The Woman in the Yard

A slow-burning psychological horror that lingers in the mind long after it ends. I've been a fan of Jaume Collet-Serra's horror movies (Orphan and House of Wax) for a while, mostly for the their over-the-top scares. Here he crafts a quiet, creeping dread as Ramona (the fantastic Danielle Deadwyler), grieving her husband's death and immobilized by a broken leg, watches an ominous woman inch closer to her isolated farmhouse. Subtle visual storytelling replaces exposition, with deep-focus shots and eerie sound design immersing us in Ramona's unraveling psyche. The film methodically builds tension through whispered horror before plunging into full-blown terror in its final act, recontextualizing everything with a surreal climax. Not every theme fully locks into place, but its haunting atmosphere and layered symbolism make it a compelling, rewatchable experience I didn't expect from this studio.

6.5/10.

So I just watched The Woman in the Yard, and wow, it's got this creepy, slow burn vibe that really pulls you in, even if it doesn't totally nail the finish. It's about a mom trying to keep it together for her two kids in this beat up farmhouse after a rough loss. They're barely scraping by, with no power, an empty fridge, and a ton of tension. Then this mysterious woman in black shows up in their yard out of nowhere, just sitting there, giving off major eerie energy with these cryptic one liners that'll make your skin crawl.

The movie starts strong. The director knows how to crank up the unease, with those shots of the woman chilling in the yard while the family watches from inside being pure suspense gold. It looks gorgeous too; the sunny days somehow feel unsettling, which is a neat trick. The mom carries the whole thing, feeling raw and real as someone on the edge, wrestling with depression that's just palpable. The kids are solid too, especially the teenage son who's got that moody vibe down. And the woman in black is quietly terrifying, like she's hiding something big without even trying.

It's got this haunting, almost dreamlike feel with some freaky moments that'll stick with you, focusing more on "what's going on" than gore. The tension builds nicely for most of it, but toward the end, it kinda stumbles. It's going for something deep about grief and depression, which I respect, but it doesn't fully tie everything together as smoothly as it could. Still, it's a solid watch if you're into horror that's more about atmosphere than cheap scares. Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and dive in; it's not perfect, but it's got enough chills and standout performances to make it worth your time.

This movie will scare you. That's for sure. But there isn't much to talk about with this movie. Because the plot is so bad that a 10 year old would have wrote better. Pretty much all you will get out of this movie is being scared. But the ending, as well as pretty much everything else besides being scared, falls short. This movie would have been better if it was 1 hour. It was 30 minutes too long. If you're ready to be bored for 30 minutes and then feel scared and bored for an hour, then come see this movie. The only reason I didn't rate this a 3 is because it's actually scary. And that's all it is, scary.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra, ventures into the realm of psychological horror with The Women in the Yard, and the result is a thought-provoking experience. Anchored by a powerful performance from Danielle Deadwyler, the film burrows under the skin, exploring the insidious nature of grief, guilt, and the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Deadwyler portrays Ramona with a raw intensity. She is a woman fractured by loss and the weight of a terrible secret. Her physical disability, a constant reminder of the fatal car accident, mirrors her emotional paralysis. The arrival of the enigmatic Woman, played with an unsettling stillness by Okwui Okpokwasili, throws Ramona's already fragile world into chilling disarray. Okpokwasili's presence is a masterclass in understated horror; her veiled face and pronouncements of "Today's the day" create an atmosphere of relentless dread.

Collet-Serra expertly crafts a sense of claustrophobia within the confines of the isolated farmhouse. The cinematography, often bathed in stark daylight that somehow feels more menacing than darkness, amplifies the feeling of being exposed and vulnerable. The unsettling sound design further contributes to the creeping unease, making the ordinary seem sinister.

However, The Women in the Yard transcends mere jump scares, delving into profound and disturbing themes. The film cleverly uses the supernatural to externalize Ramona's internal torment. Saying anything further at this point, drifts us into spoiler territory.

The revelation of the Woman's true nature is a chilling twist that reframes the entire film. It forces the audience to reconsider every interaction and realize the battle Ramona is fighting. The ending, unsettling and leaves a lingering sense of unease.

While some may find the pacing deliberate and the horror more psychological than visceral, The Women in the Yard is a compelling and disturbing. It's a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on the shadows we carry within ourselves.

This movie was trash! I really wanted to walk out the theater. I'm done with Blumhouse ... This crap was the last straw!

Blumhouse Productions has become a powerhouse in modern horror, churning out low-budget films that consistently turn a profit. However, while their financial model is impressive, the studio's approach to horror often lacks depth, originality, and genuine terror. Rather than crafting stories with meaningful narratives or psychological complexity, Blumhouse frequently resorts to predictable jump scares, recycled tropes, and shallow characters designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience.