Overview

Imagine waking up to find a mysterious woman in your yard, donned in an austere, lacy black mourning veil, ominously waiting. The unsettling imagery sets the stage for the new Blumhouse thriller, The Woman in the Yard, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, known for his work on Orphan and Carry-On.

Plot Summary

The story revolves around Ramona (played by the talented Danielle Deadwyler, of Carry-On and Station Eleven fame), whose life shatters after a tragic car accident takes her husband's life and leaves her severely injured. As she watches the eerie figure outside her rural farmhouse, Ramona feels the weight of despair heavy on her shoulders. With no means of communication, no vehicle, and no ability to physically protect her two children with the nearest neighbor miles away, her situation becomes increasingly dire. The menacing woman cryptically warns her, "Today's the day."

Thematic Exploration and Character Development

However, instead of embracing the tension that such a setup promises, Collet-Serra and writer Sam Stefanak (of F Is for Family) fail to capitalize on the film’s potential, steering straight for an ending that feels more like a forced conclusion than a satisfying payoff.

Spoiler Alert: The Following Sections May Spoil Key Plot Points and Discuss Suicide and Depression.

Suicidal Ideation and Thematic Execution

As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that the woman haunting Ramona may be a physical manifestation of her suicidal ideation. Rather than crafting moments that organically develop this connection, the film opts to plainly state its thematic explorations, which can ultimately feel underwhelming and didactic.

Character Relationships and Dynamics

As the characters develop, flashes of Ramona’s past reveal strained relationships, including her troubled marriage. One pivotal scene shows her and her husband arguing about her dissatisfaction with their life. This tension culminates in the fateful car crash—an event that not only kills her husband but of which she feels responsible due to her distracted state caused by seeing the woman.

Narrative and Climax

While the film strives to articulate the emotional weight of depression, it leans too heavily on the metaphor at the expense of character development. The connection between Ramona’s deteriorating mental state and her increasingly erratic behavior is evident, but lacks the nuanced portrayal that the subject demands. As she neglects responsibilities at home, her struggles become a metaphorical dance with the spectral woman, yet the execution feels heavy-handed, almost preachy.

The climax of the film centers around a climactic confrontation with the woman, but the buildup feels uneven. Early scenes where Ramona could easily convey a sense of desperation and claustrophobia are diluted by plot contrivances. Character motivations fluctuate without proper development, and the dynamics between Ramona and her son Taylor (Peyton Jackson) oscillate unconvincingly.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the film reaches its conclusion, we see Ramona motivated by a desire to protect her children, leading her to a dark decision under the woman’s influence. The end features a bizarre twist where Ramona seemingly shifts between worlds, and there's a suggestion that she may find peace through tragedy. The final shot, hinting at whether she remains tethered to this reality or slips away entirely, tries to pose questions about generational trauma and the lingering effects of mental health struggles within families. However, the film drops the ball on executing these themes coherently.

Despite its appeal in the horror genre, The Woman in the Yard struggles to resonate, mired in inconsistencies that thwart emotional engagement. Strong visuals thanks to Collet-Serra’s direction, combined with Deadwyler’s commendable performance, are overshadowed by a failure to establish a coherent narrative. The movie walks a fine line between horror and metaphor, ultimately losing its sense of threat in favor of delivering a vague message about mental health.

As it stands, The Woman in the Yard is currently screening in theaters, but whether audiences should embrace this psychologically-driven horror is questionable at best. The film’s hand is forced by its metaphor-heavy approach, leaving viewers with more questions than answers, and an ending that feels frustratingly incomplete. Will you take the plunge to witness the chilling depths of Ramona’s psyche, or will this haunting story be another that slips through the cracks of cinematic mediocrity?