I've started this new thing where I don't IMDb the film first and just go for it then rate it in my head then check the rating at the end. I was massively surprised when I was this had such a low rating. The twist with that mum actually being the mum was crazy to me and proper didn't expect it. When it hit the point where everything tied together it was so good and satisfying. It had a happy ending and the acting from Amy adams was incredible, well done to her. The rating is completely wrong for me. Also why does Anthony Mackie always do these weird little roles in films. He was hardly in this film, weird from him. This also proper reminded me of the film, girl on a train. A film I really liked so that explains why I liked it so much.
961 Reviews
Well I thought it was good.
lenpicott14 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I've not read the book unlike many other reviewers, and perhaps that's why I thought it was a good plot, and well acted by an excellent cast. I did not see either of the plot twists coming. Maybe I'm easy to please but I really enjoyed it.
A little Rear Window, a little Witness to Murder, a little Copycat, and a hat tip to Hitch
blanche-228 May 2021
Amy Adams stars in "The Woman in the Window" from 2021 (actually made in 2018), along with Gary Oldman, Fred Hechinger,Julianne Moore,Jennifer Jason Leigh, Wyatt Russell, and Brian Tyree Henry. The screenplay is by Tracy Letts.
First things first, I didn't read the book, so my review will have nothing to do with it.
Anna Fox is a child psychologist, who, after a tragedy, has become an agoraphobic, pill-popping alcoholic who lives in a dark New York City house with her cat, Punch. She spies on her neighbors and checks them out on the Internet.
She befriends a boy from across the street, Ethan (Hechinger) who brings her a gift from his mother. Later, a woman (Julianne Moore) visits Anna. She seems to be Ethan's mother, Jane Russell.
Anna is uneasy about Ethan, because after watching their apartment, she thinks his father is intimidating and worries about the boy. The, through her window, she sees Jane stabbed by someone.
However, the police don't believe her. Jane's husband (Russell) is livid with her and introduces her to his wife Jane (Leigh) - obviously not the woman Anna met. Despite her protests to the police, Anna is clearly written off as a nut.
I actually thought this a very good and effective film. I mentioned Copycat in my subject - I am referring to a very good film starring Sigourney Weaver from some years back. There were elements of it, as well as the obvious homage to Rear Window and the Stanwyck film Witness to Murder.
In short, The Woman in the Window is derivative, but still good, with quite a surprising ending. I thought the acting was terrific. Amy Adams, a very pretty woman, manages to look bloated with bags under her eyes in this, which is perfect for the role.
One thing I loved were the film references, to Dark Passage, Laura, and Spellbound, as well as the name "Jane Russell", and that spiral staircase that screamed Vertigo.
I highly recommend this film. I know people who read the book hated it, but if you didn't, I think you'll like it.
First things first, I didn't read the book, so my review will have nothing to do with it.
Anna Fox is a child psychologist, who, after a tragedy, has become an agoraphobic, pill-popping alcoholic who lives in a dark New York City house with her cat, Punch. She spies on her neighbors and checks them out on the Internet.
She befriends a boy from across the street, Ethan (Hechinger) who brings her a gift from his mother. Later, a woman (Julianne Moore) visits Anna. She seems to be Ethan's mother, Jane Russell.
Anna is uneasy about Ethan, because after watching their apartment, she thinks his father is intimidating and worries about the boy. The, through her window, she sees Jane stabbed by someone.
However, the police don't believe her. Jane's husband (Russell) is livid with her and introduces her to his wife Jane (Leigh) - obviously not the woman Anna met. Despite her protests to the police, Anna is clearly written off as a nut.
I actually thought this a very good and effective film. I mentioned Copycat in my subject - I am referring to a very good film starring Sigourney Weaver from some years back. There were elements of it, as well as the obvious homage to Rear Window and the Stanwyck film Witness to Murder.
In short, The Woman in the Window is derivative, but still good, with quite a surprising ending. I thought the acting was terrific. Amy Adams, a very pretty woman, manages to look bloated with bags under her eyes in this, which is perfect for the role.
One thing I loved were the film references, to Dark Passage, Laura, and Spellbound, as well as the name "Jane Russell", and that spiral staircase that screamed Vertigo.
I highly recommend this film. I know people who read the book hated it, but if you didn't, I think you'll like it.
I don t get the bad reviews
kindofperson14 May 2021
Sure this movie is no masterpiece. But in my oppinion it s a good friday night watch. It's pretty thrilling and entertaining, it had me glued to the screen. Amy is a delight as always. There are some decent plot twists and the end brings a peacefull closure to the movie.
Honestly not that bad!
6-6.5.
