Netflix’s new series “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window,” released Jan. 28, tells the story of a recent widow and divorcee Anna Whitaker (Kristin Bell) who witnesses a murder across the street.
However, her neighbors and the police do not believe that she has actually seen this,and she struggles throughout the season to find out what actually happened on that night.
Anna faces debilitating ombrophobia, the fear of the rain. This leads to her spending alot of time in her house, where she watches new neighbors move in.
After observing the neighbors, Neil (Tom Riley) and his daughter Emma (Samsara Yett), Anna sees Neil’s girlfriend Lisa (Shelley Henig) be murdered.
Anna frantically reports this to the police. However, they do not find a body and dismiss Anna’s claim due to her history of alcohol abuse and heavy reliance on prescription pills.
She then decides to investigate this matter herself, learning more about her neighbors’ lives in order to prove that what she saw actually
happened.
The acting is all around spectacular. Bell’s role is more serious compared to some of her previous roles in comedies, but her acting is a highlight of the series.
Some of the most memorable performances, however, come from secondary characters. Despite being only 9 years old, Yett puts on a believable and strong performance of her character.
Other performances from Riley and Henig are just as impressive, playing very realistic yet interesting characters.
The series is also a satire, mocking other shows and movies in the thriller genre.
The show pokes fun at other thrillers through the use of stereotypical tropes, like Anna’s seemingly never-ending supply of casseroles, or the handyman who always seems to be working on something for her.
However, the satirical aspects of this otherwise mysterious show are not strong enough.
There are funny lines every now and then, and clear tropes that are present in other thrillers, but these are overshadowed by the genuine thrill in the plot, undermining the impact of the satire.
The humorous parts of the series can easily slip past someone, and some viewers may not realize the series is a satire at all.
This series is definitely binge-worthy and full of plot twists. The story puts the viewer in a state of constant suspense, making it a great thriller and mystery.With eight 30-minute episodes, the series moves fast and captivates its audience. “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window” keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, with many cliffhangers and questions left unanswered in each episode.