An exploration of grief and suicidal ideation through the lens of horror, The Woman in the Yard doesn’t cover much new ground and becomes tedious at times. The story is a bit thin and would have worked better as an episode of The Twilight Zone rather than a feature film.
Set in the fictional town of Dixon, Georgia, depressed widow Ramona is finding it hard to face each day. She lives in an old, isolated farmhouse with her two children the teenager Taylor (Peyton Jackson) and the active adolescent Annie (Estella Kahiha). Ramona uses crutches due to a knee injury suffered in the car accident that killed her husband David (Roger Hornsby).
One day, the kids wake up to find the power out and Ramona’s cell phone dead. On top of that, Taylor notices a strange woman (Okwui Okpokwasili) dressed in a black mourning outfit, complete with a veil covering her face. She is sitting quietly on a chair in Ramona’s yard. Despite repeated attempts, the stranger refuses to reveal her identity.
The Woman in the Yard follows Ramona as she communicates with the woman, while trying to protect her children. Initially, the woman keeps repeating “Today is the day.” Slowly, secrets are revealed, and it will become clear just how menacing the woman can be. I’ll leave it there, not wanting to give up too many spoilers.
While there are several creepy scenes, The Woman in the Yard is more a family film with a few horror beats rather than straight horror. A warning to viewers: The Woman in the Yard may be triggering to those who have experienced depression. A bit of a slog in the middle, the filmmakers deserve credit for creating a surprisingly realistic look at the agony of grief.
Presented in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, Universal Studios Blu-ray release is strong. Given the films’ dark palette, the overall look is surprisingly vivid. Skin tones are natural and consistent. The shadowy interiors offer a nice level of detail. Blacks are inky throughout. day scenes are well lit and bright. There are no scratches or other anomalies to mar the presentation.
The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track is effective throughout. given an excellent level of bass, jump scares are given nice thump. Surrounds create an immersive experience throughout. ambient sounds—the creaks of the old house—come alive. Front heavy, dialogue is clean, clear and concise throughout.
English subtitles are available.
Two brief extras are strictly EPK stuff:
- Making The Woman in the Yard (HD, 8:03)
- Beneath the Veil (HD, 5:02)