Watchmen is a 2009 American superhero film directed by Zack Snyder, based on the 1986â€"87 DC Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. After the revelation of “The Dark Knight," here is “Watchmen," another bold exercise in the liberation of the superhero movie. It's a compelling visceral film â€" sound, images and characters combined into a decidedly odd visual experience that evokes the feel of a graphic novel.