The Women In The Yard: PG-13, 2025, Thriller:
The Women in the Yard is a psychological thriller film. The main character, Ramona, a mother of two children, is consumed by grief and isolation after a tragic fatal accident involving her husband, leaving her to care for her 14-year-old son, Taylor, and six-year-old daughter, Annie. The family lives in a rural farmhouse, situated in a remote and isolated area, surrounded by acres of land. Early in the movie, Taylor notices a woman in a black dress appear in front of the home, sitting on a chair, stating, “It’s The Day”, giving the family an uneasy feeling about who she is and what her intentions are. Throughout the film, Ramona struggles with deep internal conflict and dark thoughts cloud her mind as she battles with her own inner demons and faces her deepest fears and regrets to save her children from the woman in the black dress. The film portrays themes of mental illness, grief, attempted suicide, and the lies we tell others and ourselves to cope with trauma.
Junior Aliyah Varella watched the movie with friends and found some scenes confusing, but overall, she liked it.
“The part that caught me off guard was probably when the mom was either dreaming or hallucinating. I think she stabbed her daughter,” Varella said.
“The Woman In The Yard” is a movie that keeps the audience on edge for most of the time. While trying to predict the next jump scare or major event, the viewer is often caught off guard. I recommend watching this film; it has a sense of wonder and suspense as events unfold in sudden, all-of-a-sudden moments. The end of the movie brings everything together, revealing who the woman in the black dress truly is and how this affects Romona’s life and mental state.
Smile 2: R-rated, 2024, Horror/Mystery:
Smile 2 is a psychological horror film. The main character, Skye Riley, is a global pop superstar. She was on a comeback tour after a traumatic event occurred with her boyfriend, causing her great pressure to try to put that behind her. While Skye is visiting a friend, she was passed the curse of the “Smile” entity. As a result, she begins to experience terrifying, unexplainable events and hallucinations. Throughout the film, she is overwhelmed by the pressure of fame and escalating horrors she sees due to the curse; she must face her past to grasp control over her life before it’s too late. The film examines how trauma and drug use can affect a person’s life.
Junior Emily Soria saw the movie when it was released and enjoyed its suspenseful nature.
“My favorite part was when the girl realized that she wasn’t in the car with her actual friend, and that it was actually the monster,” Soria said.
I recommend “Smile 2” because it carries on the curse of the “Smile” from the first film, but with increased suspense. The audience doesn’t know when a jumpscare is going to happen, and there is the confusion of thinking something will appear, but nothing does. This keeps the audience on the edge of their seat throughout the film. Although the sequel differs from the first “Smile”, it does contain the same concept of the curse and connection to some of real life’s darker themes. It creates a sense of suspense, leaving the audience wondering whether Skye will be able to free herself from the curse or die, like previous characters.
Carrie: R-rated, 1976, Horror/Suspense:
“If you got a taste for terror…take Carrie to the prom.” The 1976 horror movie “Carrie” is a suspenseful horror centered around a relentlessly bullied teenage girl, Carrie. Carrie is constantly harassed by her classmates and her religious fanatic of a mother. As her torment at school and at home continues to her breaking point, she starts to uncover telekinesis powers that allow her to punish those who have harmed her. When Carrie attends prom, she receives a truly disturbing form of torment from her peers, the morals of her telekinetic punishment fade, and all hell breaks loose.
Junior Peyton White watched and loved the classic film.
“It is so well acted and very intense,” White said.
“Carrie” is a good pick as there are multiple adaptations to choose from. Although I highly recommend the 1976 version, its age is evident; however, don’t let that deter you – it’s still a classic. It was directed by Brian De Palma, a master of suspense who often infuses his more violent movies with a hint of eroticism. Outside of the opening locker scene, Carrie and her tragically lonesome life are introduced. De Palma’s style is mostly absent, as the titular Carrie is a shy 16-year-old. The famous prom scene is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential moments in the history of horror cinema.
The movie is based on Stephen King’s first novel, “Carrie”, and it was made so early in his career that his name was even misspelled in the credits. This film was a tremendous success, grossing $33.8 million on a budget of $1.8 million. The advertising was abysmal, but the movie’s success was largely driven by word of mouth.