Orphan (2009)
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Duration: 123 minuten
Alternative title: Orphan Esther
Country:
United States / Canada / Germany
Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Stars: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard and Isabelle Fuhrman
IMDb score:
7,0 (279.290)
Releasedate: 24 July 2009
Orphan plot
"There's something wrong with Esther."
The tragic loss of their unborn child has deeply moved Kate and John. Both their marriage and Kate's fragile psyche suffer as she is plagued by nightmares and demons from her past. The couple does everything they can to get a normal life again and decide to adopt a child. At the local orphanage, John and Kate are attracted to a young girl named Esther. However, soon after returning home, a series of events takes place that causes Kate to believe that something is wrong with Esther.
Actors and actresses
Kate Coleman
John Coleman
Esther
Sister Abigail
Max Coleman
Daniel Coleman
Dr. Browning
Dr. Värava
Grandma Barbara
Brenda
Reviews & comments
Alathir
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- 2150 messages
- 1650 votes
Nice thriller. This is one of those movies with a good suspense. I don't really have much to add to your review, Kondoro0614. What I do want to say is that the set-up is well put together. The youngest daughter Max can't talk , although she can communicate with sign language. That's why I'm a bit bored that she hasn't dared to say anything earlier about Esther's murderous tendencies. Esther did threaten her, of course, so that was neatly resolved in the story as well as very easily. Especially when Kate asks both of her children if Esther has done bad things or hurt them, they both deny it. The son is kind of portrayed as a scarecrow, whatever he is, who Esther can't stand at all. Of course he has his reasons for that and he is right. So whether he would say something or not, no one would believe him immediately
The worst (most unbelievable) thing I think is that the father is so naive that he only realizes what's going on at the very last and then because Esther wanted to hit him. This is of course also nicely solved story-wise because there is little confidence after Kate's drunkenness and his adultery. Other than that I don't really have much to say about the story of the film, which in the end couldn't have been much better (I think).
Just a great movie.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Collins
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- 7497 messages
- 4465 votes
Exciting and half an hour too long.
Good story building. From an emotional start to a stable situation and via subtle additions to a terrifying situation.
Those subtle additions do it for me. The family members have their weaknesses and their secrets. From mild to intense. The orphan soon turns out to be an excellent manipulator. In the course of the film, a lot of nasty things from the past come to light for the characters that are shamelessly used by the orphan. She sows a little doubt here and reaps some mistrust there. Excitingly embedded in the story, the viewer is as it were pulled along on the ever-growing bubble of shame and hopeless entanglement in which the family members end up. Psychological horror at its best.
In between a few jumpscares and a few mean looks from the orphan and the creepy atmosphere is complete. Exciting. Exciting. How creepy can Isabelle Fuhrman look, by the way?
And so it goes very well with the film. Until about 90 minutes away. Then suddenly saturation sets in. The length of the film takes revenge. It's just a bit too much hassle before the final phase is started. Just a little too stretched. Just a few niggles too much. There the film loses a lot of tension and creepiness.
The final final phase with some twists and narrow escapes is again very acceptable, but unfortunately does not bring the film back to the previous level. Bit too predictable. That's a pity.
But man, that Isabelle Fuhrman can look creepy.
Translated from Dutch · View original
maxroelofs
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- 2838 messages
- 1659 votes
Strongly above average horror/thriller that regularly goes off the rails in the second half. Too bad, because this had the potential to become one of my favorite movies.
Things where the film goes off the rails:
1. It is credible that the father does not believe his wife for a long time. However, after she arrives with data from a psychiatric institution, the blinders have to recede a bit .. Too bad because it loses a bit of credibility.
2. After mother takes Esther out and she lies between the plants, she simply leaves the place with her daughter. In any case, make sure you really take Esther out..
The film also does a lot of good, especially the first hour and the plot twist.
3.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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