A star-studded psychological thriller that became a symbol of pandemic-era isolation and production delays.
In short: The Woman in the Window, a 2021 psychological thriller featuring Amy Adams, faced a turbulent journey from production to streaming. Originally intended for theatrical release, the film was delayed multiple times and eventually sold to Netflix, where it became a notable, if divisive, title during the global pandemic.
Directed by Joe Wright and written by Tracy Letts, the film adapts a 2018 novel by A. J. Finn. It centers on Anna Fox, an agoraphobic child psychologist living in a Manhattan brownstone. Following the death of her husband and daughter in a car accident—a trauma she initially hallucinates away—Anna spends her days medicated and spying on her neighbors. The plot thickens when she witnesses a murder, only to find her credibility undermined by her own mental state and the gaslighting of those around her.
The production history of the film is as complex as its narrative. It served as the final project for Fox 2000 Pictures before the label was shuttered following the Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Initially slated for an October 2019 release, the film underwent significant re-editing after test screenings. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted its debut, leading to its eventual move to Netflix in May 2021. Director Joe Wright has since suggested the final version was watered down, expressing interest in a future director's cut.
Critical reception was largely mixed. While some reviewers praised the film's visual flair and Amy Adams' performance, others criticized the convoluted plot and stilted dialogue. Despite the negative consensus, some critics found the film's depiction of a homebound protagonist ironically resonant with audiences living through lockdowns. The film's tropes were later parodied in a 2022 Netflix dark comedy series, highlighting the genre conventions that the original thriller struggled to transcend.
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