Orphan (2009)
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Orphan is a film that I wasn't particularly interested in at first. The whole theme of the film has been done several times in the past and this particular premise seemed entirely too similar to 1993's The Good Son starring Macaulay Culkin and Elijah Wood. It wasn't until the movie actually started getting positive reviews that I became interested. Sadly around this time the film's clever ending was spoiled to me, so I wasn't able to enjoy the climax as much as I wanted. Either way, I still enjoyed the flick enough to pick it up on blu-ray when it was released.
The story follows a married couple who are in the process of adopting a new child for their home. Although already the parents of two children, they hope that the new addition to the family will fill in the gap of the child that could've been. Apparently the mother (Vera Farmiga) lost their third child during the pregnancy and haven't quite gotten over the incident. So, in comes little Esther -- a seemingly intelligent and well mannered girl, whom the two take a liking to right away. However, we soon learn that Esther isn't as nice as she seems to be...
As I said before, I really liked this flick, and would even go as far as to say that it's probably one of the better "killer-kid" flicks to come out of the genre. To top things off, the movie is actually quite violent, as the filmmakers opted to not hold back on the blood and sometimes shocking violent deaths, especially when it's coming from a little girl. Much like with other movies within the particular sub-genre, a lot of manipulation and disbelief is apparent with key characters in the pic. Namely, the mother, who suspects Esther of being a troubled child fairly early on. Of 
course, the dad is pretty much left in the dark until towards the end.
By the time the film nears its climax, things really kick into high gear and our little Esther goes into full kill mode; as if she were some sort of Chucky/Jason Voorhees hybrid. Craziness! But damned if it wasn't entertaining!
This is one of those rare occasions where a known sub-genre is taken to new heights by a clever script and talented director. Orphan doesn't skimp on the blood and even offers some fairly shocking violence (coming from a little girl that is). The movie keeps at a solid pace throughout, and delivers a great climax, which even I never would have guessed early on (had I not already known the ending). Worth a check if you're into killer-kid flicks or if you're just looking for a solid genre effort.
| Posted on November 8, 2009 - 11:57pm | FrighT MasteR |
Dates are tentative and subject to change.
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, February 17, 2012
- Tue, February 21, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 28, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 28, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 2, 2012 (VOD)
- Tue, March 6, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 9, 2012
- Sat, March 17, 2012 (SyFy)
- Tue, March 20, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 30, 2012
- Tue, April 3, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 6, 2012 (Limited)
- Tue, April 10, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 13, 2012 (Chiller)
- Fri, April 13, 2012
- Tue, April 17, 2012
- Tue, April 17, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, April 17, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 20, 2012 (Limited)
- Fri, April 20, 2012
- Tue, April 24, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, April 24, 2012
- Fri, April 27, 2012
- Fri, April 27, 2012
- Fri, May 4, 2012 (VOD)
- Fri, May 11, 2012
- Fri, June 8, 2012
- Tue, June 12, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, June 22, 2012
- Fri, August 17, 2012
- Fri, August 24, 2012
- Fri, August 24, 2012
- Fri, August 31, 2012
- Fri, August 31, 2012
- Fri, September 14, 2012
- Fri, September 21, 2012
- Fri, October 5, 2012
- Fri, October 19, 2012
- Fri, October 26, 2012
- Fri, December 21, 2012
- Fri, January 11, 2013
- Fri, February 1, 2013
- Fri, February 15, 2013
- Fri, February 22, 2013
- Fri, April 12, 2013
- Fri, May 10, 2013
- Fri, June 28, 2013
I saw this movie to me I LOVED IT actually like my favorite movie now but I think they should of used the alternate ending I would of loved to see "Esther" go to another family
the ending is truly awsome my favorite part is "I'm not your FUCKING MOMMY!!!!!"
I agree with the fright master 100%. I knew before I saw the movie that it was gonna be like The Good Son. I heard positive review and I was hooked I knew I had to see it. I thought they did better with the sub genre then the good son. The parents in the movie where cliche', I saw that within the first 30-45 minutes. The kill list was obvious once things got into gear. The jaw dropper for me though was the what you find out about eshter at the end, it just blew my mind. I just thought she had some daddy issues but its a little deeper then that. Overall great movie. The build up was perfect, the movie didn't skip a beat. Though I was hoping for a slightly different ending but knew what was gonna happen. 2 thumbs up!
The onething that I do agree with is the acting. All the kids did a great job. Even the def little girl who had to emot through nothing but facial features. The ending however, I saw coming from miles away. I won't spoil it for some by stating what it was but half way through the movie I said what I thought it would be to myself. I then laughed and said I hope that they were not that cheesey to do it. And well, they did it. It reminded me a lot of Sleepy Away Camp and Don't Look Now. Both movies have a twist where the girl is not who you think she is. I would say see it for the acting because the twist is shit.
Now this is what I call a fuc!king horror/thriller! It has great acting from everyone involved especially the children, it has a solid script and story, the kills were brutal when they happen, it has a few good jump scares and a great twist ending that I didn't see coming not even a little bit and it is probably the best twist that I've seen in a horror movie in a decade. This movie packs a punch and finally there is a horror movie that has some fuc!king balls other than some crap hollywood has been dishing out lately. It deserves all the credit and money it can get over all the watered down horror movies and remakes, so go out and see this movie ASAP! This horror movie was also well filmed and directed and has an excellent spooky atmosphere to add to all the greatness. Yes it has been done before and repeated but not as slick as this one in a long time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!
It wasn't a good movie for me. I really hate the mom, she was so anoying and the dad was very dull so i was frustrated most of the movie. The two little girls were awesome (i expect good things to come for these two in the future) and the diretion was pretty decent and violent. The problem with me is that i guessed the ending after the first 20 or 30 minutes and also there were some very predictable scenes and i was expecting something more interesting in terms of character development (except the two girls) and script but anyway i'm not saying that Fright Master is wrong, is just i didn't like the movie and maybe some people think the same too.
Nothing wrong with a difference in opinion
I bought that shit!
Day it came out, like Trick R' Treat. Love it, although the deleted scenes and alternate endings aren't much to be gracious about. Love the movie though.