding a modern, digital-age twist. The film comments on how easy it is to watch others—through windows, social media, or surveillance—and how easily that power can be misused. By the end, viewers are left to reflect on their own role as “voyeurs” of the film itself, complicit in watching lives unravel from a distance.