A Netflix original series with a long-winded name and an air of satirical mystery premiered early in 2022. “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window” centers on Anna, a divorcee paralyzed with grief, played expertly by Kristin Bell. Anna witnesses her neighbor being murdered and sets out to discover the truth, but due to her general state of despair (and her habit of mixing pills and alcohol,) she is often disbelieved. 

“The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window” is a parody of murder mysteries such as “The Woman in the Window” and “The Girl on the Train.” It exaggerates every frustrating trope present in this genre. Anna’s heartbreak is heavy-handed and her wine mom schtick is dull and overdone. Even the series’ lengthy title is a play on the typical titles of these books. Viewers looking for an enjoyable drama will be disappointed. 

As a satire, however, “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window” works exceptionally well. For viewers familiar with the genre, “The Woman in the House” twists and exaggerates tropes into something that’s adjacent to a comedy. It’s entertaining to follow Anna along on her quest for truth as both a surface level mystery and a commentary on said mystery stories and their inherent absurdity. 

Kristen Bell plays Anna with charm despite the melodrama of the script. Anna is an emotional mess for much of the series, but with Bell’s sincerity, the audience continues to root for her. The show utilizes Anna as an unreliable narrator due to her use of prescription drugs and alcohol, so the audience is never sure whether Anna’s memory is trustworthy until the end of the series. 

The other actors were archetypal characters: the well-meaning ex-husband, the overbearing yet kind friend, the annoying boss who wants you to move on from a tragedy and return to work. They played these roles well, if not memorably. But, as in the mystery novels “The Woman in the House” satirizes, Anna is indisputably our protagonist, and Kristin Bell steals the show. 

“The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window” is worth a watch for any viewers looking for an entertaining parody of mystery dramas.