Review: The Woman In Black
The fourth feature from the reborn Hammer House of Horror stable is a bid to match the tension and shocks that made the Paranormal Activity films so successful.
This being a British horror film it can't just scare people, it has to be a costume drama and an adaptation of a book and stage play.
It's a good enough little chiller but does seem like a lot of effort to produce a few shocks.
In the case of the lead character, Arthur Kips (Daniel Radcliffe), it's a single costume drama. Radcliffe spends the film in the one outfit – collarless shirt, waistcoat, pocketwatch – and with the same expression.
No matter the situation his bemused agitation doesn't waver.
Radcliffe is a likeable performer, with a sincerity about him which is endearing. But he is rather boyish to be playing a widower with a young son.
As a lawyer sent to a remote village in the late 18th century to deal with the estate of a deceased client, who finds himself ostracised by locals and terrified by the ghostly apparitions he encounters in the empty house, he resembles a boy sent to do a man's job.
Most Read
- 1 REVEALED: New leisure venue replacing Riverside Chinese
- 2 Roads closed as armed police and dog units swoop on Norwich home
- 3 Final warning for officer following clash between two women and cops
- 4 Norwich family heart-broken to find charity plants stolen
- 5 Restaurant loses walk-in trade after months of roadworks
- 6 Three-vehicle crash closes part of A47 near Norwich
- 7 Teenager holding knife chases boy along city road
- 8 Huge chalet bungalow for sale near Norwich offers 'oasis' for £700k
- 9 Woman in serious condition in hospital after crash between two cars and van
- 10 Moped racket keeps 'exhausted' homeowners up at night
Because there's no development in his performance the suspense doesn't build up, it just hovers at the same level throughout. Which is not to say it doesn't make you jump but the effect is largely mechanical.
Indeed, the first big shock is mostly achieved by a large bang on the soundtrack. James Watkin previously directed the repellent Deliverance-with-Chavs shocker, Eden Lake.
It was a horrendous experience but it did stay with you.
The unease generated by Woman in Black has dissipated before the end of the closing credits.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK (12A)
Director: James Watkin
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer, Liz White, Shaun Dooley and Roger Allam
Length: 95 mins
***