The Stream: It’s not the scary movie you think it is.

The Big Screen: Danielle Deadwyler giving it her all.

The Final Bill: It may not be scary, but that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writers: Sam Stefanak
Stars: Danielle Deadwyler, Okwui Okpokwasili, Peyton Jackson, Estella Kahiha, Russell Hornsby
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Rating: PG-13 for terror, some violent content/bloody images, suicide-related content, and brief strong language.
Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes
Production Companies: Blumhouse Productions, Homegrown Pictures, Ombra Films, Universal Pictures
Platform: In theaters March 28, 2025
Notable Trailers: Sinners, The Accountant 2, Shadow Force, Drop, Megan 2.0

Today’s the day, Streamers! It’s still a pretty random time for new releases in the theaters. The movie studios are revving up for the summer blockbuster season, so we have to take what we can get. In recent releases, I saw the horror movie about a mysterious visitor at a family’s secluded ranch house, The Woman in the Yard. In this movie, Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) is a recently widowed mother of two children, who is struggling to maintain the family while dealing with the grief of her husband’s death. When a woman covered in black appears in the family’s yard, Ramona and her children spend the day wondering why the woman is there and fighting to get her to leave. Shadow magic and creepy hijinks ensue.

If you are going into The Woman in the Yard expecting a scary movie, you will be sorely disappointed. It’s creepy and unnerving, but in no way is it actually scary. This movie is more of a psychological drama or thriller than a horror or scary movie. I can definitely see horror movie fans walking away unsatisfied. Despite that, there are creepy moments that will grab your attention. The movie is well-crafted enough to keep the audience guessing and make you want to figure out what’s going on. Also, there is a distinct emotional element throughout the movie that makes some of the twists and reveals more impactful. Moreover, there is tension that’s building up the suspense and at least one creepy line that will ring in your ears.

Danielle Deadwyler is proving that she can make every role work for her. Deadwyler makes Ramona very sympathetic but disconcerting. She has a strong screen presence and is a great protagonist. Her children in this a more annoying than anything else as most children in these movies typically are. Okwui Okpokwasili is awesome as well as the Woman that’s haunting this family. While I don’t think the movie is scary, the Woman is very creepy and that is a testament to Okpokwasili’s performance.

Ultimately, The Woman in the Yard is a good, emotional and psychological thriller, but it is not the scary movie it is promoted to be. There are good elements of suspense and creepiness, but it is a stretch to call this a horror movie. Deadwyler and Okpokwasili give great performances that will pull the audience in and keep you guessing even after the credits. For horror fans, you’ll probably be disappointed, so just a handful of popcorn. For all others, it’s worth a trip to the theater for a matinee.