The Woman in the Yard Writer Talks “Frustration or Joy” of Film’s Ambiguous Ending

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It’s fascinating how movie endings that leave things open to interpretation, like those in John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” keep conversations among audiences buzzing even after the movies have ended. It’s likely we wouldn’t still be debating these films today if they hadn’t ended on such enigmatic notes, sparking endless theories from fans.

The same applies to “The Woman in the Yard,” the recent horror production jointly made by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse. A glance at Reddit reveals a significant divide among viewers regarding the movie’s ending, leaving plenty of scope for individual interpretations. You can catch it in theaters or stream it now.

In the movie, did Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) overcome her suicidal thoughts, as symbolized by the main character portrayed by Okwui Okpokwasili, or did she ultimately choose to end her life? The last scene where her name is painted backward can be interpreted in multiple ways. However, the scriptwriter of the film, Sam Stefanak, who is writing his first full-length feature, tends to view it through an optimistic perspective.

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3. Question: Does The Woman in the Yard Feature a Post-Credits Scene?

The Woman in the Yard writer Sam Stefanak sounds off on the movie’s mysterious ending

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During an interview with Filmaker magazine, the writer expressed, “My initial writings are not vague; they are quite explicit about combating depression and mental health issues.” He further explained that this version of his work may provoke feelings of frustration or happiness. He admitted to having his own perspective on the events – though he doesn’t claim it as factual or absolute – but when he views the final product, he finds hope. For him, the completed work symbolizes someone conquering their depression, a feeling he personally experienced during his battle with suicidal depression. Writing the first draft of the script was his way of expressing that struggle, and seeing it finished brings him joy because it reminds him of his own journey. He believes that Ramona, too, must have faced a similar struggle, drawing on her strength to create, as he did himself. This interpretation can be inferred by any creative individual who notices the ‘breadcrumbs’ left behind, indicating that she regained her strength and used it as inspiration.

As a gamer, I unveiled the behind-the-scenes fact: it was director Jaume Collet-Serra (renowned for his chilling works like House of Wax, Orphan, and The Shallows) who firmly advocated for leaving things ambiguous.

The author noted that Jaume intentionally left the ending vague and intriguing, stating, “Two individuals attending the same screening could walk away with entirely different interpretations, which is crucial for this narrative.” To his credit, Jaume provided subtle hints to cater to various perspectives. When I suggested he clarify it a bit more, he replied, “I believe we want to infuriate our audience. We want them to debate. People think they crave answers, but they actually yearn for more questions.

How can you watch The Woman in the Yard?

At present, “The Woman in the Yard” is being shown in cinemas (get your tickets here) and can also be rented or bought digitally.

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2025-04-25 21:01