The Woman in Black Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Harry Potter grows up, becomes a lawyer, and battles a vengeful ghost in a creepy house, ultimately failing to save anyone, including himself and his son, because ghosts don’t care about property law.

🍿 The Woman in Black: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival at Crythin Gifford

Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor grieving the loss of his wife, is tasked with settling the estate of the recently deceased Mrs. Drablow in the remote village of Crythin Gifford. Upon arrival, he’s met with hostility and unease from the locals, who seem desperate for him to leave. The village’s remote location and unwelcoming atmosphere immediately establish a sense of dread and isolation.

Eel Marsh House and the Woman in Black

Kipps ventures to Eel Marsh House, Mrs. Drablow’s isolated manor accessible only by a causeway that’s submerged during high tide. He quickly discovers the house is haunted by a malevolent presence: the Woman in Black. He experiences unsettling events and glimpses of a spectral figure, realizing the locals’ fears are justified. The increasing paranormal activity builds suspense and dread.

Unraveling the Mystery

With the help of Mr. Daily, a local landowner, Kipps investigates the history of the Woman in Black. He learns she is Jennet Humfrye, Mrs. Drablow’s sister, whose son Nathaniel died tragically in a marsh accident. Driven mad by grief, Jennet vowed revenge, and her vengeful spirit now haunts the village, causing the deaths of children. This investigation leads to the discovery of letters and documents within the house that reveal the tragic story of Jennet and her son.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe): A widowed solicitor, struggling with grief and career pressures, investigates a haunted estate and uncovers a vengeful ghost.
• The Woman in Black (Jennet Humfrye) (Liz White): The vengeful ghost of a scorned mother who seeks retribution by causing the deaths of local children.
• Sam Daily (Ciarán Hinds): A local man in Crythin Gifford who befriends Arthur and offers assistance during his investigation.
• Mrs. Daily (Janet McTeer): Sam Daily’s wife, who is deeply affected by the loss of her own child and displays erratic behavior.
• Joseph Kipps (Misha Handley): Arthur’s young son, whose arrival in Crythin Gifford puts him in mortal danger.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Arthur Kipps: “You don’t believe me, do you?” – Arthur asks Daily this after witnessing unsettling events at Eel Marsh House.
• Daily: “I believe even the most rational mind can play tricks in the dark.” – Daily responds to Arthur, acknowledging the power of the mind to deceive in frightening circumstances.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $54,333,290
• Worldwide Gross: $128,955,898

💥 The Woman in Black Reviews

Personal Review

I was genuinely creeped out! The atmosphere was thick with dread, and the jump scares actually made me jump (and I hate jump scares!). Radcliffe really sold the fear and desperation of a father trying to protect his child. While some might find the ending bleak, I thought it fit the tone of the movie. The old house and the surrounding marsh were characters in themselves, adding to the overall sense of unease.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gothic horror”
  • “Viewers interested in ghost stories”
  • “Those who enjoy atmospheric and suspenseful films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Supernatural horror”
  • “Child death”
  • “Jump scares”
  • “Disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “It may not provide enough of them for viewers attuned to modern, high-stakes horror, The Woman in Black is a genuinely spooky and well-crafted ghost story.
• Variety: “Director James Watkins does an excellent job creating a mood of palpable unease, skillfully employing classic horror techniques to deliver genuine scares.
• Empire Magazine: “A solid, spooky ghost story elevated by a committed performance from Daniel Radcliffe and a genuinely chilling atmosphere. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers the goods.

Audience Reactions

The chilling atmosphere and genuine scares kept me on the edge of my seat.: Many viewers praised the film’s effective use of classic horror elements and the unsettling atmosphere, which created a truly terrifying experience.

Daniel Radcliffe proved his acting chops, delivering a compelling performance as a grieving father.: Radcliffe’s performance was widely appreciated, with many noting his successful transition from Harry Potter to a more mature and complex role.

Overall Consensus: A chilling and atmospheric ghost story with effective scares and a strong performance from Daniel Radcliffe, though some find the ending too bleak.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The role of Joseph, Daniel Radcliffe’s son in the film, was played by his real-life godson, which Radcliffe suggested to help establish a believable father-son dynamic.”
• “The filmmakers chose the UK release to be cut, the distributor chose to reduce moments of strong violence / horror in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Woman in Black?

The Woman in Black (2012) is available to stream on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Woman in Black, you might like these similar films:

• The Others (2001): Similar atmosphere of gothic horror, a haunted house with a tragic past, and a protagonist uncovering dark secrets.
• The Orphanage (2007): Features a vengeful spirit of a child and explores themes of loss, motherhood, and the supernatural.
• The Changeling (1980): A grieving man moves into a haunted house and uncovers a dark secret connected to the spirit haunting the house.

🛒 The Woman in Black Related Products

• The Woman in Black [Blu-ray]: Experience the chilling tale in high definition with the Blu-ray edition, featuring bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage.
• The Woman in Black (Susan Hill) [Paperback]: Dive deeper into the source material with Susan Hill’s novel, offering a richer and more detailed narrative.
• Eel Marsh House Miniature Replica: A handcrafted replica of the iconic Eel Marsh House, capturing its eerie architectural details.
• The Woman in Black Movie Poster (Daniel Radcliffe): A high-quality poster featuring Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps, capturing the movie’s haunting atmosphere.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Woman in Black features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Die Frau in Schwarz – Titel” – performed by Marco Beltrami

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With The Woman In Black

Ever wonder what’s wrong with The Woman in Black (besides the jump scares)? CinemaSins counts the sins, and it’s a doozy!

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