Where the real life family from Netflix series The Watcher are now
Topics: Netflix, TV And Film
Anish Vij
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, TV And Film
It seems that the whereabouts of the real life family from The Watcher has been revealed.
The new Netflix horror series has taken the platform by storm after knocking Dahmer off the top 10 spot.
Based on a true story, The Watcher follows a family whose dream move into their suburban home soon becomes a living hell with eerie letters from a threatening stalker ‘obsessed’ with their house for decades.
Take a look at the trailer below:
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Back in 2018, New York Magazine published 'The Watcher', which documented a New Jersey family who were being stalked by a mysterious letter writer.
The article later became the basis for the Netflix series.
Upon arrival at their new home, the stalker sent a horrifying letter to parents Derek and Maria Broaddus, which read: "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."
It added: "All of the windows and doors in 657 Boulevard allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house.
"Who am I? I am the Watcher and have been in control of 657 Boulevard for the better part of two decades now... I pass by many times a day.
"657 Boulevard is my job, my life, my obsession.
"And now you are too Broaddus family. Welcome to the product of your greed!"
While the series stars the likes of Bobby Cannavale, Naomi Watts and Jennifer Coolidge, the real life Broaddus family still live in the New Jersey area but have moved into a new house, according to The Cut.
They never moved into 657 Boulevard, instead deciding to rent it to a tenant at a low rent for a few years, before selling it in 2019 for a loss – around $400,000 less than they bought it for.
When a new family moved in, the Broadduses left them a note that read: "We wish you nothing but the peace and quiet that we once dreamed of in this house."
However, they also left them a picture of a note from The Watcher, so the new family could identify the handwriting if they received a letter themselves. Thankfully, so far, there have been no letters.
The Broaddus family asked Netflix to not include their real names in the series and have avoided interviews and comments, though reportedly suggested Netflix include a scene in which the house burns down. While Derek Broaddus said he would not be watching the series, Cosmopolitan reports.
Locals say they are no longer feeling the impact of 'The Watcher' and that they rarely think of them.
From the creative mind behind American Horror Story, Ratched and Scream Queens, the official synopsis for The Watcher reads: "After the Brannock family moves into what was supposed to be their suburban dream home, it quickly becomes a living hell. Ominous letters from someone calling themself 'The Watcher' are just the beginning as the neighborhood’s sinister secrets come spilling out. Inspired by the true story of the infamous 'Watcher' house in New Jersey."
The Watcher is available to watch on Netflix now.