10 Most Overrated Horror Films Of The Past 20 Years

5. The Woman In Black

Scream Babadook
Momentum Pictures/CBS Films

What The Critics Said: “The film, a handsome nerve-jangler produced under the storied Hammer horror banner, amps up the scares without turning them into something stupid.” (Chicago Tribune)

Why They’re Wrong: The Woman In Black is one of those slight, twee ghost stories that takes place in Jane Austen’s England – everyone’s white, middle class and portrayed by a familiar character actor. They’re well thought of by white, middle class Jane Austen-loving critics, or anyone who thought that Paranormal Activity was too fast-paced.

If ever a movie could use a dose of Charlotte Bronte’s “hunger, rebellion and rage”, it’s this one. Everyone speaks in the same grim, portentous manner, and the story plods along indifferently, taking 90 minutes to reach a not very surprising conclusion. Naturally, it was a huge hit. 

Contributor

Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'