Orphan

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2:26

Orphan

R

Released Jul 24, 2009

2h 3m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

162 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Devastated by the loss of their unborn baby, Kate and John decide to adopt a child. At the orphanage, both feel drawn to a little girl named Esther and soon the couple take their new daughter home. But when a dangerous series of events unfolds, Kate begins to suspect that there is something evil lurking behind the child's angelic exterior.

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Critics Consensus

While it has moments of dark humor and the requisite scares, Orphan fails to build on its interesting premise and degenerates into a formulaic, sleazy horror/thriller.

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Chuck Wilson

Village Voice

Decidedly amoral.

Jul 6, 2010

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Cliff Doerksen

Chicago Reader

Director Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax) endows this ugly mess with a slew of unintentional laughs, but not enough to repay the 123-minute time suck.

Aug 20, 2009

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

One of the good things about ORPHAN, which is directed by Jaume Collet-Sera, is that it takes itself quite seriously and manages to bring a surprising level of originality to the potentially familiar material.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 12, 2009

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Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

It’s a film that has not only stood the test of time, but continues to evoke a visceral physical and emotional response. That is the sign of a fantastic horror film.

Rated: 9/10

Oct 1, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It’s The Bad Seed until it isn’t. It’s The Omen until it changes its mind. In other words, the twist ending alters everything to such a starling degree that it’s no wonder many folks dig this plot pirouette while just as many despise it.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 20, 2024

Full Review

Preston Barta

Fresh Fiction

A devilishly good time with great character work and solid tension-building. Isabelle Fuhrman is a dynamite talent!

May 17, 2024

Full Review

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Alejandra C

Plotwist!!! You will definitely likey likey. Its great.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

Full Review

Travis S.

Definitely wasn’t what I was expecting and absolutely loved it! As usual Vera Farmiga is amazing but that shouldn’t take away from the rest of the cast as they are just as good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

Emily K.

I love the plot twist in this film. The child actors are also very impressive in this movie, with disturbing things happening every seen the girl is in. I take this as a modern horror classic, and a great addition to the evil children sub-genre

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

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Harrie K

This movie is fun, creepy, awesome, and funny! I felt personally connected to all the characters which made everything so much better

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

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Gloria B

Horror Classic. A must see with comedy and crazy moments

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

Full Review

Abigail L

i saw this movie for the first time and didn't really like it but then i saw it again and its one of my favorite horror movies, Isabelle Fuhrman you go girl.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

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Jaume Collet-Serra

Director

Vera Farmiga

Kate

Peter Sarsgaard

John

Isabelle Fuhrman

Esther

CCH Pounder

Sister Abigail

Aryana Engineer

Max

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Orphan: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

Devastated by the loss of their unborn baby, Kate and John decide to adopt a child. At the orphanage, both feel drawn to a little girl named Esther and soon the couple take their new daughter home. But when a dangerous series of events unfolds, Kate begins to suspect that there is something evil lurking behind the child's angelic exterior.

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Producer: Joel Silver, Susan Downey, Erik Olsen, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Leonardo DiCaprio
Screenwriter: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Appian Way, Dark Castle Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Violent Content|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $41.6M
Runtime: 2h 3m

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