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The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 98 min · English
JustWatch #20,193 7
Directed by
Tom Harper
Starring
Jeremy Irvine, Helen McCrory, Oaklee Pendergast, Leanne Best, Phoebe Fox

Following the devastation of World War II, a group of orphaned children are sent to live at the isolated Eel Marsh House. However, their arrival disturbs the vengeful spirit of the Woman in Black, who has remained dormant for decades. As the children become entangled in a terrifying supernatural presence, the line between reality and nightmare dissolves, plunging them into a harrowing ordeal of fear and despair.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015)

Where can you watch The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Eve Parkins

    Eve is a dedicated educator who embarks on a journey filled with supernatural horrors. She grapples with her traumatic past and the loss of her child, which manifests in haunting nightmares. As the story unfolds, her strength and determination emerge as she confronts both the ghosts of her past and the malevolent spirit of the Woman in Black.

    • 👩‍🏫 Educator
    • 🥺 Trauma
    • 🦸‍♀️ Resilience
  • Harry Burnstow

    played by Jeremy Irvine

    Harry is a charismatic RAF pilot whose charm captures Eve's attention during their train journey. He carries the burdens of war and past trauma, particularly the guilt of surviving a plane crash. His bravery ultimately leads him to sacrifice himself to save Eve and Edward from the clutches of the vengeful spirits.

    • ✈️ Pilot
    • 🦸 Heroism
    • 💔 Guilt
  • Jean Hogg

    The imposing headmistress of the school, Jean is a no-nonsense figure who accompanies Eve on the ill-fated journey. Her authoritative nature brings an air of discipline, but she is ultimately caught in the chaos that ensues as they confront the supernatural forces in their midst.

    • 👩‍🏫 Authority
    • 🌪️ Chaos
    • 💼 Leadership
  • Jacob

    Jacob is a man driven to madness by the haunting spirits of Eel Marsh House. His presence adds to the eerie atmosphere of the village, serving as a warning to the others about the sinister happenings that lurk within. He embodies the fragility of the human mind when faced with overwhelming grief.

    • 😔 Madness
    • 🏚️ Haunting
    • ⚠️ Warning
  • Edward

    One of Eve's pupils, Edward grapples with dark influences that manifest through his tragic attachment to a decaying doll. He becomes a pivotal character as Eve seeks to protect him from the pervasive evil surrounding them. His emotional struggle highlights the innocence of children caught in terrifying circumstances.

    • 👶 Innocence
    • 🪆 Doll
    • 😱 Darkness

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:39

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Setting

Where and When Does The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death Take Place?

The setting of The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

World War II

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film evokes a sense of dread and uncertainty. This tumultuous period is marked by the constant threat of war and showcases the struggles faced by both the characters and society as a whole. The haunting story intertwines with the chaos of the era, amplifying the emotional stakes.

Location

London, Crythin Gifford, Eel Marsh House

The film takes place in London and the eerie village of Crythin Gifford. Eel Marsh House, an isolated mansion, is a key location imbued with a haunting presence. The marshy surroundings add to the sense of desolation and mystery, serving as a backdrop for the supernatural events that unfold.

  • 🏡 Eel Marsh House
  • 🌊 Marshland
  • 🏙️ London

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:39

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3 major themes

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Supernatural Horror

    The story is driven by the theme of supernatural horror, as characters grapple with the terrifying presence of the Woman in Black. The haunting serves as a metaphor for past regrets and unresolved issues, tormenting Eve Parkins as she confronts her own guilt and the tragic history of the spirits seeking vengeance.

  • Loss and Regret

    Loss and regret are central themes that permeate the narrative, with Eve's past choices haunting her throughout the film. The emotional turmoil stemming from her decision to give up her child manifests in chilling encounters, symbolizing the weight of unresolved grief that affects decisions and relationships.

  • Cycles of Tragedy

    The movie explores the theme of cyclical tragedy, evident in the spectral presence that ensnares the living based on past wrongdoings. The history of Jennet Humpfrye and her child Nathaniel serves as a cautionary tale, revealing how unresolved pain can perpetuate suffering across generations.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:39

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Character & theme questions

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Eel Marsh House located in the film?

Eel Marsh House is an isolated mansion situated in the remote village of Crythin Gifford, surrounded by vast marshland. The house serves as the primary setting where the supernatural events unfold, with its isolation and bleak surroundings amplifying the story's atmosphere of dread and desolation.

  • eel marsh house
  • crythin gifford
  • location
  • setting
  • haunted house
Q2

When does the movie take place?

The film is set during World War II, specifically in the aftermath of the devastation caused by the war. This historical context adds to the film's atmosphere of uncertainty and loss, with the characters already coping with the trauma of wartime before encountering the supernatural threat.

  • world war 2
  • time period
  • 1940s
  • historical setting
Q3

Why is Eel Marsh House significant to the story?

Eel Marsh House is central to the film's horror elements as it is imbued with a haunting presence tied to the vengeful spirit of the Woman in Black. The house has remained dormant for decades until the arrival of the children disturbs the malevolent entity, making it a nexus for supernatural activity.

  • eel marsh house
  • haunted mansion
  • supernatural location
Q4

Who is the Woman in Black in the sequel?

