Watchmen is a superhero film directed by Zack Snyder, released in 2009. The film is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The ensemble cast includes Malin Åkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson.

Set in an alternate 1985 where superheroes have altered the course of history, the film explores a world on the brink of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The story begins with the murder of a former superhero known as The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), a masked vigilante, investigates the murder and uncovers a plot that could change the fate of humanity.

As Rorschach reconnects with his former colleagues—Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre (Malin Åkerman), Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), and Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup)—they confront their pasts and the complex moral ambiguities of their roles as heroes. Dr. Manhattan, a superhuman being with god-like powers, struggles with his detachment from humanity, while the others grapple with their identities and the consequences of their actions.

Watchmen delves into themes of power, morality, and the nature of heroism, questioning the traditional notions of good and evil. The film is known for its dark tone, complex characters, and faithful recreation of the graphic novel’s visual style. While it received mixed reviews from critics, it was praised for its ambitious storytelling, visual effects, and the depth of its source material, making it a thought-provoking and visually striking entry in the superhero genre.