The Woman In the Yard – Film Review
by Fran Winston

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring: Danielle Deadwyler, Okwui Okpokwasili, Russell Hornsby, Peyton Jackson, Estella Kahiha

In cinemas March 28

This movie ticks many horror boxes from the off. A seriously injured woman named Ramona (Deadwyler) is isolated in a rural farmhouse with her two children as she recovers from the injuries she received in the car crash that killed her husband. With a power cut, a broken-down car and no way of contacting the outside world, you already know things won’t fare well for them

Cue the woman of the title mysteriously appearing in their yard, sitting in a chair shrouded in black. Confronted by Ramona, she warns her, “Today’s the day”.

Initially, her sinister presence gradually moving closer to the property is enough to intimidate them. However, as the day progresses, her reach gets ever wider until she is in their home to terrorise the family and force Ramona to confront some truths about her current situation.

Collet-Serra is a fan of practical effects, and he puts that to good use here to create plenty of moments that give the viewer a jump. Light, shadow and clever editing are used to great effect. Deadwyler is superb as the depressed and grieving Ramona, who is unable to cope with this additional thing sent to try her. Jackson and Kahiha are also excellent as her children, and they work brilliantly as a family.

Although the remote farmhouse trope has been done to death in horror movies, this manages to remain mostly engaging thanks to the talents involved. Sadly, the movie loses its way in the third act. The big reveal is more confusing than enlightening, and while it is obvious what he was trying to do, the execution is far too clunky. Also, Jordan Peele’s influence is glaringly obvious at this point, and so in-your-face it distracts from the story.

Tense and engaging, this is sadly let down by a weak ending, but at a mere 87 minutes, it is still worth a look.