Orphan
After losing their baby, a married couple adopt 9-year old Esther, who may not be as innocent as she seems.
- Released: 2009-07-24
- Runtime: 123 minutes
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thrillers
- Stars: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman, CCH Pounder, Jimmy Bennett, Margo Martindale, Karel Roden, Aryana Engineer, Rosemary Dunsmore, Jamie Young, Lorry Ayers, Brendan Wall, Genelle Williams, Mustafa Abdelkarim, Landon Norris, Julien Elia, Leni Parker, Gemma James Smith, Pia Ajango, Matthew Raudsepp, Sugith Varughese, Luis Oliva, Ferelith Young, Andrew Shaver
- Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Comments
- HafizhMaulana21 - 29 December 2022
Be careful with the child you adopted
A couple adopted a 9-year-old daughter. However, a series of strange events and caused the husband and wife to get an unexpected attack.
Orphan becamean incredible f ilm horror. Fromthe beginning of the film, we get such a strong sense and impression of horror. It dawns on us to feel the thrill of fear from this film. There are many scenes in which we are made to think as if there would be a sudden appearance. However, we are deceived and it is precisely the sudden appearance that comes at an unthinkable time. Orphan has a nice, dense story premise. The film has a slow tempo to give space in providing terror and strangeness that occurs in the house. Also by giving space to look deeper into the conflict they are facing. Scenes that are able to give a nuance and frightening. In addition to horror, the film also carries a powerful mystery story. The mysteries and oddities shown by Esther can be well performed in her roles and dialogues. - I_Ailurophile - 30 September 2022
Isabelle Fuhrman astounds in a fierce psychological horror-thriller
In all the time it's taken me to get around to watching this, the one aspect I concretely heard of with high praise was the performance of Isabelle Fuhrman. That reputation is no joke - only 12 years old at the time 'Orphan' was released, Fuhrman demonstrates the acting skill of someone much older. In a role that's very adult. It's not just that she exhibits range, nuance, physicality, and force of personality - she brings a stark intensity to Esther's coldest moments that's earnestly disturbing, a startling ferocity to the instances of most heightened emotions, yet also a disarming sweetness that's delectable for the contrast. As fine a film as this is generally, there can be no doubt that Fuhrman is a major contributor to its success; this is worth watching for her alone.
While Fuhrman represents the most substantial value here, she's not alone. David Leslie Johnson's screenplay is extraordinary in giving us characters with fabulous complexity. More than that: even as the audience is well aware of Esther's nature, the narrative and scene writing does a fantastic job of slowly building piece by piece the sinister tapestry of the girl's psychopathy; just as we think she can't go any further, she does. 'Orphan' carries wonderfully strong horror vibes not just in the wild danger Esther poses, and her violence, but in her manipulation, and the disintegrating effect she has on the health and especially the mental states of those around her. It's taut, harrowing, and thrilling, and distinctly horrifying at its best - while also cementing in early scenes that for as fearsome as Esther is, some of the most boorish of typical behavior of ordinary school age children really isn't that far removed.
I don't know if it needed to be two hours - the length could have been reined in a bit. Some of Jaume Collet-Serra's choices as director are also excessive, such as the way some shots are arranged, or the inclusion of multiple red herring moment, meant to raise suspense only to show us "oh, there's nothing here after all." Yet for as excellent as this is in every other regard, these considerations feel very minor. Though Fuhrman shines brightest of all the rest of the cast are no slouches; Vera Farmiga and Aryana Engineer certainly stand out. The stunt work is exceptional, with art direction, production design, and effects not far behind. While I tend to keep an eye out for it anyway, I think the costume design and hair and makeup work deserve special mention in this case, too. But again - there's very little in 'Orphan' that I think could be meaningfully criticized in the first place, as it's just that good.
Content warnings are perhaps necessary for animal cruelty, and violence with children involved, and of course strong violence broadly. These aside, personal preferences vary and this won't appeal to all comers. Yet even as I knew it was well regarded, and that I'd surely enjoy it, still I'm roundly impressed with this picture, and above all with Fuhrman. It can't be overstated what a phenomenal performance she gives, commanding a dazzling presence and skill set that exceeds her youth, and I hope she continues to enjoy a robust career. 'Orphan' is a jarring, compelling, greatly satisfying horror flick that remains well worth checking out if you have the chance, and I'm so very glad I finally did so myself.
