The Woman in the Window 2021
Directed by
Joe Wright
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Child psychologist Anna Fox resides in her Manhattan brownstone following a separation from her husband Edward and their daughter Olivia, whom she communicates with daily despite the distance. Battling agoraphobia, Anna remains confined to her home, where she observes her neighbors from her second-floor window, particularly the Russell family that has recently taken up residence across the street. Struggling with her mental health, she is reliant on medication and alcohol.
One fateful evening, Jane Russell (portrayed by Julianne Moore) drops by to share some wine and enjoy a card game with Anna, sparking a budding friendship. Soon after, Jane’s teenage son Ethan (Fred Hechinger) visits, and Anna accidentally hints at the abusive tendencies of Ethan’s father, Alistair (Gary Oldman). Tragedy strikes when Anna witnesses Jane being brutally stabbed in her living room. When she reports the incident, the police dismiss her claims, insisting the family is unharmed. However, tension rises when Alistair arrives with a different woman named Jane (Jennifer Jason Leigh), leaving Anna confused and worried.
As tension mounts, Anna drafts a plan to spy on the Russells. Her downstairs tenant David (Wyatt Russell) asserts that he didn’t hear anything on the night of the supposed murder, raising Anna’s suspicions further. She later discovers one of Jane’s earrings in David’s room, as well as his criminal background, which complicates her perception of reality. An anonymous email that includes a photo of her sleeping adds to her paranoia.
Desperation leads Anna to confront the detectives again, resulting in a breakdown when the Russell family appears with David. The investigation takes a dark turn as it’s revealed that Edward and Olivia tragically lost their lives in a car accident, a terrible incident caused inadvertently by Anna. This has left her emotionally scarred and battling hallucinations due to her medication.
Clinging to her guilt, Anna apologizes to the Russells and abandons her suspicions. However, a shocking discovery—a photograph on her phone showing the original Jane in the reflection of a wine glass—sends her spiraling back into turmoil. David explains that Jane is actually Katie Meli, Ethan’s birth mother, and that she had been stalking the family.
The nightmare escalates when Ethan reveals a sinister truth: he has murdered Katie and is a budding serial killer, with intentions to kill Anna as well. He had been secretly accessing her apartment, which leads to a harrowing showdown between them. In a desperate fight on the roof, Anna ultimately thwarts Ethan by pushing him through a skylight.
As Anna recuperates in the hospital, Detective Little (Brian Tyree Henry) informs her that Alistair and Jane have been arrested for their involvement in covering up Katie’s murder and extends his apologies for the initial disbelief they encountered.
Fast forward nine months, and we find Anna, now sober, finally ready to say goodbye to the memories that haunted her within those walls and to her late family, as she embraces the opportunity to move forward with her life.
Timeline
Isolation in Manhattan
Child psychologist Anna Fox resides in her Manhattan brownstone, grappling with the emotional fallout from her separation from her husband Edward and their daughter Olivia. Her agoraphobia prevents her from venturing outside, leading her to spend her days observing her neighbors from her second-floor window.
Budding Friendship
One evening, Jane Russell visits Anna to share some wine and play cards, sparking a connection that provides Anna with a brief escape from her loneliness. This friendship becomes significant as Anna tries to navigate through her struggles with mental health.
Accidental Revelation
Anna inadvertently hints at the abusive nature of Ethan's father, Alistair, during a casual conversation with Jane. This moment hints at underlying tension within the Russell family and raises Anna's concerns about their safety.
Witnessing a Murder
Anna's life takes a dark turn when she witnesses Jane being brutally stabbed in her own living room. In a state of shock, she reports the incident to the police, but her claims are dismissed as they insist the Russell family is unharmed.
Confusion with the Russells
When Alistair returns home with a different woman named Jane, Anna is left confused and wondering about her own sanity. This twist raises further alarm bells for Anna, intensifying her suspicion towards the Russell family.
Spying on the Russells
Determined to uncover the truth, Anna begins to spy on the Russell family. She faces increasing tension, especially when her downstairs tenant David claims he heard nothing on the night of the murder, further driving her to dig deeper.
Discovery of the Earring
Anna discovers one of Jane's earrings in David's room, which raises her suspicions about his involvement. Coupled with his criminal background, this finding complicates her already fragile perception of reality.
