STARRING: DANIELLE DEADWYLER, OKWUI OKPOKWASILI, PEYTON JACKSON, RUSSEL HORNSBY, ESTELLA KAHIHA
DIRECTED BY: JAUME COLLET-SERRA
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 28, 2025
A creepy lady sitting in my front yard? No, thank you. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by Sam Stefanak, in his feature film screenwriting debut, comes a frightening yet compelling film. In February 2024, it was announced that the film was put into development at Universal Pictures and Blumhouse. Collet-Serra had been hired to direct from Stefanak’s script, which went through many revisions and plot changes before the movie’s debut. Released on March 28, 2025, this 87-minute film was distributed by Universal Pictures and received mixed reviews from critics. The film’s production budget was $12 million but it overperformed and made $17 million worldwide making it a small financial success.
The Woman in the Yard is a psychological horror film about a grieving mother, Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler), and her two children who are terrorized by a mysterious, black-veiled woman who appears in their front yard. While caring for her children on a rural farm after a car accident that killed her husband, Ramona has to confront the figure who creeps closer to the house, while also battling her own grief.
I actually liked this movie more than I thought I would. In the trailer, it doesn’t give a full insight into the thought-provoking nuances of the film and it’s somewhat confusing on what the movie is actually about, but I think by the time you get to the end of the film you’ll realize that it’s deeper and more emotional than scary. I do think it’s interesting how they used the woman in the yard as a metaphor for grief and depression. I can see why people are disappointed about the movie because I think they were expecting more of a climax horror thriller and instead it was just sad, but as far as production and screenplay goes, it’s a great movie.
The Woman in the Yard received 41 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5/10 on IMDb and I can understand why. Although it wasn’t as thrilling as everyone thought it would be, it was still beautifully made and has a great message to check on your loved ones.
