The Woman in Black: Review

When I first saw the trailer for The Woman in Black, I instantly wanted to see it. It caught my attention solely because it was starring Daniel Radcliffe whom we all recognize from the Harry Potter franchise. Since this movie is post Harry Potter, I figured it would be an interesting twist to see how this young actor switched from child star to adult. Nevertheless Radcliffe successfully shredded himself from his child star image in this suspense horror film.

            The Woman in Black script is written by Jane Goldman, who leaves a lot of the movies material up to the audience’s imagination, which I was very skeptical of this approach at first. However, Radcliffe proved his acting skills despite the fact he’s never studied acting before his Harry Potter days. Some people are just born with it, and Daniel Radcliffe proved he has the natural talent of acting. His body language and actions help speak about the story of a man who is being tormented by a vengeful spirit.

            Daniel Radcliffe stars as the young attorney Arthur Kipps. Kipps is summoned to Crythin Gifford, a small market town on the east coast of the United Kingdom to go over paper work that requires legal action. He is given the case and is told that he must use this case to prove his worth to the agency.  The house he must go to is on Nine Lives Causeway and at high tide is completely cut off from the mainland with only the surrounding marshes and sea frets for company. On his first day there, he sees that the town folks are less than welcoming, some of them seem even a bit fearful of Kipss arrival. It is not long until he discovers why.

            His first trip to the house, he hears strange noises, however he doesn’t make much of it. When he looks out the window, he sees a woman in black standing in the yard. When he goes back to town for the night, while talking to a constable, a child comes in and dies in his arms. The area town folks learn of this news, and order Kipps to leave, but he refuses. On his second day, he learns of the myth of a woman in black is seen and a child dies.

            I very much liked this movie, despite the predictable scenes that make the viewer’s jump. The Woman in Black is an adaptation Susan Hill's 1983 novel, it is rated PG-13 for thematic material and violence, disturbing images, the running time: 95 minutes. In his first starring role after Harry Potter, Radcliffe has officially marketed himself as a very versatile actor. I give this four out of five stars.