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AMY ADAMS plays an agoraphobic woman who believes she has witnessed a terrible crime
Including Amy Adams in the chiller The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window NEW Genre: Psychological thriller
Available: Friday 14 May
Runs: 101min TVSW says: Adams shines as a troubled woman wrestling with her sanity
WHEN DIRECTOR JOE WRIGHT began filming this adaptation of AJ Finn’s bestselling novel in 2018, he couldn’t have foreseen that the story of a woman unable to leave her home would soon become hugely resonant to viewers all over the world.
The Woman in the Window stars Amy Adams as child psychologist Anna Fox, whose agoraphobia has marooned her inside her New York town house, watching neighbours from the window, while her tenant, aspiring musician David Winters (Wyatt Russell), lives in the basement and does odd jobs around the house.
‘I’m a fan of psychological thrillers, especially the ones from the 50s and 60s,’ says Adams. ‘When I spoke to Joe about the way he wanted to film this, and the tension he wanted to build, I was so attracted to that. I also loved how Anna is struggling with so much darkness – there’s a lot of shame, and a lot of secrets.’
MYSTERY
When the Russell family move in across the street, Anna befriends their teenage son, Ethan (Fred Hechinger), and the woman she believes to be his mother, Jane (Julianne Moore).
After hearing a scream from across the street one evening, Anna rushes to the window, and sees Jane being stabbed.
But Ethan and his father, Alistair (Gary Oldman), insist nothing is wrong. When Anna involves the NYPD, even Detective Little (Brian Tyree Henry) is sceptical that Anna saw anything of significance – especially when a different woman
(Jennifer Jason
Leigh) turns up, claiming to be Jane.
Has Anna become confused by her medication and alcohol intake, or has she really witnessed a terrible crime?
‘I was fascinated by the character of Anna and her grip, or lack of grip, on reality – I’m interested in the idea that we all create our own reality,’ says
Wright, who reshot several scenes when test audiences found some of the storyline confusing.
‘We wanted to clarify certain points,’ he explains. ‘But we also tried to make sure we didn’t oversimplify anything and make things too clear. There’s an enjoyment in not knowing what’s going on, but at the same time, you have to give the audience something to hold on to. You have to lead
them through the labyrinth of mystery and fear.’
Although both Amy Adams and Julianne Moore are regular Hollywood headliners, The Woman in the Window marks their first on-screen appearance together – and the two women were extremely excited to finally have the opportunity to share a scene.
‘I’ve been a fan of Amy’s for so long, so I jumped at the chance to do this with her,’ says Moore. ‘It was great to have intimate scenes together. I love that my character, as mysterious as she is, has this genuine connection to this woman.’