The Woman in the Window - A Netflix Movie Review

Don’t go looking into other people’s houses. You’ll get into trouble.

Based on the novel of the same name by A.J. Finn, The Woman in the Window was released to Netflix in 2021. Anna Fox, a woman with agoraphobia notices something strange happening across the street. Suspecting that her neighbor killed his wife, Anna is caught in a tough battle of wit to prove herself.

The trailer to The Woman in the Window enticed me into watching this film. Having an overall appealing layout to obtain the mysterious and suspenseful tone of the film, the downside of The Woman in the Window is that it replicates too many components of a genre that has been utilized across many films - specifically Alfred Hitchcock.

Amy Adams has become an exceptional and versatile actress in her career. Adams is the best part of the film. Struggling to cope with her agoraphobia, Anna never ceases in her battle to defend herself. Adams grappled with emotions, her sanity, and an outstanding deliverance to an excellent monologue.

Julianne Moore is another highlight of the film. Moore and Adams worked tremendously together. I would like to see them in another film because their interactions felt so natural. This is a character type that Moore needs to be cast in more. She needs to play more characters who are witty and have a sense of humor instead of serious roles.

Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hatchinger, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, and Jeanine Seralles delivered wonderful performances. Better direction could have gone to build their characters. Most of the characters feel like they’re just there, instead of adding to the story.

I would have liked to have seen a better approach with Ethan (Hatchinger). The bond that grew between Anna and Ethan was confusing. The revelation of his character felt out of nowhere. I was not convinced by the reveal because I thought the story was heading in another direction entirely.

I have a feeling that Joe Wright spent too much focus on the Alfred Hitchcock-esque angle of the film. Although crafty, the camera angles distracted me. They were also reminiscent of films such as Rear Window, Vertigo, and there’s even a nod to Psycho at one point.

The story becomes very diffused by the middle half. Wright should have allocated more time to the story. For example, Anna’s agoraphobia is never explained. And the ending is resolved too quickly.

The ending is so corny that it feels cartoonish. It lacked a resolution. The resolution is cleared up so quickly that it felt like writers were out of ideas and decided to end it without explanation. I have never read the book on which the film is based, but it copied too much of the premise of Rear Window. I know Wright claims it is not a modernized remake, but it felt like one.

Instances, where Anna is spying across the street at her neighbors and even taking out a familiar camera, reminded me of the original film. Even the music is a knockoff from Rear Window!

Overall, putting the story aside, special effects consolidate the suspenseful atmosphere. I liked the camera angles creating eerie tension. Cinematography kept me invested. Viewers explore every inch of this dark, musty, and moldy apartment. It succeeds in making you feel like you are trapped inside this place. Sound effects achieve a way to mess with you.

I enjoyed The Woman in the Window up into the middle half, but then it became so chaotic, falling on ending fatigue. It is still worth a watch for the suspense.