Based on the 1983 novel by Susan Hill, “The Woman in Black” stars Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps, a lawyer sent to a small town to help sell a home recently vacated after a woman’s death. Shortly after arriving, Arthur senses that the villagers don’t want him near the Eel Marsh mMansion and are hiding something more. The film is directed by James Watkins, better known for writing and directing “Eden Lake” in 2008 and Jane Goldman, co-writer of “Kiss-Ass” and “X-Men: First Class,” wrote the screenplay.
The reason for Kipps being in this small town where is simply to keep hold of his job. He is desperate from the beginning to continue to support his young son and their nanny, which we later learn is the result of his wife dying during child birth. As an already tainted young man, Kipps comes into this tiny village to find children staring at him from tall windows and the only hotel in town full for the next few days, leaving him with the only option given by the woman who runs the hotel, to sleep in the attic.
The next morning, Kipps pays someone to take him up to the Eel Marsh Mansion, the home he is supposed to sort out and help sell. Arriving at the eerie, unkempt two- story house, Kipps takes a tour through the Victorian style home. Looking out a second story window, Kipps spots a woman in the home’s cemetery. After being spooked several times by footsteps and creaks coming from an empty house, Kipps confides in the locals about his sighting of what he later learns is the “Woman in Black.” This woman supposedly shows up to persuade the children of the small village to commit suicide, as a result to the loss of her son at the age of 8. Kipps, determined to sell the house, stays in the Eel Marsh Mansion long enough to uncover the secrets of the home and the Woman in Black’s past, all while being taunted by her strong presence.
“Woman in Black” is filled with loud, jumpy scenes, almost all of which happen during the day time, something that most horror films reserve for the dead of night, making no one safe in this film. Radcliffe portrays being petrified flawlessly.
Partially shot in Peterborough, England, the eerie, dark, forest setting added to the already frightening plot.
This thriller is said to have brought back classic horror; no blood and guts in this film for those who are squeamish. This film gets right to the point in it’s 95 minute runtime, allowing for just enough horror in under two hours.
“The Woman in Black” by Susan Hills has had many other adaptations including stage play, a television series and another film in 2009 not related to the 2012 version. The play version of the novel still plays in England and has run since 1987.
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