Honestly not that bad!
6-6.5.
Unconvincing plot and weird characters
tictic17 May 2021
Not Disappointed
larrydelacruzph14 May 2021
From the release delays to the bad word of mouth, I was expecting this to be a trainwreck of a movie. Instead, what I got was a perfectly enjoyable suspense thriller. Sure, it's has it's flaws, the first half seems rushed, and some actors were underutilized (Jennifer Jason Leigh in particular) but I did not see that final twist coming - a twist that actually made sense.
I have not read the book, but even if I had it's only fair to judge this as a separate piece of work - because it is. So even if the book WAS better, it's got nothing to do with this piece of entertainment to me for they are two completely different experiences. Kudos to this film for not sucking.
I have not read the book, but even if I had it's only fair to judge this as a separate piece of work - because it is. So even if the book WAS better, it's got nothing to do with this piece of entertainment to me for they are two completely different experiences. Kudos to this film for not sucking.
21st Century Rear Window fails.
jpcdee14 May 2021
This desperately wants to be like Rear Window. But despite the fantastic cast of Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Anthony Mackie, the script just seems clunky and slow. Hitchcockian, this isn't. If anything, it makes you want to see Rear Window instead.
Not as bad as the reviews
shefchenko27 August 2021
Missed key points from the book!!!
jasiegirl14 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I was SO looking forward to this movie, but was disappointed because many key points from the book were missing! I think that the things they left out would have clarified and explained a lot of the behaviors of Anna and Ethan. For example, they showed the car crash, but didn't talk about the fact that Anna was stranded for days in that storm, watching her family die (which was the cause of her agoraphobia and PTSD). We kind of saw Anna and Ethan's relationship, but it wasn't really believable. We weren't shown enough of their relationship to understand how Ethan manipulated Anna into trusting him and believing he was the victim. The movie also completely skimmed over the details of the guesswhoanna account, (how it was Ethan on Anna's computer but Anna, being under the influence of the meds and alcohol, thought that she had created and sent the emails to herself).... and the movie didn't even mention Anna's conversation with her online "friend" (who ended up actually being Ethan). Oh, and then there was Bina, Anna's friend..... I could go on and on.
If they had included more details from the book, sure, the movie might have been longer, but it would have made more sense. It definitely would have been a LOT more intense and mind-blowing, like the book was.
If they had included more details from the book, sure, the movie might have been longer, but it would have made more sense. It definitely would have been a LOT more intense and mind-blowing, like the book was.
Great movie and acting
ebookgamer14 May 2021
First... Ignore low reviews from people who read the book. This is a movie! I hate it when people expect a film, lasting under 2 hours, to be similar to the book. Probably 0.001 percent of viewers have or will read the book. It's a film to review. So here goes, it's entertaining. Original, under a genre of Hitchcock. Great acting and clever camera work. Enjoy it. Just don't expect it to be exactly like the book and you'll be entertained. Those reviewers remind me of annoying reviews about a product , giving it one star, and only write about a late delivery! It helps no one.
MIssing those 90s-style thrillers? Then step right up!
smithnumber26 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This has been heavily bashed but I have to say I liked it even if it is pretty predictable. It has all the hallmarks of a 90s thriller - underlit, expansive apartment, a mysterious blonde, unstable lead character, lots of coats and neighbors that always leave the blinds open. Heck, all they needed was a smoke/steam machine and every 90s production value box would've been ticked.
Amy does a good job in this but it is Julianne Moore who steals the film in a very small role. One of the big problems is that none of the remaining supporting cast come across as even remotely believable - particularly the 15 year old kid that looks and acts 25. As such, you're left with Amy to do all of the heavy lifting and she manages quite well, although I never got the the sense that she was actually agoraphobic which is pivotal to the story.
And if you thought the look of the film was even slightly 90s then wait for the finale! It's got the rain, the convenient rickety skydome, the spoken explanation of everything and even a bit of gratuitous violence thrown in.
Overall, it isn't as bad as people say. It's another nail in the coffin of Amy's career but at least she's going out in style.
Amy does a good job in this but it is Julianne Moore who steals the film in a very small role. One of the big problems is that none of the remaining supporting cast come across as even remotely believable - particularly the 15 year old kid that looks and acts 25. As such, you're left with Amy to do all of the heavy lifting and she manages quite well, although I never got the the sense that she was actually agoraphobic which is pivotal to the story.
And if you thought the look of the film was even slightly 90s then wait for the finale! It's got the rain, the convenient rickety skydome, the spoken explanation of everything and even a bit of gratuitous violence thrown in.
Overall, it isn't as bad as people say. It's another nail in the coffin of Amy's career but at least she's going out in style.
