The Woman in the Yard

I can't say I was impressed by The Woman In The Yard. It starts promising, a bit intriguing and mysterious but then it just went downhill. Weak writing was the major cause for a failed horror movie. The acting from the very small cast was okay though, nothing bad to write about them, but the plot just didn't help to save this movie. I'm not going to go into details as I don't want to spoil the story for future viewers but there were just things that didn't make any sense at all and that's why this wasn't a good movie. A bit boring as well at one point. I wouldn't waste my time with this one if I were you.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Woman in the Yard is a fair psychological horror film that has a creepy concept but as the story goes on it loses its steam.

Pros:

The plot is okay. About a family going through grief and living at a farm house. Until a creepy lady all in black sits out in the yard. And gets closer and closer with creepy messages.

It has a great cast ensemble and great performances.

The direction can be creepy as the lady gets closer and going after the family by the shadows.

Cons:

The film does lack scared, jump scares, or any thrills. I feel like the direction missed out on that opportunity.

As the plot starts unraveling during the climax, the real horror loses itself. Also making it difficult to even care for the film without going into spoiler territory. The climax and ending was a little disappointing.

Overall, it is an okay film that starts out great but falls apart too quickly as it gets to the end.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra, ventures into the realm of psychological horror with The Women in the Yard, and the result is a thought-provoking experience. Anchored by a powerful performance from Danielle Deadwyler, the film burrows under the skin, exploring the insidious nature of grief, guilt, and the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Deadwyler portrays Ramona with a raw intensity. She is a woman fractured by loss and the weight of a terrible secret. Her physical disability, a constant reminder of the fatal car accident, mirrors her emotional paralysis. The arrival of the enigmatic Woman, played with an unsettling stillness by Okwui Okpokwasili, throws Ramona's already fragile world into chilling disarray. Okpokwasili's presence is a masterclass in understated horror; her veiled face and pronouncements of "Today's the day" create an atmosphere of relentless dread.

Collet-Serra expertly crafts a sense of claustrophobia within the confines of the isolated farmhouse. The cinematography, often bathed in stark daylight that somehow feels more menacing than darkness, amplifies the feeling of being exposed and vulnerable. The unsettling sound design further contributes to the creeping unease, making the ordinary seem sinister.

However, The Women in the Yard transcends mere jump scares, delving into profound and disturbing themes. The film cleverly uses the supernatural to externalize Ramona's internal torment. Saying anything further at this point, drifts us into spoiler territory.

The revelation of the Woman's true nature is a chilling twist that reframes the entire film. It forces the audience to reconsider every interaction and realize the battle Ramona is fighting. The ending, unsettling and leaves a lingering sense of unease.

While some may find the pacing deliberate and the horror more psychological than visceral, The Women in the Yard is a compelling and disturbing. It's a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on the shadows we carry within ourselves.

So I just watched The Woman in the Yard, and wow, it's got this creepy, slow burn vibe that really pulls you in, even if it doesn't totally nail the finish. It's about a mom trying to keep it together for her two kids in this beat up farmhouse after a rough loss. They're barely scraping by, with no power, an empty fridge, and a ton of tension. Then this mysterious woman in black shows up in their yard out of nowhere, just sitting there, giving off major eerie energy with these cryptic one liners that'll make your skin crawl.

The movie starts strong. The director knows how to crank up the unease, with those shots of the woman chilling in the yard while the family watches from inside being pure suspense gold. It looks gorgeous too; the sunny days somehow feel unsettling, which is a neat trick. The mom carries the whole thing, feeling raw and real as someone on the edge, wrestling with depression that's just palpable. The kids are solid too, especially the teenage son who's got that moody vibe down. And the woman in black is quietly terrifying, like she's hiding something big without even trying.

It's got this haunting, almost dreamlike feel with some freaky moments that'll stick with you, focusing more on "what's going on" than gore. The tension builds nicely for most of it, but toward the end, it kinda stumbles. It's going for something deep about grief and depression, which I respect, but it doesn't fully tie everything together as smoothly as it could. Still, it's a solid watch if you're into horror that's more about atmosphere than cheap scares. Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and dive in; it's not perfect, but it's got enough chills and standout performances to make it worth your time.

A slow-burning psychological horror that lingers in the mind long after it ends. I've been a fan of Jaume Collet-Serra's horror movies (Orphan and House of Wax) for a while, mostly for the their over-the-top scares. Here he crafts a quiet, creeping dread as Ramona (the fantastic Danielle Deadwyler), grieving her husband's death and immobilized by a broken leg, watches an ominous woman inch closer to her isolated farmhouse. Subtle visual storytelling replaces exposition, with deep-focus shots and eerie sound design immersing us in Ramona's unraveling psyche. The film methodically builds tension through whispered horror before plunging into full-blown terror in its final act, recontextualizing everything with a surreal climax. Not every theme fully locks into place, but its haunting atmosphere and layered symbolism make it a compelling, rewatchable experience I didn't expect from this studio.

6.5/10.