Let’s be real for a second. Making a sequel to a movie that basically ended with the main character—played by the world’s most famous wizard, no less—dying in a train wreck is a bold move. It’s the kind of decision that usually smells like a corporate cash grab. But when The Woman in Black 2 (officially subtitled Angel of Death) arrived in theaters, it tried to do something a bit different than just "more of the same." It didn't quite stick the landing for everyone, but there's a lot more going on under the hood than the 26% Rotten Tomatoes score might suggest.
Most people went into this movie expecting Daniel Radcliffe to somehow haunt the place or for the story to pick up the very next day. Instead, the film jumps forty years into the future. It’s 1941. London is getting hammered by the Blitz. We aren't in a Victorian gothic anymore; we're in a mid-century nightmare.
Why the setting of The Woman in Black 2 actually works
The shift to World War II was a stroke of genius from the original author, Susan Hill. She actually suggested the time jump. Think about it: why would anyone willingly go back to Eel Marsh House? You’d have to be desperate.
And desperate is exactly what these characters are.
We follow Eve Parkins, played by Phoebe Fox, and headmistress Jean Hogg (Helen McCrory), as they evacuate a group of school children from the bombings in London. They end up at the crumbling, damp, and deeply unsettling Eel Marsh House because it’s the only place the government could find that wasn't currently being blown to smithereens. It’s a classic "out of the frying pan, into the fire" scenario.
The house itself hasn't aged well. It’s more decayed, more isolated, and the Nine Lives Causeway is just as treacherous as it was in the first film. Honestly, the atmosphere is the best part of the movie. Director Tom Harper uses the fog and the silence of the marsh to make you feel like the war outside is almost preferable to the haunting inside.
The plot: More than just jump scares?
Basically, the "Woman in Black"—Jennet Humfrye—is still mad. She’s still looking for her lost son, Nathaniel, and she’s still taking it out on any child who crosses her path.
In this sequel, she sets her sights on a young boy named Edward, who has been rendered mute by the trauma of seeing his parents killed in the Blitz. It’s a dark setup. The ghost doesn't just want to kill him; she wants to replace the mother he lost.
- The Hero: Eve Parkins, a teacher with a "secret" past (she was forced to give up her own child).
- The Love Interest: Harry Burnstow (Jeremy Irvine), a pilot who is dealing with his own "cowardice" and PTSD.
- The Conflict: Jennet lures the kids into "accidents"—like walking into the sea or suffocating in a nursery—while Eve tries to figure out how to stop a curse that, frankly, can’t be stopped.
What went wrong with the reception
If the atmosphere was so good, why did critics hate it?
One word: predictability.
By the time The Woman in Black 2 came out in early 2015, the "quiet-quiet-LOUD" formula of modern horror was starting to wear thin. You’ve seen the rocking chairs move. You’ve seen the creepy dolls. You’ve seen the face in the window. The movie relies heavily on these tropes.
Also, the logic gets a bit wonky. Why does Eve decide to hide in an airfield instead of just, I don't know, getting on a train and never looking back? Characters in horror movies often make "movie choices" rather than "people choices," and this sequel is a prime offender.
There's also the "explanation" problem. In the first film, the mystery of Jennet Humfrye was terrifying because we were learning it along with Arthur Kipps. In the sequel, the audience already knows who she is and what she wants. We’re just waiting for the characters on screen to catch up to us. That makes the first 45 minutes feel a bit like a lecture we've already attended.
The "Angel of Death" title explained
A lot of fans were confused by the subtitle. Is the ghost the Angel of Death?
Not really. The title refers more to the context of the war. During the Blitz, death was coming from the sky (the "angels" of the RAF and the Luftwaffe). The film tries to draw a parallel between the impersonal death of the bombings and the very personal, targeted death brought by Jennet Humfrye.
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It’s a bit high-concept for a PG-13 jump-scare flick, but you have to appreciate that they tried to add layers. There’s a scene involving a "decoy" airfield made of wood and canvas that is genuinely clever. It’s a metaphor for the masks the characters wear—Harry isn't the brave pilot he seems to be, and Eve isn't just a simple teacher.
Production facts you might have missed
- Adrian Rawlins, who plays Dr. Rhodes in this movie, actually played the lead role (Arthur Kidd) in the original 1989 TV movie version of The Woman in Black. It’s a neat little Easter egg for hardcore horror fans.
- The movie was produced by Hammer Films. This was part of their big relaunch, following the massive success of the first film, which made $129 million on a tiny budget.
- The budget for the sequel was around $15 million. It made about $49 million worldwide. While that’s a profit, it was a huge drop from the first one. This is likely why we haven't seen a Woman in Black 3.
Is it worth a rewatch in 2026?
Honestly, yeah. If you ignore the critics and look at it as a standalone wartime ghost story, it’s better than the average "Part 2."
The performances are actually quite strong. Phoebe Fox is a great lead, and the late Helen McCrory (who many know as Polly Gray from Peaky Blinders or Narcissa Malfoy) brings a lot of gravitas to a role that could have been a cardboard cutout.
It’s also surprisingly bleak. Most modern horror movies want to give you a "win" at the end. Without spoiling the final frames, let's just say the Woman in Black doesn't exactly retire. She’s a force of nature, and the movie respects that.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning to dive back into the Eel Marsh House lore, here’s how to get the most out of it:
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- Watch the 1989 Version First: Before you rewatch the sequel, find the 1989 British TV movie. It’s much slower and relies on psychological dread rather than jump scares. It will give you a deeper appreciation for the "rules" of the ghost.
- Look for the Visual Metaphors: On a second watch, pay attention to the use of glass and reflections. The director hides the Woman in Black in the background of several shots where she isn't the focus of a jump scare. It makes the whole experience much creepier.
- Read the "Sequel" Book: Susan Hill didn't write a full novel for this, but Martyn Waites wrote a novelization based on the screenplay. It fleshes out the backstories of the children and the teachers much more than the 98-minute runtime allows.
- Double Feature it with 'The Others': If you like the wartime atmosphere and the "creepy house with kids" vibe, The Woman in Black 2 pairs perfectly with Nicole Kidman’s The Others. They deal with very similar themes of grief and motherhood during conflict.
The Woman in Black 2 isn't a masterpiece, but it’s a solid entry in the gothic horror genre that deserves a bit more credit for its atmosphere and its willingness to be genuinely depressing. Just don't expect a happy ending. Jennet Humfrye doesn't do happy endings.