Horror fans looking for a gripping, intimate tale of survival will find themselves enthralled by The Woman in the Yard, a taut 88-minute thriller that masterfully weaves together grief, tension, and suspense. Director Jaume Collet-Serra returns to form with this effective horror movie, one that exploits its single setting and day-night structure to create a sense of claustrophobia.
When Ramona’s (Danielle Deadwyler) life is turned upside down by a car accident that claims her husband’s life, she’s left to face the challenges of caring for her teenage son Taylor (Peyton Jackson) and young daughter Annie (Estella Kahiha). As an imposing figure in a black mourning veil appears at their doorstep, Ramona’s world descends into chaos. The Woman in the Yard is less about revealing its mysterious visitor’s identity than it is about how this new presence affects the already fragile family dynamics.
Stefanak’s script does an excellent job of capturing the nuances of Ramona’s grief, her strained relationship with her children, and the increasingly dire situation as they struggle to cope with their loss. Deadwyler shines in this capacity, conveying a sense of desperation and vulnerability that’s both heart-wrenching and deeply unsettling.
While Collet-Serra’s approach may sometimes feel too methodical for its own good, The Woman in the Yard is more effective at crafting an atmosphere of unease than it is at delivering a shocking twist. Instead, it excels at building tension through sound design, clever camera work, and the carefully calibrated use of visual metaphors.
Ultimately, this film feels like a standout entry in a modern horror anthology series, where the lived-in feel of its setting serves as a character in its own right. With its unflinching portrayal of family grief, The Woman in the Yard is an effective exercise in psychological suspense that lingers long after the credits roll.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/the-woman-in-the-yard-review