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Orphan (2009)

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Time Out rating

Average user rating

15 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Spaniard Jaume Collet-Serra’s wickedly entertaining, if slightly over-stretched, variation on the familiar ‘evil child’ scenario displays an unusually complex grasp of twisted psychology. Rather than simply dumping a disruptive child into the heart of a happy family, it shows how grieving ex-alcoholic Kate (Vera Farmiga) and her architect husband John (Peter Saarsgard) – whose third child was stillborn – introduce a nine-year-old Russian orphan, Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman, right), into their nest. But the precocious Esther is more controlling than consoling, a fully fledged cuckoo who starts to manipulate both her adoptive parents and her siblings, younger daughter Max (Aryana Engineer) and older son Daniel (Jimmy Bennett). Whether ingratiating herself with the innocent, deaf Max by turning their sign language into a conspiratorial game, or exploiting the adults’ secrets, Esther knows which buttons to push.

Producer Joel Silver regularly specialises in routine horror remakes, such as Collet-Serra’s previous ‘House of Wax’. But here, courtesy of an insidious screenplay by David Leslie Johnson, we are in more disturbing territory. More of a psychological thriller than a horror movie, ‘Orphan’ does contain explosions of shocking, though not especially graphic, violence. More frightening by far, however, are the subtly vicious mind-games, as Esther drives a wedge between her parents by insinuating that Kate is unhinged. There’s also a killer twist that forces the audience to rethink everything they’ve seen.

Author: Nigel Floyd

Time Out London Issue 2033, 5 - 12 August, 2009

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User reviews of this film

Thomas Noctor said...

Posted on Dec 20 2009 03:57 For once we all agree, this is an excellent and very under rated film! In the same spirit as The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, this little twisted bitch tries to turn a family against each other and plays her cards well. By the way the lead character is the spitting image of Gillian Anderson! Great flick!

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critique said...

Posted on Aug 28 2009 11:44 Efficient horror.

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precious said...

Posted on Aug 23 2009 16:53 I saw this film at the vue cinema in shepeards bush. It was wicked but the ending could have been better, when is part two coming out.

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Siobhan said...

Posted on Aug 18 2009 14:07 i think that this was a very thrilling horror film that i really loved to watch,, i think the ending was very unpredictable and i think that this film was one of the best i have seen in a while,, definetley a muct see :)

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Matt said...

Posted on Aug 16 2009 16:58 Very good, and horrible, with sufficient restraint to engender a real sense of tension, this is a serious film, not just a gorefest.

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madison said...

Posted on Aug 16 2009 15:50 A entertaining horror movie which is at just the right level of scariness for people who handle 18 certificate horror films.

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Amy said...

Posted on Aug 14 2009 21:49 Ace film :D 10 out of 10 ! :)
And it's age 15 x

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shawnie said...

Posted on Aug 14 2009 21:18 what age is this film?

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xXLottieXx said...

Posted on Aug 13 2009 12:06 I don't even like horror films. . . and I thought this film was amazing! Some great jumpy moments, brilliant build up of tension throughout, awesome story line, fantastically portrayed by brilliant actors, great use of music, and an absolutely mind blowing twist at the end! I haven't seen a film combine child actors and horror - the end result being this good and refreshingly original - since Sixth Sense. Highly recommended!! P.S. DO NOT READ THE REVIEW OF 'flix' (below) IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING OF THIS FILM!!!

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Chloee said...

Posted on Aug 12 2009 23:11 i went to see this film with my bestnmate and it was really really good , keeps you at the end of your seat the whole way through ... the twist at the end is exelent ,,, 10 out of 10 :) x

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sam said...

Posted on Aug 12 2009 13:36 sik film loved it reccomended film to watch will havin u at the egde of ur seat the whole way thru has a comedy twist 2 it2 x

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Pete said...

Posted on Aug 11 2009 23:35 Dear kind parents beware who you let into the calm of your family home. Terrible danger befalls those who seek to offer love and care for Esther - she's not what she seems. Edgy plotting all the way through elevates this dark character play to original levels - a must see.

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the film r8er said...

Posted on Aug 10 2009 13:07 awsomesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

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Amy said...

Posted on Aug 08 2009 17:52 Orphan is a very well thought out film wich has you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole entire film. I do recomend this film as it is a guarenteed to entertain.

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on Aug 07 2009 22:19 Passes the time. However, there is not one single memorable scene in the whole of this film. Recommended for a rainy day.

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