A gothic ghost story became the most complained-about film of 2012 in Britain.
In short: When the 2012 adaptation of The Woman in Black hit theaters, it sparked a fierce debate over its 12A age rating. Despite deliberate cuts to soften its scares, the film drew 134 public complaints, marking it as the most controversial classification decision of the year for the British Board of Film Classification.
Directed by James Watkins and starring Daniel Radcliffe, the 2012 film serves as the second adaptation of Susan Hill’s 1983 novel. Set in early-20th-century England, the story follows Arthur Kipps, a widowed lawyer who travels to the isolated village of Crythin Gifford. There, he encounters a vengeful spirit—Jennet Humfrye—who terrorizes the local community by forcing children to take their own lives as penance for the loss of her own son, Nathaniel.
The production process was marked by significant shifts, including the decision to scrap original plans for a 3D release. Principal photography took place across England between September and December 2010, utilizing locations such as Cotterstock Hall for the desolate Eel Marsh House. To prepare for the role, Radcliffe consulted with a psychologist, while the role of his on-screen son was played by his real-life godson, Misha Handley.
Commercially, the film was a major success, grossing $130 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing British horror film in two decades. Critics largely praised its atmosphere and commitment to traditional gothic tropes, though some noted it lacked the intensity modern horror audiences might expect. Despite its box office triumph, the film's legacy remains tied to its controversial UK rating; it was only later, during a 2014 re-release, that the classification was raised to a 15.
The film’s success paved the way for a 2015 sequel, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, which relocated the haunting to the era of World War II. While the original film remains a standout in Hammer Film Productions' history, it serves as a reminder of how traditional ghost stories can still provoke intense public reaction when they push the boundaries of what is considered suitable for younger viewers.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Woman in Black (2012 film)
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