The Woman in Black 2 – Angel of Death
Director: Tom Harperr
Starring: Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox
98 mins; Class 15;
KRS Releasing Ltd
The Woman in Black 2 – Angel of Death takes place 40 years after the events of The Woman in Black, a chilling story that has enjoyed life as a novel by Susan Hill, a play (currently in its 26 th year in London’s West End) and a successful movie adaptation in 2012.
The latter’s strong box office performance has led to the production of this sequel. While it is not as powerful as its predecessor ,it boasts solid storytelling, strong performances and enough unnerving moments to make it worthwhile.
As London is being devastated by Luftwaffe bombs in the height of World War II, school headmistress Jean (Helen McCrory) and teacher Eve (Phoebe Fox) take a group of orphaned children to safety to the now-abandoned Eel Marsh house in the British countryside.
That safety is threatened, however, as not long after their arrival, the children start to come to harm. With the help of a pilot (Jeremy Irvine) recovering from his experience in the war, Eve learns more about the house and its tragic and violent history.
The story on which the film is based was written by Hill herself, with the screenplay by Jon Croker.
Story that does not betray its origins
Hill’s involvement has meant that the integrity of the Woman in Black as a character has remained unsullied; the tragedy of the unmarried Jennet Humfrye forced to give up her son to avoid a family scandal, only to see him drown aged three, leading to Humfrye’s suicide, permeates proceedings.
And it is here that the film is at its best – Humfrye’s broken, vengeful spirit haunts Eel Marsh house and its environs, creating some of the film’s most chilling moments.
Although it relies on some age-old elements, with its musty basements, locked-up rooms housing ancient dusty toys, an environment of misty marshes, and deep and dark lakes, there are some genuinely scary moments, many of which involving the terrible fate meted out to the children.
The death of a child is always a horrible thing; that it is at the hands of such a malevolent and vengeful entity makes it that much more horrific and director Tom Harper plays on that with confidence, keeping the audiences nerves and emotions constantly on edge.
That Part 2 boasts a female protagonist in Eve, who senses the Woman’s presence and begins to have some rather disturbing visions, adds poignancy to the unnerving atmosphere.
Fox imbues the character with equal amount strength, vulnerability and empathy as the story unfolds.
McCrory stern headmistress grounds things a little, while Irvine’s Harry brings a little romance to lighten things up for a few moments.
Special mention goes to Oaklee Pendergast as Edward, a young boy who Eve especially takes under her wing.
The character having been left mute by the death of his mother, the young actor is a marvel, expressing his grief and fear through his eyes and body language in a remarkable mature performance.
It does fall into some of the pitfalls normally associated with the genre, most notably the final moments, which induced a little eye-roll, yet at its finest moments, The Woman in Black 2: The Angel of Death produces a solidly told and effective ghost story that does not betray its origins.