Film Review: "The Woman in the Window" (2021).

"She has nothing to prove but what's real" in The Woman in the Window. This psychological thriller film directed by Joe Wright, adapted by Tracy Letts, and based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Daniel Mallory (under the pseudonym A. J. Finn). Confined to her home by agoraphobia, a psychologist becomes obsessed with her new neighbors — and solving a brutal crime she witnesses from her window.

In September 2016, Fox 2000 Pictures acquired screen rights to Mallory's novel of the same name. In March 2018, it was announced that Wright was hired to direct, with Letts peening the adaptation. In April, Amy Adams was attached to star. By early August, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Julianne Moore and Letts rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late October. Filming took place in New York City. 20th Century Fox originally scheduled the film for an earlier 2019 release date. But, in early July 2019, it was reported by The Hollywood Reporter that the film was delayed to May 15, 2020 as the film was being retooled after the film left test audiences confused. It was then revealed that producer Scott Rudin had hired Tony Gilroy to do rewrites and write the reshoots. Originally, Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor were hired to score the film. After the film's release was delayed and the film went back into production, it was announced that they were replaced by Danny Elfman. It became be final film to be released under the Fox 2000 label after the Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox. In mid March 2020, the film was removed from the release calendar because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the intent to reschedule it for later in 2020. In early August 3, it was announced that Netflix was in final talks to acquire the distribution rights to the film.

The film stars Adams, Oldman, Mackie, Hechinger, Russell, Henry, Leigh, Moore and Letts. Features a superb turn by Adams, though the characterization is generally so unfavorable that she'll be hard-pressed to gain much critical recognition. If not for Adams' and the rest of the cast's fantastic performance, the film would have come across as a quickie capitalizing on the novel's popularity.

The film, in trying to get us into its protagonist's shattered psyche, goes too far, alienating us from its very soul. Calling a film "manipulative" is not necessarily an insult (see: Alfred Hitchcock and Rear Window), but when the manipulation is as openly cynical as the film, it spoils the fun. The film becomes laughably insipid, degrading the intelligence of its audience and any kind of authenticity for its characters. As far as thrillers go, the film works hard to make every player seem suspicious but the result isn't as juicy. The film spends so much time on shock value, it neglects the aspects of fluid, substantial storytelling.

Simon says The Woman in the Window receives:

Also, see my review for Darkest Hour.