Better than Most PG-13 Horror Flicks

Rating: 7/10 (8 October 2019)

Overall, "The Woman in Black" is not a great film, but it is a competently made genre film that succeeds in holding my attention from start to finish. Most of this film's thrills come from the atmosphere. The world of Eel Marsh House is dilapidated and poorly lit, the home itself is only accessible during low tide, as the road is covered by water during high tide, effectively turning the Home into an island (I kept thinking of the house featured prominently in Roman Polanski's "Cul-De-Sac"). Curtains of gossamer hang from the ceiling, and candlelight does little to banish the encroaching shadows. Elements like these are staples of gothic horror (and Hammer films!) and this film is a treasure trove for gothic horror atmosphere if it's nothing else. I can almost guarantee in twenty years no one will really remember this movie, but it's entertaining enough that if you stumble upon it on Netflix or any other streaming service, it would be worth your time.