As a psychological thriller, I Am Watching You aligns with modern thriller conventions, focusing on the psychological depth of its characters and the suspense driven by their hidden fears and desires. The novel derives its thrills as much from the tortuous psyche of its characters as it does from its twist-filled plot. The narrative pays close attention to the internal monologue of characters such as Ella, Henry, Sarah, and Matthew, exploring what powers their actions. For instance, the narrative grounds Sarah’s refusal to leave the club with Anna in her complex past and her compulsions, such as Sarah’s desire to fit in with the larger world. Similarly, Henry’s secretiveness is revealed to be the consequence of his struggle to balance his identities as a father, farmer, and a man committing infidelity. Another feature of the psychological thriller genre that the novel exhibits is a focus on the pathologies of its antagonists. The novel pays close attention to Tim’s disordered thinking in first-person interludes, where he admits to loving the power that he feels over the people he stalks.

The novel also pays attention to the heightened emotions of its characters, including fear, grief, guilt, and paranoia.