By Gwen P. Galeza

Soul-sucking marshes, haunted houses and blazing fires are some of the key ingredients to a scary movie. How could it possibly go wrong?

Daniel Radcliffe’s new thriller, “The Woman in Black,” failed to compose these key elements together.

Based on a gothic novel by Susan Hill of the same name, the film had a few misses. It is set during the Edwardian Era and revolves around a widowed young lawyer and father, Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe).

When his boss requires him to head down to an Alcatraz-esque Eel Marsh estate near an isolated town to look at finances of the deceased Alice Drablow, Kipps stumbles upon the town’s hidden mysteries. He must solve their secrets in order to save, not only the residents, but also his son’s life.

Radcliffe delivered an astounding performance that somewhat saved the so-so plot of the film.

The first 20 minutes (possibly an exaggeration) introduced Kipps’s backstory with his wife dying during childbirth and a couple of awkward glances as he first arrives at the town.

His character exudes bravery when he enters the possessed house. And the whole time one has to ask, “What made him want to enter that home filled with all the signs of evil like the black grows, demonic toys and of course, the ever-so-cliche glances of the woman in the black cape?”

Directed by James Watkins, the plot fell short at one hour and 30 minutes and the ever so suspenseful ending delivered a big, “What!” from the audience.

This Hammer Film Production gothic movie didn’t exceed expectations, but it definitely showed Radcliffe’s ability to morph into another character other than the wizarding world hero.