MOVIE REVIEW: We see if we should keep our distance from horror 'The Woman in the Yard'
Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra has a varied back catalogue that includes horror (the House of Wax remake, Orphan ). He turns to the dark side once again for Blumhouse's latest which follows Romana (Danielle Deadwyler) and her kids Taylor (Peyton Jackson) and Annie (Estella Kahiha) as they encounter a mysterious Woman (Okwui Okpokwasili) who repeatedly appears sitting in their front yard. It's a small cast in a self-contained farmhouse location so a lot rides on the quality of the acting and storytelling. The former is strong; Deadwyler unleashes a torrent of emotions - and says so much via her expressive eyes - and Jackson and Kahiha comfortably pass for siblings rocked by a family tragedy and frightened by the titular antagonist's arrival. Often bathed in darkness, and for the most part covered in a black cloak, Collet-Serra shoots Okpokwasili from every angle and distance while the actress unsettles using a distorted voice and unclear intentions. When she eventually gets out of her chair, her wobbly movements and simple decaying make-up, accompanied by a throbbing musical score, add to Okpokwasili's imposing presence. Collet-Serra delivers tilted camera work and makes the most of sunlight and shadow to support the off-kilter environment. However, sadly, that's where the positives end. The focus on grief and loss is admirable but ensures this is a tough watch. The constant sniping between Romana and Taylor wears you down and the lines between reality and fantasy blur so much it's not abundantly clear what exactly is going on during the final third. As I've said before, the biggest crime a horror flick can commit is not being scary and while The Woman in the Yard tries its best to be, it fails. A couple of jump scares and the Woman's appearance aside, this is pure family drama that is both bleak and instantly forgettable. It probably would have worked better as a short film - and at least that way poor Okpokwasili wouldn't have had to spend so long sitting in that chair. ● Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on any movie or TV show recommendations you have to your fellow readers. ● The Woman in the Yard is showing in cinemas now. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
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