Our review for The Woman in the Window, the newest film acquired by Netflix starring Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Wyatt Russell, Bryan Tyree Henry, Julianne Moore, and directed by Joe Wright.
After years of development and delays, The Woman in the Window finally hits screens. Previously owned by 20th Century Fox, it was delayed after Disney acquired the studio. Disney also ordered reshoots, due to some bad test screenings. After another delay due to the pandemic, Netflix stepped in and bought the film.
The Woman in the Window Official Trailer
Test audiences found the plot to be to confusing and I agree. The problem is that a big part of the screenplay feels unfinished or like a first draft. There are many characters, that all do different things and it just doesn’t fit together. It feels messy. While it does still somehow comes together in the end, it feels forced. As if someone wanted to solve a puzzle with all their might and put the pieces together by force, even though they don’t fit. The twist and turns are also fairly predictable and therefore feel a bit unsatisfying for a screenplay, that relies on those twists.
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But there is also a lot to enjoy about this film. It features a top-tier ensemble cast, including Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Bryan Tyree Henry, Julianne Moore and Wyatt Russell, just to name a few. While most of them are heavily underused, Amy Adams still tries her best to carry the movie and she does deliver a good performance. However, it’s not surprising that after the total misfire that was last years Hillbilly Elegy and now this, people online are saying that she needs to get a new agent. As she is a fantastic actress, but has recently been attached to bad projects.
There is also some great production design and cinematography to be found, which is not surprising as five-time Academy Award nominee Bruno Delbonnel is behind the camera. The film also has it’s own style, both with how scenes are staged as well as in the editing room. However, as good as this sounds on paper it can only partly save The Woman in the Window from being a total mess.
Despite the negative critical buzz online I enjoyed a good chunk of it, which ultimately made it worth watching. There just was a lot more potential with this much talent, in front and behind the camera.
The Woman in the Window isn’t a total miss, due to it’s great ensemble and some stylistic choices, but it falls victim to a bad script and a story that just doesn’t work.
2,5 out of 5
The Woman in the Window Official Synopsis
Anna Fox (Amy Adams) feels safest when she’s watching the world from behind her window. Until the Russell family moves in across the street, and she witnesses something unimaginable. The question is…what really happened? (Netflix)
The Woman in the Window is globally available on Netflix. It is based on the Novel with the same name by A.J. Finn and is directed by Joe Wright. The cast includes Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Julianne Moore, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Brian Tyree Henry. What do you all think? Are you planning to watch The Woman in the Window? Have you seen it already, if so how did you like it? Let’s discuss everything in the comments down below and on our Twitter.
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