A young lawyer Arthur Kipps (a widower with a 4 yrs old son) is instructed by his law firm to handle the estate of Alice Drablow (named the Eel Marsh house). She had lived here with her son Nathaniel, her husband and her sister Jennet. This house is located on an island in the marshes. Nobody is willing to buy it and Arthur has to find a buyer for it as part of his job with the law firm.
The locals aren't very welcoming of Arthur and they believe that the house is haunted by the spirit of a woman in black. They also believe that whenever she is spotted, some child in the village is killed. Arthur befriends a local called Sam Daily who gives him refuge at his big house.
The truth behind these mysterious killings of small children is later discovered by Arthur as he goes to the house and experiences the spirit and various other spooky happenings at the house.
He reads some old letters at the house and gets to know the entire story behind the woman in black.
It is definitely spooky. The horror is understated, chilling and not over the top. There aren't extravagant VFX gimmicks to show the spirit. It is all very subtle. It does scare you for sure. Goose bumps moments are there. The locations, the sound effects add to the mood. It is pretty surreal.
Daniel Radcliffe is a total miscast as a young father. He still has the 'boy wizard' charm and his personality is pretty weak what with his puny and meek physique. The only plus in him is his handsome face.
The ending could have been different though it is justified.
VERDICT: Be prepared for some spooky moments with this understated horror movie which is watchable for sure.
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