Anonymous Threats
An anonymous email containing a photo of Anna sleeping pushes her paranoia to new heights. This intrusion into her privacy amplifies her feelings of helplessness and fear as she realizes she may not be as safe as she thought.
Confrontation with Detectives
Anna confronts the detectives about her fears again, experiencing a breakdown as the Russell family appears with David. The tension mounts as her plea for help is overshadowed by their dismissive attitude.
A Past Tragedy Revealed
Anna learns the devastating news that her husband and daughter died in a car accident, a tragedy she feels responsible for. This revelation shatters her emotional state further, intensifying her hallucinations and guilt.
Unraveling the Truth
Despite her guilt, Anna finds a disturbing photograph on her phone reflecting the original Jane in a wine glass, sending her spiraling back into paranoia. The chaotic revelation reveals layers about the real identity of Jane.
Ethan's Sinister Confession
Ethan reveals to Anna that he has killed his birth mother, Katie, and expresses his intent to murder her as well. This shocking confession portrays him as a budding serial killer, increasing Anna's sense of imminent danger.
Harrowing Showdown
A desperate confrontation ensues on the rooftop between Anna and Ethan. In a tense struggle for survival, Anna ultimately pushes Ethan through a skylight, preventing him from carrying out his threat.
Aftermath and Arrests
While recovering in the hospital, Anna learns that Alistair and Jane have been arrested for covering up Katie's murder. Detective Little expresses his regrets over the previous disbelief shown to Anna, affirming she was right all along.
A New Beginning
Nine months later, Anna is now sober and ready to move past the haunting memories that have plagued her. She finally embraces the chance to say goodbye to her past and steps into a renewed future, symbolizing her journey to healing.
Characters
Anna Fox
Anna Fox, portrayed by Amy Adams, is a child psychologist grappling with severe agoraphobia after the tragic loss of her family. Her character embodies complexity as she navigates her fears, memories, and guilt, pushing the boundaries of her mental state. As the story unfolds, Anna's resilience is tested in dire circumstances.
Detective Little
Detective Little, played by Brian Tyree Henry, serves as a grounding force in Anna's chaotic life, attempting to validate her experiences. His character represents the struggle of law enforcement in believing eyewitness accounts, particularly from those dealing with mental health issues. Throughout the investigation, he faces challenges in separating truth from deception.
Jane Russell
Jane Russell, as portrayed by Julianne Moore, appears as a friendly neighbor who quickly becomes integral to Anna's life. Her character adds layers of intrigue and ultimately tragedy to the story, as Anna's idealized friendship turns into a nightmare. Jane’s presence raises questions about trust and the hidden depths of human relationships.
Ethan Russell
Ethan Russell, played by Fred Hechinger, is portrayed as a troubled teenager with dark secrets. His character progression reveals a sinister side, transforming from a seemingly innocent boy to a serious threat. This shift emphasizes themes of deception and the unpredictability of human nature.
Setting
Time period
The events of the movie unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern issues such as mental health struggles and urban isolation. The depiction of Anna's life showcases the complexities of contemporary relationships and the impact of personal trauma on one's psyche.
Location
Manhattan
The movie primarily takes place in Manhattan, New York City, known for its iconic skyline and vibrant urban life. Anna Fox lives in a brownstone, a typical residence in this bustling area, which contrasts with her isolated and agoraphobic lifestyle. The neighborhood serves as a backdrop for Anna's increasingly tense observations of her neighbors.
Themes
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Mental Health
The film explores the theme of mental health, particularly focusing on agoraphobia and its effects on Anna's life. Her battles with guilt, hallucinations, and fear highlight the struggles many face with psychological well-being. This theme is woven throughout her journey toward recovery and empowerment.
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Surveillance
Surveillance plays a crucial role in the narrative, as Anna observes her neighbors from her window, which leads to significant plot revelations. This theme raises questions about privacy, perception, and the consequences of watching others. Anna's increasingly paranoid perspective blurs the lines between reality and imagination.
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Violence
The movie addresses themes of violence and betrayal, with shocking moments that unveil the darker aspects of family and relationships. Anna's witness of a brutal crime catalyzes the unfolding of a tense drama, showcasing how violence can disrupt lives and perceptions.
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