Directed by
James Watkins
Made by
CBS Films
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Woman in Black (2012). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Arthur Kipps, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, is a young attorney grappling with the profound grief of losing his beautiful wife during childbirth. Now a single father, he is left to raise his young son Joseph, whose innocent artwork often reflects his father’s sorrowful demeanor. Tasked with evaluating a remote estate for sale, Kipps ventures into a desolate village where the locals are wary of outsiders. His assignment to the eerie Eel Marsh House, formerly owned by the late Alice Drablow, quickly unveils the estate’s haunting legacy.
As Kipps investigates the dilapidated mansion, he learns from the frightened townsfolk that it is tormented by the vengeful spirit of a woman in black, who seeks retribution against the children due to the loss of her own. Amidst the dread, he develops a bond with Ciarán Hinds and his wife Elisabeth, both of whom share a tragic connection, having lost their own son.
In a series of chilling encounters, Kipps faces ghostly apparitions, eerie sounds, and heart-wrenching visions, including the horrifying sight of three little girls who, in a moment of inexplicable despair, take their lives. Arthur’s relentless quest to uncover the mysteries linked to the woman in black reveals a tragic backstory involving Jennet, who, after losing her child, condemned others to suffer her anguish.
“You could have saved him…”
Arthur’s world spirals further into darkness as he witnesses the haunting presence claiming more innocent lives. His deep-rooted desire to protect Joseph pushes him to confront the malevolent specter and seek closure for both the vengeful spirit and himself. With courage, he plunges into the treacherous marshes to recover Nathaniel’s body, intending to grant him peace and reunite him with his mother. However, as the lines between life and death blur, Arthur’s efforts culminate in tragic consequences.
In an ultimately harrowing finale, Arthur’s desperate act to save his son results in an unimaginable fate, merging their destinies with the tormented souls of the past. Together they move toward the afterlife, united once more, as the echoes of sorrow linger within the village.
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Woman in Black (2012) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Arthur's Loss
Arthur Kipps is introduced as a young attorney grieving the death of his wife who died during childbirth. This personal tragedy deeply affects him, leaving him to navigate life as a single father to their son, Joseph.
A Mother's Grief
As Arthur attempts to cope, he notices that Joseph's innocent artwork often reflects his father’s sorrowful demeanor. This relationship highlights the bond they share even amid shared grief and sadness.
The Remote Assignment
Arthur is assigned to assess the remote Eel Marsh House, which was owned by the late Alice Drablow. Despite the locals' cold reception and reluctance to engage with him, he is determined to fulfill his duty.
Local Fear
Upon arrival at the village, Arthur encounters hostility and suspicion from the townsfolk, who are wary of outsiders. He learns that the area is haunted by a malevolent spirit, the Woman in Black, who has a tragic history.
Investigating the Mansion
As Arthur explores the dilapidated Eel Marsh House, eerie sounds and ghostly apparitions begin to torment him. The locals' warnings and his own experiences heighten the sense of dread surrounding the estate.
Connection with Local Family
Arthur meets Ciarán Hinds and his wife Elisabeth, who share their own tragic story of losing their son. This bond brings them closer as they navigate their grief while revealing the community's dark past.
The Three Little Girls
In a terrifying vision, Arthur witnesses the tragic fate of three little girls who take their own lives. This horrifying moment becomes a pivotal point for him, illustrating the depths of despair tied to the Woman in Black.
The Spirit's Backstory
Arthur uncovers the tragic backstory of Jennet, the Woman in Black, who lost her child and now seeks revenge through the loss of others. This revelation deepens the haunting atmosphere surrounding the estate.
Descent into Darkness
As Arthur's investigations continue, he witnesses the Woman in Black claiming more innocent lives, escalating his fear for Joseph's safety. This intensifies his need to confront the spirit to protect his son.
