The first reason I wanted to watch The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death is that it’s the sequel to 2012 Daniel Radcliffe starrer supernatural horror film. And the second but the most intriguing reason for me to be driven by is some amazing horror films such as The Babadook, Annabelle, Jessabelle and a few more which I saw last year.
Certainly, what I have learned from any successful horror movie is not the horror movie clichés, involving ghostly elements rather the idea of instilling horror from the very atmosphere, situation or even a human character.
Anyway, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death is more into ghosts or haunted house kind of horror films as the tagline “She never forgives. She never forgets. She never left.” is enough to suggest to you the kind of content you’re going to watch.
Even if you have not watched the first film, I guess it won’t be difficult for you to understand the storyline of this film which is not an ideal extension of the first film, other than the reference of the same haunted Eel Marsh House. So, it takes place 40 years after the original misfortunes involving ghost inhabitants of the house.
The Woman in Black 2 – Movie Trailer
The film opens in 1941 during WWII when British school children are being evacuated from railway stations to evade the bombings by Nazi Germany. School’s headmistress, Jean Hogg (Helen McCrory) and caretaker Eve Parkins (Phoebe Fox) take a group of children to the British countryside and land at the infamous but now abandoned Eel Marsh House, located in the village of Crythin Gifford. Without knowing the history of the house, they find the house and its peaceful surroundings much safer.
Soon after their arrival, Eve starts sensing unusual noises inside the house that is almost in a dilapidated condition. Her doubt over the house and a possible paranormal encounter further deepened with the behavior of one of the children Edward (Oaklee Pendergast), an orphan who has turned mute following the death of his parents.
Eve also saw the presence of a woman covered with black clothes, roaming near this creepy and creaky old house. Other kids in the house also start behaving strangely and then the Woman in Black finally makes her presence and desire clear for all.
Based on Susan Hill’s 1983 horror novella The Woman in Black, the first part was directed by James Watkins and written by Jane Goldman. The second film is now presented by a different group led by director Tom Harper and screenplay by Jon Croker. While in the first one has more sound storytelling with the origin and motives of the Woman in Black, there is actually little left for this part to go further, unless you have something new and something really sinister things to tell.
Nevertheless, the cinematography and a great composition somehow saved the film from a few familiar clichés of horror films, including those few jump-scare moments.
Film: The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death
Story by Susan Hill
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox, Helen McCrory, Oaklee Pendergast, Adrian Rawlins, Leanne Best, Ned Dennehy.
Genre: Supernatural/Horror
Directed by Tom Harper
Cinematography George Steel
Released Date/Year: January 1, 2015
