The foreign setting heightens the sense of eerie isolation Julia is feeling.
Francis and his colleagues speak about the disturbing, gory details with desensitized intrigue.
Visibly uncomfortable with their nonchalance, Julia excuses herself and steps away.
Image via IFC Midnight
When walking to the movies, she feels the presence of a man walking behind her.
Shes visibly terrified, wondering if its the same man whos been watching her through the window.
Nielsen doesnt yet bring the Watchers face into focus, granting only blink-and-you-miss-it glimpses.
Image via IFC Films
This doubt is unfortunately heightened by Julias husband, who continually dismisses Julias worries.
Francis goes with him and reluctantly confirms that its the same man.
Its a painful depiction of the harrowing cycle that plays out so often in real life.
Even with the evidence in front of him, Francis makes Julia feel like shes misinterpreting things.
Julias frustration reaches its climax when she attends a fancy work gathering with Francis.
As they clink champagne glasses with his colleagues, the conversation shifts from English to Romanian.
The camera closes in on Monroes powerful gaze, rage and disbelief overwhelming her.
Speechless and utterly defeated, Julia cries, frozen in place as Francis returns to the party.
Its a devastating visualization of her isolation amidst the enraging indifference of those around her.
Upon boarding the train, she looks up to see the Watcher sitting several seats down.
The Watcher has taken a seat across from her and begins to make pleasant small talk.
She contemplates his intentions, his momentary kindness forcing her to doubt what she knows is true.
His tone begins to shift from warm to threatening as the frame slowly zooms in on his grocery bag.
Suddenly, Julia notices whats inside it: her neighbor Irinas severed head.
Its a both terrifying and satisfying confirmation that Julias paranoia was valid.
Shes been right all along despite being continually gaslit to think otherwise.
Julia runs home to find Irinas headless body in her apartment.
Covered in blood, she glares at the Watcher crumpled on the floor.
Monroes cutting gaze slices right through him, her furious eyes screaming I told you so.
Its an explosive finale that masterfully unleashes the bottled-up pain and rage that has been growing within her.
