Orphan

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Orphan

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2h 3m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

163 Reviews

63%

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250,000+ Ratings

Devastated by the loss of their unborn baby, Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard) decide to adopt a child. At the orphanage, both feel drawn to a little girl (Isabelle Fuhrman) 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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Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

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Chuck Wilson

Village Voice

Decidedly amoral.

Jul 6, 2010

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David Stratton

The Australian

Collet-Serra's film succeeds in being genuinely creepy, is commendably well acted by all concerned, and contains the best twist since The Crying Game.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 21, 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

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Rui C

Interesting concept, some noticeable flaws. Worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

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Bill C

It’s not a very good movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

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Audience Member

do I even need to explain ?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/24

Full Review

Daniel S

Jaume Collet-Serra's *Orphan* revisits familiar territory with a fresh twist on the classic "evil child" narrative seen in *The Bad Seed*, *The Good Son*, and *The Omen*. Despite the echoes of its predecessors, *Orphan* stands out with its unique surprises and unexpected originality, particularly regarding Esther's secret. While it may not surpass those iconic films, *Orphan* is a notable improvement over more recent attempts like *Joshua*—another film starring Vera Farmiga in a similar motherly role. Don't be misled by the trailer into thinking this is just another generic horror flick; *Orphan* offers much more depth and intrigue. Both my audience and I found it to be one of the more compelling horror films in recent times.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/24

Full Review

Colin M

An orphan child with an unknown past is adopted by an American family. Disturbing horror tale.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/09/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Middle horror movie with an unbelievable performance from a girl that is way too young g to play such a dark character.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

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 (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard) decide to adopt a child. At the orphanage, both feel drawn to a little girl (Isabelle Fuhrman) 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: Dark Castle Entertainment, Appian Way
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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