The Woman in the Yard is a psychologically creepy and gothic thriller that dwells expertly on the subject of sorrow, psychosis and the unfamiliar. Ramona is the main character of the story, and a single mother, who still struggles with the loss of her husband that was a tragic event that has left her emotionally vulnerable and physically unable. Her ordinary existence is malignantly disturbed when an unidentified black-clad woman keeps on changing her front lawn with chilling warnings and enigmatic messages. The movie is a brilliant way of creating tension that leaves the audience wondering whether this lady is a supernatural being, a vengeful spirit or something evil that is hiding in the back depths of the psyche of Ramona.
The movie is visual, making the contrast and ominous shadows work to emphasize the feeling of discomfort. The yard turns out a place of uncomfortable experiences, and every time the woman wearing black shows up, the tension is raised. The music is gentle yet efficient, subtly going up in volume with the ever-widening feeling of fear without destroying the tense, silent mood. All characters are well developed, with Ramona being particularly vulnerable in emotions, which makes her case very emotionally engaging. Her motherly feelings and troubled soul are complicating factors, and she is an interesting character whose behavior is torn between reality and her anxieties.
The most notable thing was how the movie explores the frailty of the human mind when confronted with death and uncertainty. I felt some anxiety and some empathy because I was sucked into the hopeless struggle of Ramona as she tried to protect her family against an unseen danger. The film is rather ambiguous and unsettling that leaves some questions to be left to be answered, that some mysteries might not be completely solved. It is an excellent psychological thriller that stays in the mind for a long time even after the credits have ended, leaving a feeling of vulnerability and the natural survival instinct to defend the loved ones by all means.
