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The Woman in Black (2011)

Director: James Watkins

Time Out rating

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36 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Hanging on to your movie career is a trial for any child actor, but for Daniel Radcliffe, who is associated not just with youthfulness but with one very specific, well-loved role, it’s going to be an uphill battle. He’s made a good first step with this smart, spooky adaptation of Susan Hill’s bestselling novel – famous also as a long-running West End show – but the sight of Harry Potter with mutton chops and a two-year-old son can still take a spot of getting used to.

Radcliffe plays Arthur Kipps, a widowed lawyer who travels to a remote northern village to oversee the sale of Eel Marsh House, a coastal mansion which the locals regard with superstitious suspicion. It’s not long before a series of child deaths lead Kipps to suspect the presence of an otherworldly force: the ghostly Woman in Black.In story terms, there’s little here we’ve not seen in countless haunted-house movies or special BBC dramas for the bank holiday audience. But it’s put together with panache – ‘Eden Lake’ director James Watkins proves himself a master of the short, sharp shock – and a superbly maintained air of clammy dread, thanks in large part to an appropriately murky visual palette.

Radcliffe is solid rather than spectacular, but that serves the film: Kipps is a tight-lipped sort, though it never prevents us from rooting for him. Able support is provided by Ciaran Hinds, whose turn as the local landlord is the most likeable here. Other characters fare less well – the townsfolk are a motley bunch of industry-standard ee-by-gummers – and we’re certainly not encouraged to care about the Woman’s hapless young victims. Like the house itself, ‘The Woman in Black’ is old-fashioned, ornate, imposing, occasionally creaky – and possessed of more than a few enjoyably nasty surprises.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2164: Feb 9-15, 2012

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User reviews of this film

the man on the track said...

Posted on Mar 27 2012 10:49 Despite some preposterous melodrama moments and agree with the reviewer about the 'e by gummers'! I enjoyed this film. Excellent twist at end and some scary moments along the way. The rocking chair monent was far scarier in the theatre production mind..

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Rachel said...

Posted on Mar 26 2012 12:33 A friend of mine went to see this a couple of times last week - both trips ruined by the teenage chavs giggling through it and pronouncing that they were "well scare and oh my god did you see that woman's dress it was well nang" Have been waiting for this for a while - will judge on Wednesday, certainly looks good. I'll take the hit if it's rubbish - the ultimate joy of an Unlimited Card and Orange Wednesdays.

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tabbie said...

Posted on Mar 22 2012 17:27 Thoes of you looking for what todays kids constitute as horror or if your la de da theatre student type that should realise that theatre productions are never going to be the same as the silver screen...! No,you wont like this film you will be looking for a reason not to like daniel radcliff. however if, on the other hand,you are looking for a brilliant,classic ghost story with a good twist,supported by a fine cast including a lead that has made a superb transition in his career(which many well known actors have been unable to do)then its for you. bloody good film,well done daniel ;) x

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Thomas Noctor said...

Posted on Mar 21 2012 23:22 Good old fashioned Ghost Story, worth a watch. Nothing amazing but better than The Ring or The Grudge. I wouldn't mind seeing the original.

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Lauren said...

Posted on Mar 18 2012 17:22 Well where do I begin, my partner hates horror films and even she thought it was tame. It was predictable, boring and unspectacular all the way through, deeply disappointing don't waste your money.

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Catherine said...

Posted on Mar 14 2012 20:21 Really enjoyed the film. Back to the traditional Hammer Horror films - without all the modern blood and guts - give me suspense with jumps anytime!!!!! Daniel Radcliffes performance was great - he's definately out-grown HP!

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Danuta in Glasgow said...

Posted on Mar 07 2012 14:21 I enjoyed it - jumped out of my skin at various places! It's a good scary Victorian ghost story in the Hammer tradition. The storyline is good and excellent twist at the end. seems Daniel Radcliffe has grown up well for this one!

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Little minx said...

Posted on Mar 05 2012 01:23 One of the creepiest and scary films that ive seen for a lon time Daniel Radcliffe was brilliant in it. Be prepared to scream out loud at the cinema,lots of parts will have you jumping out of your skin!! Be warned

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Helena said...

Posted on Mar 03 2012 15:19 A truely chilling and creepy film, i loved the mystery and the plot! The women got me panicing and screaming in the cinema rather embarassingly though :L I dont care though because it was worth seeing, would recomend it to people who love psychological horrors ;)

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Tracey said...

Posted on Mar 02 2012 15:30 Oh Dear, don't bother to make a special trip to see this one, definitely not worth it despite all the hype

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Jane Perry said...

Posted on Feb 29 2012 20:44 Oh dear!! it was dreadful. Weak, wooden acting and boring... The book is so much better and marks an imprint in your mind. The film has just totally ruined it now. Would have though much better for a british film.

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Emz said...

Posted on Feb 26 2012 19:20 Amazing film, really scary and gave the whole cinema a shock at the same time. I kept hoping dniel would whip out his wand and deal with haunting...didn;t happen. Would of course recommend seeing as long as you won't be totally freaked out.

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holly said...

Posted on Feb 25 2012 16:55 my mate went to see it everyone screemed lol she had nightmares im off to see it on wednesday with my sister :)

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Crispin S said...

Posted on Feb 25 2012 09:01 I've seen the theatre production 3 times, I own a copy of the 1989 movie. Both very good! I waited 6 months for the release of this movie, booked tickets at The Electric cin in Notting Hill...I really, really wanted this movie to be good like the original - sorry it is utterly dire. The remoteness of the house and Victorian village are both not believeable, unrealistic with a computerised/ digital feeling about it. I still ocasionally watch the original (holding my wife's feet for comfort as she sleeps - scares me every time). I love the book, the theatre production and 1989 movie. The 2012 is a turkey... very cold...in fact frozen to the core.

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janet.stone123@btinternet said...

Posted on Feb 25 2012 08:17 After reading the comments on T W I B its become clear that you cant please all of the people all of the time oh to be a critic! i cant make up my mind yet, so many differing views i think at the end of the day its down to direction whether a film succeeds or not i did nt like the change of directors in H P why not stick to the same one? get a decent director Daniel .

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