"The Woman in the Yard" fails to thrill or spook

Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Entertainment continue their trend of moderately priced horror with their latest release, The Woman in the Yard. Jaume Collet-Serra directs the film from a script written by Sam Stefanak, who made his feature film screenwriting debut.

In the aftermath of her husband David's (Russell Hornsby) passing, Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) assumes the responsibility of raising their two children, Taylor (Peyton Jackson) and Annie (Estella Kahiha), on their family farm. As she grapples with her grief, their circumstances deteriorate further when a mysterious woman (Okwui Okpokwasili) begins to make repeated appearances in the family's front yard. This woman frequently delivers ominous warnings and unsettling messages, prompting Ramona and her children to scrutinize her identity, motivations, and the potential threats she may represent.

The director's history of making horror films such as House of Wax, Orphan, and The Shallows leads viewers to expect a suspenseful and mysterious thriller with psychological depth, but the result is a dull movie that lacks justification for its existence. Although the premise initially holds potential for mysterious allure, the movie disappoints with its predictable narrative structure, poor acting, and slow movement that eliminates tension.

The movie has difficulty setting its tone right from the beginning. Despite attempts to create an atmospheric feel, the film's cinematography lacks visual interest and creative vision. The scenes fail to generate tension because of inadequate direction and a script that confuses slow pacing with suspense. The predictable narrative follows worn-out clichés instead of delivering real surprises.

Danielle Deadwyler and Okwui Okpokwasili deliver outstanding performances as our lead and villain, while the remaining characters fail to enhance the film. The youth actors start captivating but eventually turn frustrating because the writing requires them to make unrealistic and forced choices. The few scenes with Russell Hornsby feel underutilized, although his character links to every event shown in the film.

The Woman in the Yard fails most severely because it cannot produce any real terror or suspense. Fans of horror and thriller genres will experience disappointment as they search for a shocking twist or a nerve-wracking moment that fails to materialize. The movie teases the possibility of exploring psychological themes but fails to pursue them, resulting in undeveloped ideas that lead nowhere.

When the end credits appeared, the movie left me with a sense of unfulfilled potential. The Woman in the Yard had the potential to become a gripping psychological thriller if it had featured a sharper script, better pacing, and a stronger sense of direction. Instead, the film presents itself as a mediocre work that fails to inspire and leaves viewers disappointed.

Final Grade: C-

The Woman in the Yard is in theaters now.