The Woman in Black is the vengeful spirit of Jennet Humpfrye, who seeking vengeance after the death of her child Nathaniel. Her spectral presence has haunted Eel Marsh House for decades, tormenting those who enter her domain and ensnaring them based on past wrongdoings.

  • woman in black
  • jennet humpfrye
  • ghost
  • supernatural entity
  • villain
Q5

Who is Eve Parkins and what is her role?

Eve Parkins is a dedicated educator who accompanies a group of orphaned children to Eel Marsh House. She carries deep emotional baggage from her past, having given up her own child, which manifests as haunting nightmares throughout the film. Her journey involves confronting both her personal trauma and the malevolent spirit of the Woman in Black.

  • eve parkins
  • protagonist
  • teacher
  • main character
Q6

Who is Harry Burnstow and what happens to him?

Harry Burnstow is a charismatic RAF pilot who meets Eve during a train journey. He carries guilt from surviving a plane crash while others did not. His character arc culminates in a sacrificial act where he saves Eve and Edward from the vengeful spirits, marking him as a tragic hero figure in the story.

  • harry burnstow
  • raf pilot
  • love interest
  • sacrifice
Q7

How does loss and regret feature in the film?

Loss and regret are central themes, particularly through Eve Parkins, whose past decision to give up her child haunts her throughout the narrative. This emotional turmoil manifests in chilling supernatural encounters, symbolizing how unresolved grief can affect decisions and relationships.

  • loss
  • regret
  • grief
  • trauma
  • emotional themes
Q8

What does the theme of cyclical tragedy mean in the movie?

The film explores how unresolved pain perpetuates suffering across generations. The history of Jennet Humpfrye and her child Nathaniel serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating how past tragedies create spectral entities that continue to torment the living, creating an endless cycle of vengeance and loss.

  • cyclical tragedy
  • generations
  • past wrongs
  • causality
Q9

How does the World War II setting affect the story?

The WWII backdrop amplifies the film's sense of dread and uncertainty. The characters are already coping with wartime trauma, loss, and displacement before encountering the supernatural threat. This context deepens the emotional stakes and creates a pervasive atmosphere of despair that the horror elements build upon.

  • world war 2
  • wartime
  • historical context
  • trauma
Q10

What is the supernatural horror element in the film?

The supernatural horror centers on the terrifying presence of the Woman in Black, whose haunting serves as a metaphor for past regrets and unresolved issues. The spirit torments characters, particularly Eve, as she confronts both her own guilt and the vengeful ghosts seeking retribution for past wrongs.

  • supernatural horror
  • ghost
  • haunting
  • horror themes
Q11

Who is Edward and what is his significance?

Edward is one of Eve's young pupils who becomes emotionally attached to a decaying doll, reflecting dark influences surrounding him. He represents the innocence of children caught in terrifying circumstances and becomes a pivotal character as Eve seeks to protect him from the pervasive evil at Eel Marsh House.

  • edward
  • student
  • child character
  • doll
Q12

How does the marshland setting contribute to the film?

The marshland surrounding Eel Marsh House creates an atmosphere of desolation and isolation. The foggy, treacherous landscape separates the house from the village, reinforcing its status as a place cut off from the world and heightening the sense of vulnerability for the characters trapped there.

  • marshland
  • fog
  • atmosphere
  • isolation
  • setting

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Ghost stories rooted in trauma like The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death

Stories where supernatural terrors are intertwined with deep-seated human grief and loss. This collection features movies like The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death, where the supernatural horror is directly tied to themes of grief, wartime trauma, and survivor's guilt. If you liked the emotional depth and historical context of the haunting, you'll find similar chilling stories here.

  • eerie
  • oppressive
  • melancholic
  • haunting
  • desolate
  • anxious
  • Tone: dark, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: In this narrative pattern, characters are often forced to confront a haunted location or entity that is a physical embodiment of a historical or personal tragedy. Their journey involves uncovering a dark past while battling a supernatural threat, with their own emotional vulnerabilities making them particularly susceptible to the horror. The climax often involves a confrontation with the past, not just the ghost.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core premise: the supernatural event is a direct consequence of unresolved human suffering. The horror is not random; it is purposeful and tied to themes of vengeance, grief, and the lasting impact of trauma, creating a uniquely melancholic and heavy atmosphere.

Gothic horror in isolated mansions like The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death

Atmospheric tales of terror set in remote, decaying manor houses or estates. Discover movies similar to The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death that feature a classic gothic horror setting. If you enjoyed the claustrophobic terror of Eel Marsh House, you'll find more stories about remote, haunted estates where the building itself is a source of fear.

  • gothic
  • eerie
  • claustrophobic
  • atmospheric
  • suspenseful
  • decaying
  • Tone: dark, eerie
  • Pacing: steady, atmospheric
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows characters arriving at a remote location, cut off from help or easy escape. The story unfolds as they explore the secrets of the imposing structure, discovering a curse or ghost tied to its history. The setting creates a sense of claustrophobia and inevitability, as the characters' fates become intertwined with the house's dark legacy.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their use of a specific, atmospheric setting to generate fear. The focus is on a slow-building, eerie mood, where the environment is as threatening as the supernatural entity. The pacing is often steady, allowing the dread to seep in through the exploration of the haunting location.

Every angle

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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