Netflix viewers have been sleeping with the light on or calling friends for impromptu sleepovers after watching the new horror series The Watcher. Based on a true story, The Watcher follows a family as they move into their dream house, only to be stalked out of it by a mysterious letter writer.
Despite a long investigation by police and private detectives, the culprit has never been caught. After five years of torment, the real-life family sold the house without ever finding the answers they so desperately craved.
Now, fans have taken to social media to admit their paranoia after watching the seven-part series. Many have confessed that they have found it difficult to sleep, fearing that they themselves are being stalked by The Watcher.
Read more: The weird and freaky true story behind Netflix's The Watcher
"I'm into some pretty scary s**t but The Watcher might just be a little too much for me," said one. Another admitted: "Don’t watch The Watcher before you sleep, I’m paranoid as hell."
A third Tweet read: "Watched the first episode of The Watcher last night and I’m never going to sleep again." Another viewer said: "The Watcher makes me not wanna sleep alone."
"I did not know the watcher was gon be this scary. I got every light on [and] I'm bout to call my friends and see who fina come sleep over," added a fifth.
Many reasoned that they were especially freaked out once they learned that the show was based on a true story. One said: "I keep telling myself that The Watcher on Netflix isn’t real so I can go to sleep at night but the fact that this was a true story? WTF."
'The fact that The Watcher is based on a true story creeps me tf out,' added another person. 'Wow, a show or movie hasn't had me like this in years and all I watch is scary stuff,' read another.
The inspiration behind The Watcher is the Broaddus family, who moved into their dream house, 657 Boulevard, in 2014. Days after the sale on the house was completed, Derek Broaddus found the first letter from The Watcher.
It read: "Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard, allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood. 657 Boulevard has been the subject of my family for decades now and as it approaches its 110th birthday, I have been put in charge of watching and waiting for its second coming.
"My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time.
"Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard?
"Why are you here? I will find out.
"Do you need to fill the house with the young blood I requested? Better for me.
"Was your old house too small for the growing family? Or was it greed to bring me your children?
"Once I know their names I will call to them and draw them too [sic] me. Who am I?
“There are hundreds and hundreds of cars that drive by 657 Boulevard each day. Maybe I am in one.
"Look at all the windows you can see from 657 Boulevard. Maybe I am in one.
"Look out any of the many windows in 657 Boulevard at all the people who stroll by each day. Maybe I am one.
“Welcome my friends, welcome. Let the party begin”
It was signed with a signature typed in a cursive font. Just two words: “The Watcher”.
A number of other letters followed but no one was ever able to uncover the identity of The Watcher. The series on Netflix is based off a story written about the Broaddus family by New York magazine's The Cut.
Read next:
