The Woman in the Yard
review by Bobby Blakey
Director Jaume Collet-Serra has a impressive filmography with a variety of films including Jungle Cruise, Black Adam, and more recently Carry-On. Early on in his career he delivered numerous horror films including Orphan and now he is returning to the genre with his latest film The Woman in the Yard starring Danielle Deadwyler, Okwui Okpokwasili, Peyton Jackson, Estella Kahiha, and Russell Hornsby. Could this return to horror bring something that stands out or should it just get off the lawn?
The Woman in the Yard follows the cryptic warning, “When the sun is bright and the wind is still, she comes to you like a sudden chill. Draped in black from head to toe, how she got there, you’ll never know” bringing an otherworldly woman that sends a family into a seemingly inescapable nightmare. Already grieving the death of her husband, Ramona faces a new fear when this mysterious figure appears outside her farmhouse. With the woman continually creeping closer, Ramona must protect her children from the chilling grasp of this haunting entity whose unknown intentions are anything but peaceful.
I honestly thought this looked kind of creepy and was looking forward to seeing what Collet-Serra put together returning to the genre. While there is an interesting story here and the ideals it is trying to convey, the film just doesn’t offer up all that much. There are some creepy visuals and a decent enough twist, but nothing that ever digs the film out of its own problems.
Right out the gate I was quickly annoyed with everyone in this film. I know they are trying to show this dysfunctional family and their issues, but everyone just came off as unlikeable and annoying. The worst was the son as
he is constantly just arguing and causing issues to the point of being useless and in the way as well as just a jerk. I know it was supposed to be the anger he is dealing with from the family’s loss, but it just never worked for me with him or any of the others for that matter.
When we finally get more to the meat of things with the woman in the yard herself things do get more compelling for a short time before getting lost again in the randomness of it all. All while all these crazy things are happening there is never a real sense of urgency or terror until way late into the film and even then, most of the time people just seemed confused. The big twist in the final act that is revealing it all to us is an interesting approach, but at the same time makes it all feel like a waste of time and unsatisfying.
In addition to the film this release offers bonus content including featurettes taking audiences behind bringing this film to life. Grab your copy of The Woman in the Yard available now on digital and then on Blu-ray and DVD on May 27th from Universal Home Entertainment.