Critics Have Seen The Woman In The Yard, And They Aren’t Holding Back Their Opinions Of The ‘Frustrating’ Horror Flick

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So far in 2025, the cinema schedule for horror fans has been quite rewarding, and Jaume Collet-Serra aims for his latest production to join this list of crowd favorites. Collet-Serra, who directed the 2024 film “Carry-On” (streamable with a Netflix subscription), is now presenting a unique brand of tension with his new project, titled “The Woman in the Yard.” This psychological horror was released in theaters on March 28th, so we’ll soon hear what critics have to say about it.

The movie features Danielle Deadwyler portraying Ramona, who suffered severe injuries in a fatal car accident that claimed her husband David’s (Russell Hornsby) life. Now left to raise their two children in a secluded farmhouse, an enigmatic figure cloaked entirely in black (Okwui Okpokwasili) mysteriously appears in her yard, delivering a foreboding message. According to Variety’s Owen Gleiberman, the film falls short of being engaging, as it is essentially a haunted-house story with no innovative twists. He contends:

“The movie offers little to enthrall, serving as a conventional haunted-house tale devoid of any surprising elements.

Jaume Collet-Serra’s direction and Sam Stefanak’s script don’t significantly ramp up fear, and they offer a simplified version of “The Shining.” Instead of exploring new ground, we find ourselves stuck in the house with a family of three dealing with their familiar problems. Danielle Deadwyler is an accomplished actress, but her character here seems confined by a single emotional state, offering little variation in performance. The Woman in the Yard fails to conjure up genuine horror or even surprise. This film is more about repetitive inner struggles than a rich tapestry of fear and tension.

According to Siddhant Adlakha from Mashable, the upcoming horror film is described as a puzzling blend of various horror themes. Initially, The Woman in the Yard seems straightforward, but it rapidly expands into multiple intertwining storylines that culminate in an ending that leaves a bad taste. Adlakha further explains his review.

The character in the backyard frequently leaves viewers feeling disoriented as it addresses questions, yet none of its resolutions are fulfilling. Each time it reveals details about the ghostly antagonist, such as how she navigates and manipulates shadows, another ability is quickly introduced, leading to a series of unpredictable chase sequences. This constant introduction of new powers makes it impossible for either the family or viewers to grasp what they’re dealing with, undermining any potential tension.

According to Tim Robey from The Telegraph, the film “The Woman in the Yard” receives 2 out of 5 stars. He praises Danielle Deadwyler’s acting skills, stating that she deserves more compelling material. However, he advises that this movie isn’t really worth venturing out to see.

The movie heavily relies on the tense, impactful performance of its female lead and equally on the stylish direction and special effects of director Jaume Collet-Serra. He excels in delivering standard jump scares, startling sound effects, and incorporating intriguing shadows into the narrative. However, these elements may be memorable but don’t leave a lasting impression or prevent the film from being easily forgotten after a day.

Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting reviews the movie and awards it 1.5 out of 5 skulls. According to her, despite Jaume Collet-Serra’s reputation for creating suspenseful films, ‘The Woman in the Yard’ falls short by failing to generate tension or scares. Navarro notes that the storyline seems to follow the worn-out grief horror template, as it lacks originality.

The trailer and title of the movie give a good idea of what to expect; a cryptic character appears and watches as a troubled family struggles with occasional, weak attempts at suspense. There’s no sense of foreboding or tension, instead focusing on psychological aspects and handling sensitive topics with tentative caution. Unfortunately, this rehashed version of The Babadook feels overly familiar and annoying. The Woman in the Yard doesn’t stray from its predictable path but lacks depth to engage viewers. It struggles to find its identity, resulting in a dull movie that surprisingly seems longer than its 85-minute duration.

Helen O’Hara from Empire gives “The Woman in the Yard” 3 out of 5 stars, appreciating the solid performances and its ability to create fear during the day, but stating that similar ideas have been executed better by other movies.

Director Collet-Serra skillfully uses jump scares sparingly yet powerfully, while Deadwyler delivers a complex character who is unyielding, sometimes even wrong. However, the narrative in the last act seems hurried, introducing broad themes without adequate explanation, leading to an overall confusing climax that somewhat dulls the impact of its intended message.

While it may not measure up to some top-tier horror films currently available, the acting performances have been highly commended. If you find the idea captivating or are a fan of the director’s previous projects, you can watch “The Woman in the Yard” in cinemas now.

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2025-03-29 02:37