The Woman in the Yard

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In the growing collection of Blumhouse productions, the newest horror flick is titled “The Woman in the Backyard”. Although its title might not seem particularly thrilling, the film’s leading actress definitely is. Danielle Deadwyler has delivered exceptional performances and should have garnered at least two Oscar nominations. Knowing she’s involved makes this movie a top priority for me to watch.

Jaume Collet-Serra, who often works with Liam Neeson and Dwayne Johnson, is the director of ‘The Woman in the Yard‘. Known for his contributions to the horror genre, he directed ‘House of Wax’ in 2005 as his first film and followed it up with the psychological thriller ‘Orphan’ in 2009. Interestingly, Collet-Serra also steered one of the biggest movie surprises of 2024, titled ‘Carry-On’.

In this tale, we focus on Ramona (Deadwyler), the mother, along with her children Taylor (Peyton Jackson) and Annie (Estella Kahiha). They’re struggling to find their footing after a devastating event: the death of their father, David (Russell Hornsby), in a car crash. Ramona, who has a broken leg, is grappling more deeply than anyone else, as her emotional turmoil from severe depression outweighs her physical injury.

Intriguingly, the family dynamics unfold in an engaging manner, particularly during the initial part of the film. Ramona, although physically strained, appears even more distressed mentally. Her overly stringent nature and emotional detachment are subtly widening the rift between her and Taylor. Despite his efforts to shoulder more responsibilities at home, Taylor remains a young boy yearning for his father’s presence. Meanwhile, little Annie is attempting to make sense of the situation in her own way.

One morning, waking up at their countryside home, the family discovers there’s no electricity. Trying to contact the power company using her phone, Ramona realizes it’s dead. Over breakfast, they’re startled by seeing an enigmatic woman cloaked in black sitting on a chair in their yard. Unable to communicate with her, this puzzling figure shifts from being an eerie enigma to a chilling threat.

The film titled ‘The Woman in the Yard’ poses a challenging viewing experience. It benefits greatly from Deadwyler’s direction and standout performances by young actors Jackson and Kahiha. The single-location setting serves as fertile ground for the movie’s intended themes. The first half effectively lays the foundation for what could be a profound exploration of grief. Okwui Okpokwasili’s portrayal of the woman creates an eerie, formidable presence on screen.

The second part of the movie becomes less engaging as Collet-Serra progressively reveals his plot twists. Even an experienced horror viewer might predict who the woman is and her symbolic significance. However, the main problem lies in the delivery. By the climax, the storyline becomes so convoluted that it’s hard to follow, despite knowing the movie’s intended message. Regrettably, the last act slows down the film significantly, which is disappointing given its promising start.

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2025-04-03 17:56