The Woman In Black 2: Angel of Death (2014)
Certified: 12
Duration: 98 minutes
Directed by: Tom Harper
Starring: Phoebe Fox, Jeremy Irvine, Helen McCrory, Adrian Rawlins, Leanne Best, Ned Dennehy, Oaklee Pendergast, Genelle Williams
KRS Releasing Ltd
In 2012, The Woman in Black starring Daniel Radcliffe cashed in over €120 million. It was produced by Hammer Films that were attempting a revival of their glory days of the 1960s and 1970s.
The sequel does not feature Radcliffe; in fact, the production has taken the decision to seemingly start afresh and put an emphasis on the Gothic aspect of the story.
The film is set in World War II with the Battle of Britain going strong and German aerial attacks on London in full swing. It was at this time that many children living in London were taken out of the city and sent to houses in the countryside.
Phoebe Fox is Eve, a young teacher who is given eight children to take care of, with the help of the older and stern teacher Jean Hogg (Helen McCrory).
Eve forms a strong bond with Edward (Oaklee Pendergast), a young boy whose parents were killed during the war. Since he is mute, his communication is limited to drawing and writing. Two of the other boys, Tom and Joyce (Jude Wright and Amelia Pidgeon), at times bully him.
The film’s main attraction is the production quality which is top-notch
Meanwhile, Eve meets Harry (Jeremy Irvine), a young pilot who has been scarred by war. He is stationed near the manor where the children have been placed – a long-abandoned and derelict building.
Eve soon realises there is something inherently wrong and that a ghost might inhabit the place. She starts having visions of a traumatic episode in her teen years; the ghost senses this and starts to use it against her.
As directed by Tom Harper, the film walks along familiar paths, especially for horror genre fans. However, he directs with a strong hand, lets the melodrama play out and delivers suspense-tinged storytelling.
The film’s main attraction is the production quality which is top-notch. It really looks good as it puts the emphasis on all the haunting elements the genre demands of it. This way, the director manages to keep a solid sense of atmosphere and thrills in order to keep his audience at the edge of their seat and thereby giving the script by Jon Croker added credibility.
Leanne Best is fittingly scary as the ghost of the title. Harper is also backed up by decent and solid acting turnouts from McCrory who plays her role in stereotypical schoolmistress mode and Irvine who brings a sense of poignancy to his role. The children provide the right visuals to make this experience suitably haunting.