The Woman in Black (2012)
A haunting gothic horror revival starring Daniel Radcliffe as a lawyer stalked by a vengeful spirit in a fog-drenched English village.
The Woman in Black - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Woman in Black
- Release Year: 2012
- Directed by: James Watkins
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 3, 2012 (Canada - 14A), February 3, 2012 (United States - PG-13), February 10, 2012 (United Kingdom - 12A), March 28, 2012 (Germany - 16), March 14, 2012 (France - 12), February 17, 2012 (India - UA), May 17, 2012 (Australia - M), February 24, 2012 (Brazil - 14), February 10, 2012 (Mexico - B), March 2, 2012 (Italy - VM14), February 17, 2012 (Spain - 16), February 29, 2012 (China - All)
- Alternative Titles: Zhenschina v chernom (RU), La donna in nero (IT), زن سیاه پوش (IR), I gynaika me ta mavra (GR), A Mulher de Negro (PT), La Dama de Negro (SV), La Dame en Noire (FR)
- Production Companies: Hammer Film Productions, Alliance Films, Talisman Films, UK Film Council
- Production Countries: Canada, United Kingdom
The Woman in Black - Plot
The story follows a young lawyer, Arthur Kipps, who is ordered to travel to a remote village and sort out a recently deceased client's papers. As he works alone in the client's isolated house, Kipps begins to uncover tragic secrets, his unease growing when he glimpses a mysterious woman dressed only in black. Receiving only silence from the locals, Kipps is forced to uncover the true identity of the Woman in Black on his own, leading to a desperate race against time when he discovers her true identity.
The Woman in Black - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what lurks in Eel Marsh House:
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The Woman in Black - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- James Watkins
Main Cast
- Daniel Radcliffe
- Ciarán Hinds
- Janet McTeer
- Liz White
- Tim McMullan
- Jessica Raine
- Shaun Dooley
- Mary Stockley
- Roger Allam
- Daniel Cerqueira
Writers
- Jane Goldman
Producers
- Richard Jackson
- Simon Oakes
- Brian Oliver
The Woman in Black - FAQs
What is The Woman in Black about?
The Woman in Black follows Arthur Kipps, a grieving young lawyer sent to a remote English village to settle a deceased client's estate. While working alone in the eerie Eel Marsh House, he encounters a vengeful spirit whose appearances trigger the deaths of local children, forcing him into a desperate race to uncover her dark history.
Does The Woman in Black have a happy ending?
Not quite. The ending is genuinely bleak and haunting. Without giving too much away, Arthur's attempts to appease the ghost don't go as planned, and the film closes on a deeply tragic note that left many viewers stunned. It's one of the most memorable — and devastating — finales in modern British horror.
Who is the Woman in Black, and why is she so dangerous?
She is Jennet Humfrye, a woman whose young son drowned in the marshes near Eel Marsh House. Consumed by grief and rage, her spirit takes revenge on the village by causing children to die whenever she is seen. Her curse is relentless — simply glimpsing her is enough to seal a child's fate.
Where can you stream The Woman in Black?
The Woman in Black is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. You can also watch it for free through Kanopy and Hoopla, which are accessible via many public library memberships — a great option if you want to save some money.
Is The Woman in Black based on a true story?
No, it's not based on real events. The film is adapted from Susan Hill's 1983 gothic horror novel of the same name. Hill drew on classic Victorian ghost story traditions rather than any specific historical incident. The story was also famously adapted into a long-running West End stage play before becoming a film.
Who are the main cast members in this film?
Daniel Radcliffe leads the cast as Arthur Kipps in his first major post-Harry Potter role. He's joined by Ciarán Hinds as the sympathetic Mr. Daily and Janet McTeer as the unsettling Mrs. Daily. Liz White plays the ghostly Jennet Humfrye, delivering a memorably chilling performance with almost no dialogue.
Is The Woman in Black worth watching for horror fans?
Absolutely. The film earned strong reviews for its atmospheric tension, stunning gothic visuals, and effective old-school scares. It revived the classic Hammer horror tradition and proved Daniel Radcliffe could carry a serious dramatic role. If you enjoy slow-burn supernatural horror with genuine dread rather than cheap jump scares, this one delivers.
Did The Woman in Black perform well at the box office?
It was a major commercial success. Made on a budget of around $32 million, the film grossed over $129 million worldwide — a remarkable return. It became one of the highest-grossing British horror films in decades and was successful enough to spawn a sequel, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, released in 2014.
More About The Woman in Black
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