The Woman in Black (2012)
Supernatural themes
| Director: | James Watkins |
| Actors: | Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, Liz White, Roger Allam |
Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost… and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 95mins |
| Origin: | CANADA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
If you got it, haunt it
by Richard Haridy, 12/09/2012 3:18:00 PM
The Woman in Black is an earnest attempt at an old-fashioned scare film that ultimately bores with a clunky, repetitive structure. Daniel Radcliffe is frighteningly miscast - in his first post-Potter starring role - as Arthur Kipps, a young, struggling lawyer and father of four-year old Joseph (Misha Handley). Kipps is sent to an isolated village to obtain the sale papers to a large Gothic manor. Upon arriving in town, the residents make it clear they don't want him around. Secrets are being held and once Kipps reaches the ominous manor he begins to discover there may be some supernatural explanations behind the locals' mysterious behaviour. Director James Watkins deserves some credit for keeping his movie almost ostentatiously old-school, relying on creaks, squeaks, and jump-scares rathe...
The Woman in Black is an earnest attempt at an old-fashioned scare film that ultimately bores with a clunky, repetitive structure. Daniel Radcliffe is frighteningly miscast - in his first post-Potter starring role - as Arthur Kipps, a young, struggling lawyer and father of four-year old Joseph (Misha Handley). Kipps is sent to an isolated village to obtain the sale papers to a large Gothic manor. Upon arriving in town, the residents make it clear they don't want him around. Secrets are being held and once Kipps reaches the ominous manor he begins to discover there may be some supernatural explanations behind the locals' mysterious behaviour.
Director James Watkins deserves some credit for keeping his movie almost ostentatiously old-school, relying on creaks, squeaks, and jump-scares rather than the more modern methods of blood and gore. But, after a while, the picture becomes monotonous and bland. Scene after scene follows the same template: Radcliffe wanders the dark house, hears a strange sound, then we jump in fright at a ghost-like flash of the titular 'woman in black'.
The unironic reliance on horror tropes may strike some as comfortably quaint but you can almost feel Watkins checking off each element one by one. Rocking chair rocking by itself; creepy wind-up puppets; scary music box going off suddenly; doors opening and closing by themselves. The film could make for an amusing horror cliché drinking game, though I'm not sure anyone would be able to survive to the end.
The Woman in Black has a handful of effective spooks and a few clever sequences, but in the end it's just a little dull and underwhelming. The final 30 minutes in particular is just absurd and it left me more frustrated than unsettled. Fans of Gothic, old-fashioned horror will find something to enjoy here, as will Radcliffe fans who've been yearning to see him play something different. Everyone else should be wary.
2.5/5
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Member Reviews (26)
26 Member
Reviews
Robert
says
Daniel Radcliffe is certainly not a good actor. As soon as he opens his mouth to speak it becomes very apparent that he is Harry Potter and no-one else. However this movie is a very scary movie. I had goosebumps more than once while watching it. Good movie, well made but slightly spoiled by daniels wooden performance
Margaret
says
It was worth the watch it was an ok movie.
says
Very, very creepy. Daniel Radcliffe is showing every indication of making the difficult transition from child actor to credible adult actor with aplomb. He dispatches this role with ease and is very believable as the melancholic widower. The film could have done with a more satisfying ending though.
ENello
says
Some definitely startling moments - good ghost story, the ending is the kind of twist you expect but still overall a good story
Amie
says
Really enjoyed this movie, very suspenseful and at times a little creepy, highly recommend
Colleen
says
An interesting movie with a very interesting ending. Quite enjoyable.
Johno
says
Great movie with a brilliant performance from Daniel Radcliffe it totally held my attention throughout.
Kristina
says
OMG what a brilliant scary movie. I loved it. I don't know how many times I nearly jumped out of my seat and what a twist at the end. Please don't watch it if you have anything wrong with your health. The acting was superb and the story line brilliant.
Pfurball
says
Very clever twist on an old tale. Good acting, build up of suspense and well worth a watch.
david simon
says
A bit corny but atmospheric, well acted & well filmed.
Stuart
says
Like a good thriller, this movie relies upon suspense rather than horror and gore. Enjoyed this movie a lot. It has been a while since I have seen a good scarey movie like this one. If you enjoy scarey and suspenseful movies, then watch this one
Purplesue
says
Thought Danielle Radcliffe was very good in this role & feel we will be seeing a lot more of this talented actor. As far as the movie goes, it took almost an hour before anything really started to happen. A bit silly in parts & quite cliched as ghost stories go, but thought the ending was brilliant.
D.M.
says
While I was watching this, I couldn't help think just how much like Tobey Maguire, Daniel Radcliffe looked. A very convincing performance by this young actor and he was the most strongly featured in this movie, enhanced by the many close-ups. It was nicely filmed with the right amound of eerieness, however, the plot could have had more elaboration - I found it too simplistic.
Pat Isaacs .
says
A darkly disturbing movie, great performance from young Daniel Radcliffe. I found it absorbing. Don't watch it alone or late at night if you have a nervous disposition!
ChrisR
says
In a word - creepy. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Daniel Radcliffe has come a long way since his Hogwarts days - hope to see more of him
lynne
says
A classic ghost story to scare the pants of you
Hayesy
says
great job by the ex Mr Potter. I really enjoyed this movie but, it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be
JW
says
Spooky and atmospheric. Enjoyed it a lot.
Mary-Anne
says
One of the BEST "scary" movies I have seen! Dark but brilliant
Phillip
says
Good ghost story without the gore associated with a horror show.
Some of the camerawork was very well done .
chris e
says
pretty cool film, basic good ghost story done well
Larry
says
A fairly effective Ghost Story.
says
Good job from Radcliffe, I nearly forgot I was watching Harry potter in the role of a lawyer. Was quite scary at times and well filmed however the last 30 minutes were quite a let down, too fast for the genre. Still good enough for a fright night if you forget all the cliches that makes this movie stands.
Lyn
says
Lots of haunted house cliches, but effective enough as a creepy rather than scary horror movie.
joffa
says
i found this a tad 'overrated'. i think moviemakers were trying to succeed off the back of 'harry potter'....... maybe. it is an ok watch, but that's it........ nothing special at all i thought. in fact, there were many 'build ups' just to be 'let downs', nothingness basically. Overall could have been presented much better in my book. If you're expecting harry potter, this it is not
kimbo
says
A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals. Looking forward to this and was let down. I think the scariest moment in this film for me was when I realized that nothing was really gonna happen.