The haunted house is a setting that will always appear in horror films. For decades, American movies have tried to find a way to reinvigorate the haunted house in every way from modernizing it to using the found footage approach to showcasing it. Still, for my money, nothing is scarier than an old English home. Something about them is just inherently creepier than even the scariest American home. Take for instance THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH.
Following the sleeper hit starring Daniel Radcliffe, THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH moves the time from Edwardian England to the midst of World War II. Gone is the recognizable face of Harry Potter, instead replaced with several innocent children who take up residence at the deserted Eel Marsh House, home to the titular ghost.
During the London bombings of World War II, school teachers Eve Parkins (Phoebe Fox) and Jean Hogg (Helen McCrory) lead a group of children in evacuation to Crythin Gifford, a remote village outside of the city. When the group takes up residence at the Eel Marsh House, 40 years after Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) investigated the first haunting, Eve soon realizes they are not alone. The longer they stay in the house, the more the awful past of the residence unravels itself and the evil spirit that lurks around them threatens the well-being of the children. With the help of a pilot (Jeremy Irvine), Eve does all that she can to protect the children and discover the truth behind the Woman in Black.
Now, I am by no means suggesting that THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH is going to be a good movie, but the trailer certainly showcases a hell of a lot of atmosphere and dread that reminded me of THE OTHERS and even THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE. But, in between, we are subjected to any number of jump scares, including the final one at the close of the trailer that I am still punching myself for falling for.
No, THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH looks serviceable, at best. But, in the middle of January, what else are you going to watch? This may be worth at least a date on a Friday night with nothing else to do. THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH hits theaters on January 2, 2015.