Even Amy couldn't save it.
cafeosh14 May 2021
Having read the book I was super excited about the movie ! But alas it was a disappointment. The movie felt like more of a drama than an intriguing thriller like it was in the book. The dialogues sometimes were over the top and the pace lagging, the supporting actors only show up when it's convenient to keep the plot moving. Sadly there is nothing interesting about any one of them. Expect for Moore she nailed her part.
Even the two biggest reveals of the story seemed lacklustre. There was a lot of buildup throughout but it just fell flat in the end.
Keeping all the negativity aside Amy as always did a great job.
Even the two biggest reveals of the story seemed lacklustre. There was a lot of buildup throughout but it just fell flat in the end.
Keeping all the negativity aside Amy as always did a great job.
Better than you think
brendastks14 May 2021
Very average unfortunately.
Sleepin_Dragon18 September 2021
A housebound woman witnesses a brutal act in the house opposite, but is all as it seems?
I have read the book, it's a great book, this is a moderately good adaptation of it. The issue here, was the pacing, at times it felt very dragged out, with some overlong scenes, and crazily long pauses, there's tension, and then there's overly slow, this couldn't find the balance.
We've had the woman on the train, and at times this just felt like a rehashed version of that, only that was much better.
I did think the acting was first rate, and despite such an illustrious cast, I did think that Amy Adams was the real standout.
It's watchable, I wanted it to be great, 6/10.
I have read the book, it's a great book, this is a moderately good adaptation of it. The issue here, was the pacing, at times it felt very dragged out, with some overlong scenes, and crazily long pauses, there's tension, and then there's overly slow, this couldn't find the balance.
We've had the woman on the train, and at times this just felt like a rehashed version of that, only that was much better.
I did think the acting was first rate, and despite such an illustrious cast, I did think that Amy Adams was the real standout.
It's watchable, I wanted it to be great, 6/10.
MEH
DelaRed14 May 2021
Truly waste of time and talent ; it fells like a cable tv-movie and it's a hate crime if you even think put it on the same line with Hitchcock's gripping thriller (Rear Window ) , Amy Adams was OK, she could play these kind of roles in her sleep ( See Sharp objects she was terrific ) ; some great actors are criminally underused ( Anthony Mackie - Jennifer Leigh - Gary Oldman ) , The only standout in this tripe was Julianne Moore who injected some energy into this borefest however she couldn't save this mess , if she was given much more screen time the movie would be at least decent .
Don't waste your time , watch Rear Window it's the same permise but well executed .
Don't waste your time , watch Rear Window it's the same permise but well executed .
Acting Excellence Earns This Film A Hall-Pass Despite Its Poorly Adapted Screenplay
Instant_Palmer19 May 2021
A poor screenplay usually yields disappointment, and a low rating attached to my review - and this adapted screenplay is undeniably flawed.
However, the excellent performances of the ensemble of top-line actors in 'The Woman In The Window' makes viewing this long-anticipated movie worth the invested time, and gets a rare hall-pass from me.
Bruno Delbonnel's cinematography helps immensely, delivering unique scene structure and cinematic camera techniques that pay homage at large to Alfred Hitchcock, and the story itself paralleling one of his most critically acclaimed films 'Rear Window'.
Hitchcock was a filmmaker's filmmaker, and Delbonnel pays tribute by unabashedly utilizing a large number of classic Hitchcockian (and Bergman) camera techniques to set the film's overall suspense tone, build tension and anticipation, establish metaphors, and bring the viewer into the thinking and emotions of the protagonist (eg. Spiraling stairwell scenes, bokeh close-ups, half-face shadowing, elevated camera angles, surreal imagery, dead-silent eye-contact moments, etc.), that add viewing-value.
But this film was disappointing in its story telling, especially in its ending where I'm guessing scenes were left on the editing floor. Perhaps the reason the film took so long to release were triage-attempts to re-edit the story back into the film...this almost never works.
Regardless, for me the experience of viewing such deft retro artistic filmmaking, and witnessing the superb acting performances by this highly capable cast (led by Amy Adams👏), was enough to garner a passing grade from me, and a recommendation to view.
However, the excellent performances of the ensemble of top-line actors in 'The Woman In The Window' makes viewing this long-anticipated movie worth the invested time, and gets a rare hall-pass from me.
Bruno Delbonnel's cinematography helps immensely, delivering unique scene structure and cinematic camera techniques that pay homage at large to Alfred Hitchcock, and the story itself paralleling one of his most critically acclaimed films 'Rear Window'.
