THE WOMAN IN THE YARD Delivers Barren Entertainment (Review)

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The mystery woman in the backyard captivated horror enthusiasts with its spine-tingling previews and the enigmatic figure haunting a family’s property. But who is this ghostly apparition? What does she seek from this bereaved household? And why is today of particular significance? These were questions that left many viewers eager for explanations. The movie, however, delves into themes such as identity, isolation, and powerlessness, but it often does so in a heavy-handed fashion that can feel contrived at times.

Under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra and script by Sam Stefanak, this chilling tale revolves around Ramona, portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler. After tragically losing her husband David (Russell Hornsby) and enduring an injury from the same accident, Ramona grapples with grief and her recovery process. Moreover, she finds herself juggling the responsibilities of raising her two children – her teenage son Taylor (Peyton Jackson), and her charming little girl Annie (Estella Kahiha). Unexpectedly, a woman cloaked in black (Okwui Okpokwasili) with a veil covering her face makes an appearance in Ramona’s backyard. It goes without saying that their day is about to take a drastic turn for the worse.

In my perspective, the film titled “The Woman in the Yard” offers intense scenes that are more gripping than frightening. This movie stands out for its profound exploration of grief and isolation from a Black mother’s viewpoint. The way it tackles the theme of personal disintegration is truly unique, but unfortunately, it falls short due to a less-than-stellar script and some underwhelming performances compared to others.

Editor’s Note: There will be some minor spoilers to discuss issues with the film.

The Woman in the Yard Authentically Shows How the Self Vanishes in Traditional Roles

This movie uniquely explores the complex emotions of a Black mother, delving into her feelings of resentment and sorrow that are seldom portrayed in films. Society often views not wanting children or experiencing anything other than gratitude upon having them as taboo. However, motherhood can blur one’s individual identity, much like romantic relationships where individuals may lose themselves in their partners. This film captures Ramona’s authentic resentment, born from living for others while feeling emotionally drained, which stands out significantly.

Some Performances Were Great While Others Were… Not So Great

In her roles, Danielle Deadwyler shines exceptionally, standing out at the pinnacle of her craft. Be it a compelling performance that intertwines the supernatural, love across generations, and deep-seated trauma, like in The Piano Lesson, or a promising attempt that falls short in delivery, such as The Woman in the Yard, she pours her entire soul into each character. As Ramona, Deadwyler skillfully portrays a complex woman who grapples with grief, disorientation, frustration, and love, captivating audiences on screen. Even when scenes lag or feel overcrowded, it’s difficult not to empathize with her performance. Russell Hornsby delivers an equally compelling portrayal in his limited appearances as Ramona’s husband, showcasing their strong connection as a couple within a few brief moments.

Peyton Jackson primarily focuses on her teenage son, who experiences both empathy and frustration. He’s essentially stepping into the parental role for his younger sister. On the other hand, Estella Kahiha shares similarities with Annie, but she lacks distinctiveness. It’s challenging to discern her varying emotions due to their uniform expression on her face. Lastly, Okwui Okpokwasili portrays an impressive regality in her role as the film’s villain. This aura is more intimidating than terrifying, and one might speculate that a different script could have yielded a different impression.

Similar to “The Babadook,” the main conflict in “The Woman in the Yard” arises as an external manifestation reflecting the internal struggles faced by Ramona. This struggle is unavoidable because it’s a part of who Ramona is. The appearance of the woman intensifies Ramona’s fixation, causing her to increasingly view herself as a burden to her children. Although this aspect works well, the change in direction during the latter half of “The Woman in the Yard” does not seem justified based on the journey taken to reach the conclusion.

The Woman in the Yard‘s Stilted Screenplay Does Not Flesh Out Characters Nor Conflict

The screenplay seems more like a essay lacking sufficient connecting words or ideas, making it hard to follow the progression from one event to another. While this technique can effectively generate confusion in horror genres, it should always serve a purpose. Unfortunately, here, there appears to be none. For instance, there’s a scene where Ramona seems to be stabbing someone, but it turns out to be a pillow. One of her children witnesses this peculiar act. Instead of having a conversation questioning the action or showing indifference, the movie skips straight to the next scene without explanation.

Instead of suggesting this scenario is typical for these characters, it appears the author lacked the understanding or skill to handle such topics effectively, choosing instead to leave it unexplored. The narrative feels fragmented because the author didn’t know how to tie the loose ends together. Dealing with complex subjects like mental health often demands a subtle touch and personal insight that seems absent. It’s evident that the screenplay’s writer is not a Black woman, as this lack of representation shows.

1. Addressing a struggle with identity is tough enough, but the movie seemed to handle it well initially. However, it veers off into more ominous and perilous feelings. Unfortunately, these darker emotions weren’t adequately set up. The movie could have been more effective if it had omitted the suicidal thoughts altogether and focused solely on a woman weary of her role as a mother. If the story concluded with the enigmatic character abducting a particular person, it wouldn’t be flawless, but it would be improved. Instead, it takes a bizarre turn to depict Ramona’s internal struggle, which contradicts the primary themes established in The Woman in the Yard. The unexpected ending thus feels unjustified and disrespectful to viewers.

2. Dealing with identity loss is already tough, but the movie showed potential in this aspect at first. But then it delves into more sinister and hazardous emotions. Regrettably, these deep-seated feelings weren’t well-prepared for. The film could have been stronger had it eliminated the suicidal thoughts entirely and concentrated on a mother growing tired of being a mother. If the movie finished with the mysterious figure kidnapping someone, it wouldn’t be perfect, but it would be better. Instead, it deteriorates through peculiar scenes to depict Ramona’s battle within herself. This is contrary to the core issues and fears presented in The Woman in the Yard. The abrupt ending thus feels unwarranted and disrespectful to audiences.

3. Tackling identity loss is already difficult, but the movie seemed on track initially regarding this issue. However, it delves into darker, more dangerous emotions. Regrettably, these intense feelings weren’t properly established. The film could have been improved had it omitted suicidal thoughts and focused solely on a mother weary of her role as a mother. If the movie ended with the enigmatic character abducting a specific individual, it wouldn’t be perfect, but it would be stronger. Instead, it takes an unusual turn to portray Ramona’s internal conflict, which contradicts the central themes presented in The Woman in the Yard. The surprising ending thus feels unearned and disrespectful to viewers.

In the backyard, a woman had an intriguing concept hidden within a script that failed to fully develop. As the story approached its climax, the hurried transition from scenes in the yard to the bedroom to the attic fight fell flat, lacking tension. It was hard to feel concerned due to the excessive and haphazardly packed plot points. Furthermore, much of it was illogical because the narrative prioritized shocking audiences over establishing a solid basis for surprise. Ultimately, this film misused a talented actress and intriguing idea on subpar, television-style entertainment.

The Woman in the Yard is now in theaters.

The Woman in the Yard ⭐ (2.5 of 5)

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2025-03-28 18:03