‘The Woman in Black’ doesn’t disappoint, stands strong amongst classic horror films

Horror is a genre that has changed constantly since its origins as a form of German Expressionism.  The genre continuously evolved with the passage of time, ranging from the classic "universal monster" series to the post-atomic age style of horror films in the ‘50s and ‘60s. This generation's brand of horror pales in comparison to any previous style of horror, relying on either excessive gore or cheap jump scares to shock an audience. When I first caught a glimpse of the trailer for "The Woman in Black," I instantly knew this was something different.  The short teaser provided all I needed to be sold on the film, including a creepy and dark atmosphere with a solid choice for a lead in Daniel Radcliffe.

Fresh off of the overwhelming success of the Harry Potter franchise, Radcliffe has done an excellent job of establishing an impressive resume to avoid being typecast. He recently starred on Broadway in the musical "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying" and the controversial production of "Equis." It was smart on the part of Hammer Studios to cast a well-known actor to draw more attention and box office revenue for "The Woman in Black." I am thrilled to announce that this move paid off as Radcliffe and the cast effectively convey a style of horror I haven't seen in quite some time.

Based off the 1983 novel of the same name by Susan Hill, the film centers around the character of Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe) a young lawyer during the Edwardian Era. Living with his four-year-old son Joseph and his nanny, Kipps experiences a variety of visions from his deceased wife. These visions, along with heavy stress and financial woes, urge Kipps to agree to handle the Drablow family estate. Unbeknownst to him, this house contains a dark family secret involving the sister of the owner Jennet, who had her son Nathaniel taken away.

Throughout the film, Kipps is plagued by visits from the spirit of Jennet who is now known by the natives as the "Woman in Black."  The locals tell Kipps she continues to haunt the town by manipulating children into committing suicide, making others feel the pain she had endured. Kipps experiences this when two boys drag their sister into his house, only for the girl to succumb to lye poisoning.  Throughout the course of the film, Kipps remains determined to keep his job for the money, despite the implications of many more encounters with the specter.

I actually had high experiences for this film, but I was somewhat taken back when I saw the PG-13 rating at the end of the trailer. Not because I believe every horror film should be a heavy R, but because modern filmmakers do this in order to draw more attention, therefore sacrificing quality. Also, PG-13 horror films tend to lack any lasting scares aside from jump scares. Luckily, "The Woman in Black" is not one of these films. It doesn't rely on jump scares to create a sense of fear, but through the atmosphere the film creates. The town feels very isolated but mysterious, prompting a feeling that it is hiding something. The natives come across as friendly, but nervous and hesitant to welcome outsiders. This creates an ambiance that implies something is wrong.

The subject matter also plays a role of creating fear. As the viewer, you feel for Kipps, knowing he is in over his head and is potentially endangering the life of his four-year-old son. The suspense leading up to some of the deaths in this film are effective and actually frightening. All the child actors convey fear and Radcliffe provides a solid performance not only through his delivery of this polished but occasionally cliché script, but through facial expressions. It is a gift only a handful of horror actors can do, and it brings me back to the silent era where that's all actors could rely on. The spirit of the "Woman in Black" is certainly creepy and every time you see it you know something is about to happen.

While the script does succumb to a few horror clichés and somewhat of a shock ending, the performances and ambiance elevate it beyond a typical ghost story. Unlike modern haunted house films such as "The Grudge" and "Paranormal Activity," this film effectively makes the town a character besides the supernatural. It's good to know the horror genre is not truly dead and that effectively scary films can still be made in this modern era.