Occasionally, a movie concept comes along that seems new, different, or intriguing, and once the movie is made, it becomes a big hit. Examples include Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, or last year's Palme d'Or and Academy Award winner, Anora. But sometimes a great concept loses something in translation, and the result is a mediocre film. March's The Woman in the Yard is an example of the latter, with an interesting story that simply fell flat by the time it reached theaters.
Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler; Till) had it all-a loving husband, two beautiful children, and a farmhouse she and her husband were restoring. Then, one fateful rainy night, her world changed forever when the car they were in crashed. Ramona's husband died, and she injured her knee, requiring surgery. Her teenage son, Taylor (Peyton Jackson; Best Foot Forward), took over taking care of his 6-year-old sister, Annie (Estella Kahiha; Fantasy Football).
One morning, when the power goes out, Taylor needs to get his mom out of bed. As she grabs her crutches, she prays for strength. Shortly after, a woman (Okwui Okpokwasili; Agatha All Along), dressed in all black with a long veil, sits in Ramona's front yard, not moving. When Ramona confronts her, she only says, "Today's the day." As the day unfolds, the woman grows more menacing until she is within reach of Ramona and her children. Taylor confronts the woman and learns the truth of his father's death, which only fuels the woman as Ramona spirals out of control.
Deadwyler delivers a terrific performance, becoming more unstable as the day goes on. Jackson is a standout for his age, and Kahiha displays natural talent. Okpokwasili's fluid movements make the woman grandiose and graceful, even as she leans in to attack Annie.
The 1080p resolution and 2.39:1 aspect ratio are evident in the video. Evening scenes feature rich hues and deep blacks, while daylight highlights minute details, especially the woman's black veil.
However, the DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio eclipses the excellent video. From Ramona's frantic voice to Annie's screams, ambient sounds come from every angle. A perfect example is when Taylor locks Ramona in a room; from behind the door (a.k.a. rear speakers), Ramona's calls for Annie are clear. The audio is definitely the technical highlight of the Blu-ray.
The combo pack includes the Blu-ray, digital code, and only two extras: Making The Woman in the Yard and Beneath the Veil. More extras would have been appreciated.
As a communications major and psychology minor in college, I could have written an in-depth paper about The Woman in the Yard. A lot is going on inside Ramona, and the physical manifestation of that is an interesting idea. It should have made for a juicy, thrilling film, but the film is neither scary, gory, nor thrilling, and ends up as a mediocre drama.
Grade: C-