Hitchcock was a filmmaker's filmmaker, and Delbonnel pays tribute by unabashedly utilizing a large number of classic Hitchcockian (and Bergman) camera techniques to set the film's overall suspense tone, build tension and anticipation, establish metaphors, and bring the viewer into the thinking and emotions of the protagonist (eg. Spiraling stairwell scenes, bokeh close-ups, half-face shadowing, elevated camera angles, surreal imagery, dead-silent eye-contact moments, etc.), that add viewing-value.
But this film was disappointing in its story telling, especially in its ending where I'm guessing scenes were left on the editing floor. Perhaps the reason the film took so long to release were triage-attempts to re-edit the story back into the film...this almost never works.
Regardless, for me the experience of viewing such deft retro artistic filmmaking, and witnessing the superb acting performances by this highly capable cast (led by Amy Adams👏), was enough to garner a passing grade from me, and a recommendation to view.
Without a doubt Rear Window from 1954 comes to mind and I can only say that Alfred Hitchcock won.
alejandro-bonilla14 May 2021
This is the example of movies with big budgets that allow them to have a lot of possibilities, but sometimes a lot is not the best for a movie. Without a doubt Rear Window from 1954 comes to mind and I can only say that Alfred Hitchcock won since with much less he provides us with the suspense that The Woman In The Window lacked. I must say that I am a fan of Joe Wright movies and this is not at his level, it will not change the perception I have of him as a filmmaker because I want to think that the decisions that hurt the film were not made by him (based on some productions by Scott Rudin) so I'll pretend I never looked at it. I also have to mention that the best thing was the music, excellently achieved by Danny Elfman where he takes us on a journey of horror classics, exactly what the movie dealt with in many ways but with mediocre results, I can't wait to listen to it in full and enjoy the heartbreaking cry of the violins.
Nice mystery thriller
MikeWindgren14 May 2021
For sure this one has Hitchcock written all over it. The Rear Window film clip near the beginning, the music, the set-up.
But I liked it. Starts slow, but gets better and more tense along the way.
Don't hesitate to watch it when you like a good thriller.
But I liked it. Starts slow, but gets better and more tense along the way.
Don't hesitate to watch it when you like a good thriller.
Bummer
kdogg-6461314 May 2021
I'm normally a fan of Amy Adams. Some reviews say she's great in this movie but I felt like it's her worst performance.
The movie was lifeless. The ending was unsatisfying - not because it should have ended differently but because any ending was irrelevant since the movie game me no reason to care about any of the characters whether liking or hating them.
The movie was lifeless. The ending was unsatisfying - not because it should have ended differently but because any ending was irrelevant since the movie game me no reason to care about any of the characters whether liking or hating them.
Contrary To What Others Thought...
flowerstardust197915 May 2021
I enjoyed this. No it wasn't perfect, parts of it let the movie down but overall it was a tense mystery thriller.
If you like twisty thrillers that mess with your head and putting the viewer in the position of questioning the main characters sanity versus reality then like me you'll probably enjoy this.
This movie shouldn't be compared to Rear Window. This is agoraphobic alcoholic crazy cat lady who has nothing else to fulfil her days except to spy on the neighbourhood. Enter her new neighbours and her life as she knows it decends into a a living nightmare for multiple reasons.
One of the much better movies of 2021.
If you like twisty thrillers that mess with your head and putting the viewer in the position of questioning the main characters sanity versus reality then like me you'll probably enjoy this.
This movie shouldn't be compared to Rear Window. This is agoraphobic alcoholic crazy cat lady who has nothing else to fulfil her days except to spy on the neighbourhood. Enter her new neighbours and her life as she knows it decends into a a living nightmare for multiple reasons.
One of the much better movies of 2021.
It's NOT Rear Window
bankofmarquis24 May 2021
A piece of advice for you when you start to watch the "Alfred Hitchcock-esque" thriller, THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW. If you are at all a Hitchcock fan, you will be spending the first part of this film comparing it to the 1954 classic REAR WINDOW and this would be a disservice to this film.
For...THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW is no Rear Window, nor is it intended to be. It has many, many elements that are the same as Rear Window (most notably, the setup: a housebound person thinks they have witnessed a murder in a neighboring apartment), and THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW is just like Rear Window...until it isn't.
And that's when I started to like this film, when I stopped comparing it (in my head) to Rear Window.
Based on the Best Seller by A. J. Finn (adapted for the screen by Tracy Letts who also appears in the film), THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW tells the tale of Anna Fox, an agoraphobic who watches life go on outside her window. When she thinks she has witnessed a murder, she (and the audience) must decide is it real? Did she truly witness a murder? If so, who dunnit? If not, is she just hallucinating things? Is Anna crazy?