The Search for Closure
Driven by his love for Joseph, Arthur decides to confront the spirit and seeks to recover the body of Nathaniel, Jennet's child, hoping to bring peace to both the spirit and himself. This quest plunges him into despair.
Tragic Consequences
In an ultimate act of desperation to save his son, Arthur's journey culminates in tragic consequences. His actions lead to a dire fate that intertwines their destinies with those of the tormented souls.
Reunion in the Afterlife
In the finale, Arthur and Joseph are united as they make their way toward the afterlife, merging their fates with the sorrowful echoes of the past. This heartbreaking closure resonates within the village.
Explore all characters from The Woman in Black (2012). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe)
Arthur Kipps is a young attorney navigating his role as a single father while grappling with the deep grief of losing his wife. His character embodies resilience as he confronts both his emotional turmoil and the haunting specter of the woman in black. His protective instincts toward his son lead him to challenge the paranormal threats in their lives.
Elisabeth (Ciarán Hinds)
Elisabeth is a character who shares a deep sorrow with Arthur Kipps due to the loss of her own child. Her connection with Arthur highlights the theme of shared grief and the struggle to find peace amid tragedy. Elisabeth embodies compassion and offers a window into the emotional void left by loss.
Learn where and when The Woman in Black (2012) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The movie encompasses a timeless gothic atmosphere that reflects on themes of grief and loss. It portrays a past era characterized by societal norms of mourning and the supernatural beliefs surrounding death. This backdrop enhances the emotional depth of Arthur's journey as he navigates his sorrow and confronts underlying darker forces.
Location
Eel Marsh House, Desolate Village
Eel Marsh House is a dilapidated mansion situated in a remote area, marked by its eerie presence and haunted legacy. Known for its unsettling atmosphere, it becomes the center of Arthur Kipps' investigation, revealing the tragic past of its former owner. The surrounding desolate village is marked by the residents' fear of the supernatural, creating an unsettling environment that amplifies the film's tension.
Discover the main themes in The Woman in Black (2012). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Grief
Grief is a predominant theme that shapes the narrative, as Arthur Kipps deals with the aftermath of losing his wife. His sorrow influences his relationship with his son and drives his quest through the haunted estate. This theme is further intensified by the tragic loss experienced by the woman in black and the impact it has on the villagers.
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Supernatural Retribution
The haunting presence of the woman in black symbolizes supernatural retribution against those who have caused her pain. As Arthur uncovers her tragic backstory, the consequences of loss and vengeance become intertwined. This theme underscores the cycle of sorrow that affects not only the spirits but also the living.
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Woman in Black (2012). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the mist‑shrouded marshlands of a lonely coastal village, Arthur Kipps arrives on a somber assignment: to assess the estate of a recently deceased client. The town’s weather‑worn cottages and wary locals create an atmosphere thick with silent histories, while the wind whistles through the reeds that surround the isolated Eel Marsh House. The house itself, perched on stilts and cloaked in relentless fog, exudes a gothic melancholy that mirrors Arthur’s own recent loss, setting a tone of uneasy stillness that pervades every step he takes.
Arthur, a young solicitor still grieving the death of his wife, now faces the added weight of caring for his small son Joseph. Their relationship, forged in quiet tenderness, offers a fragile anchor amid the oppressive surroundings. As Arthur begins to sort through the dusty papers and crumbling rooms of the manor, he senses an undercurrent of something unseen—an unsettling presence that the villagers refer to only in hushed tones. The notion of a “Woman in Black” looms like a whispered legend, suggesting that the estate holds more than just legal matters.
The film’s mood is deliberately slow‑burning, inviting viewers to feel the chill of the sea air and the heaviness of unspoken grief. Light and shadow play across the marshes, amplifying the feeling that the past clings to the present like the tide. Within this bleak yet beautifully rendered world, Arthur’s quest to settle the estate becomes a subtle exploration of memory, loss, and the thin veil between the ordinary and the uncanny, promising that the truth he uncovers may be as haunting as the landscape itself.
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