The Woman in the Window mini review (Exclusive Series)

The Woman in the Window (Exclusive Series)

Initial release date: May 14, 2021

Studios: Netflix 20th Century Studios Fox 2000 Pictures

Tagline: Some Things Are Better Left Unseen

Plot: Anna Fox is an agoraphobic child psychologist who finds herself keeping tabs on the picture perfect family across the street through the windows of her NYC brownstone. Her life is turned upside down when she inadvertently witnesses a brutal crime. Based on the gripping, best-selling novel and adapted by Tracey Letts, shocking secrets are revealed and nothing and no one are what they seem in this suspenseful psychological thriller.

Cast

Amy Adams (Zack Snyder’s Justice League) - Anna Fox

Anthony Mackie (Falcon and the Winter Soldier; Synchronic) - Ed Fox

Fred Hechinger (News of the World) - Ethan

Donat Balaj - Jacob

Wyatt Russell (Falcon and the Winter Soldier; Overlord) - David

Gary Oldman (Netflix’s Mank) - Alistair Russell

Brian Tyree Henry (Godzilla vs. Kong) - Det. Little

Julianna Moore (After the Wedding) - Jane

Jeanine Serralles - Norelli

Mariah Bozeman - Olivia

Liza Colon Zayas (The Purge: Election Year) - Bina

Anna Cameron - Alex

Jennifer Jason Leigh (White Boy Rick) - Jane Russell

Tracey Letts (French Exit) - Dr. Landy

Writer: Tracey Letts (August: Osage County)

A.J. Finn (novel)

Director: Joe Wright (Pan; Anna Karenina; Hanna)

Rated R for violence and language (100 minutes)

‘The Woman in the Window’ is a suspense-mystery that actually had so much potential, but most of the film ended up feeling muddled.

The cast and their performances are decent at best. And, indeed, there are a few moments in the film that can be quite mysterious. When one of the mysteries are revealed - the reason why Anna is agoraphobic - it’s really heart-breaking and actually makes you feel for the character.

The major twist at the end - where you find out what’s really going on - comes completely out of nowhere. I mean, sure a twist should come out of nowhere and keep you surprised. But this twist just doesn’t quite make sense and even looking back at most of the movie for any potential clues that could lead up to the twist, it still leaves you befuddled.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about ‘The Woman and the Window’:

• It was reported in July 2019 by The Hollywood Reporter that the film left test audiences confused. So now the film’s debut had been pushed back as the studio worked on reshoots.

• Despite the similar plot, this isn’t a remake of ‘Rear Window.’

• An adaptation of A.J. Finn’s best-selling novel, which has sold more than 1 million copies in the US, the novel has additionally topped the best-seller charts in multiple countries and is currently published in 38 languages.

• Principal photography began on August 6, 2018 in NYC. Filming wrapped on October 30, 2018.

• In September 2016, Fox 2000 Pictures acquired screen rights to the novel of the same name by A.J. Finn.

• It was revealed that producer Scott Rudin had hired Tony Gilroy (Rogue One; The Bourne Legacy) to do rewrites and write the reshoots, following the film’s initial delay from its original October 4, 2019 release date.

• On August 3, 2020, it was announced that Netflix was in final talks to acquire the distribution rights to the film from 20th Century Studios.

• It will be the final film released under the Fox 2000 label; as part of Disney’s acquisition of Fox, the label will be discontinued after the film’s release.

• The novel stayed at No. 1 for two weeks on the NY Times best sellers list.