The answers to these questions were satisfying enough to me that I ended up enjoying the film experience that I had - but I have to be honest and tell you that, for awhile, my enjoyment of this film was hanging by a thread.
Amy Adams (ENCHANTED) is terrific - if unspectacular - in the title role. Her Anna Fox is murkey (that is meant as a compliment) and struggles through most of the film trying to determine what is real and what is an illusion. Adams does a "journeyman's" job with this role. She acts her way through it in such a workmanlike fashion that I almost forgot that it is Adams on the screen.
Wyatt Russell (Kurt's son who is also the new Captain America in THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER) fares the best of the Supporting players for he has the most to do. Unfortunately, Director Joe Wright (ATONEMENT) and Screenwriter Letts wastes such strong actors as Gary Oldman (DARKEST HOUR), Julianne Moore (STILL ALICE), Anthony Mackie (The Falcon in the Marvel Movies), Jennifer Jason Leigh (HATEFUL 8), Brian Tyree Henry (GET OUT) and Letts himself in terribly underwritten roles that serve (mostly) as red herrings - and each of their characters are interchangeable and forgettable.
And that, ultimately, is where this film comes apart. While I cared about Anna and the solution to the mystery - I didn't care very much about the other characters involved.
Which is why, I think, I'll pull my DVD of Rear Window out and watch that film for the umpteenth time.
Letter Grade: B
7 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
For...THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW is no Rear Window, nor is it intended to be. It has many, many elements that are the same as Rear Window (most notably, the setup: a housebound person thinks they have witnessed a murder in a neighboring apartment), and THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW is just like Rear Window...until it isn't.
And that's when I started to like this film, when I stopped comparing it (in my head) to Rear Window.
Based on the Best Seller by A. J. Finn (adapted for the screen by Tracy Letts who also appears in the film), THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW tells the tale of Anna Fox, an agoraphobic who watches life go on outside her window. When she thinks she has witnessed a murder, she (and the audience) must decide is it real? Did she truly witness a murder? If so, who dunnit? If not, is she just hallucinating things? Is Anna crazy?
The answers to these questions were satisfying enough to me that I ended up enjoying the film experience that I had - but I have to be honest and tell you that, for awhile, my enjoyment of this film was hanging by a thread.
Amy Adams (ENCHANTED) is terrific - if unspectacular - in the title role. Her Anna Fox is murkey (that is meant as a compliment) and struggles through most of the film trying to determine what is real and what is an illusion. Adams does a "journeyman's" job with this role. She acts her way through it in such a workmanlike fashion that I almost forgot that it is Adams on the screen.
Wyatt Russell (Kurt's son who is also the new Captain America in THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER) fares the best of the Supporting players for he has the most to do. Unfortunately, Director Joe Wright (ATONEMENT) and Screenwriter Letts wastes such strong actors as Gary Oldman (DARKEST HOUR), Julianne Moore (STILL ALICE), Anthony Mackie (The Falcon in the Marvel Movies), Jennifer Jason Leigh (HATEFUL 8), Brian Tyree Henry (GET OUT) and Letts himself in terribly underwritten roles that serve (mostly) as red herrings - and each of their characters are interchangeable and forgettable.
And that, ultimately, is where this film comes apart. While I cared about Anna and the solution to the mystery - I didn't care very much about the other characters involved.
Which is why, I think, I'll pull my DVD of Rear Window out and watch that film for the umpteenth time.
Letter Grade: B
7 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Lol what?
chelseasierra16 May 2021
Felt like some try-hard artsy film with a weird graphic fight scene chucked in at the end. The plot was pretty predictable and the acting was weird- even Gary Oldman played a caricature of himself?! It's certainly not the worst film I've ever seen, it was just disappointing.
not great but worth seeing
lee_eisenberg1 June 2021
Meh...
M_Light4 June 2021
A score of 7 is the equivalent of a decent movie. But that's about it. Nothing special here.
The first half made you wonder. There was potential for many fun/intriguing possibilities. Sadly, it fell short.
The acting slightly salvaged the movie. Heavyweights Amy Adams and Gary Oldman did a fine job.
In short, I'd recommend watching this if it's late and you're considering going to bed.
If you're looking for a movie to "wow" you, steer away. Not that kind of movie.
The first half made you wonder. There was potential for many fun/intriguing possibilities. Sadly, it fell short.
The acting slightly salvaged the movie. Heavyweights Amy Adams and Gary Oldman did a fine job.
In short, I'd recommend watching this if it's late and you're considering going to bed.
If you're looking for a movie to "wow" you, steer away. Not that kind of movie.
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