Case 39

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Case 39

R

Released Oct 1, 2010

1h 49m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

22%

Tomatometer

74 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In her many years as a social worker, Emily Jenkins (Renée Zellweger) thinks she has seen it all -- until she meets 10-year-old Lilith (Jodelle Ferland) and the girl's cruel parents. When the parents try to harm the child, Emily assumes custody of Lilith while looking for a foster family. However, she soon finds that dark forces surround the seemingly innocent child, and the more she tries to protect Lilith, the more horrors she encounters.

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Critics Consensus

Director Christian Alvert has a certain stylish flair, but it's wasted on Case 39's frightless, unoriginal plot.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Almost identical to 2009's Orphan, Case 39 does little keep your attention as its riddled with cliches--menacing music, domino casualties, and predictable horror plotline.

Rated: C

Sep 9, 2017

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Neither so awful as to be enjoyable nor eerily artful enough to be anything other than a snoozy also-ran.

Rated: 1/5

Oct 9, 2010

Full Review

Ethan Gilsdorf

Boston Globe

It's a bummer when the audience is smarter than the protagonist.

Rated: 1.5/4

Oct 7, 2010

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

A few inspired performances still can't salvage this generic, repetitive supernatural experience.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 12, 2025

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In the realm of evil child movies such as, most recently, Orphan, the dull supernatural thriller Case 39 does a disservice to the sometimes entertaining horror subgenre.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 3, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

[Zellweger] looks downright miserable throughout.

Rated: 1/5

Oct 4, 2021

Full Review

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donnie m

i wouldn't have kept watching if Renee Zellweger (my favorite actress) wasn't in this-it's just too weird and s l o w and stupid

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

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Rachel K

This movie's all terrible!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

Full Review

Ralph R

Case 39 comes out of the gate with a solid setup and a pretty believable performance from Renée Zellweger as the social worker who just wants to help. The movie gives off that familiar “creepy kid” vibe right from the start, and Jodelle Ferland as Lilith really sells the role, mixing innocence with just enough weirdness to keep you watching. As the story moves along, you start to notice it’s not really breaking any new ground. The supernatural angle is there, but it never quite builds enough suspense or delivers that uncomfortable tension you want from this kind of horror. The pacing is a problem too, about halfway through you realize the movie is still circling the same plot points, and that slow burn never pays off the way you’d hope. On the technical side, production is decent and the cast does what they can, but you can feel the energy drop off as the movie goes on. Even seeing Bradley Cooper pop up doesn’t add much. Overall, Case 39 is an okay watch if you’re into horror with kids at the center, but it never really rises above being just another run-of-the-mill thriller.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/25

Full Review

Harrie K

Everyone over thinks this movie-and that’s not what this movie is for! It’s a fun horror that gets under your skin, and there’s no need to deep dive

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

Gloria B

Underrated! This movie got under my skin just how it’s supposed to

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

Full Review

Lieven R

I actually enjoyed this horror movie. I regularly watch horror movies and do not considder this a lesser one. I am surprised by its low rating. I loved the acting of Jodelle Ferland playing this spooky kid.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

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Christian Alvart

Director

Renée Zellweger

Emily Jenkins

Jodelle Ferland

Lillith Sullivan

Ian McShane

Detective Mike Barron

Bradley Cooper

Doug Ames

Kerry O'Malley

Margaret Sullivan

Case 39: Official Clip - You Silly Pumpkin Head

2:13

Case 39: Official Clip - Let Me In!

2:13

Case 39: Official Clip - Hornet Problem

2:13

Case 39: Official Clip - What Scares You?

2:01

Case 39: Official Clip - I Killed My Mom and Dad

2:03

Case 39: Official Clip - Just Die!

2:13

Case 39: Official Clip - In The Oven

2:13

Case 39: Official Clip - Why Emily?

1:25

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Synopsis

In her many years as a social worker, Emily Jenkins (Renée Zellweger) thinks she has seen it all -- until she meets 10-year-old Lilith (Jodelle Ferland) and the girl's cruel parents. When the parents try to harm the child, Emily assumes custody of Lilith while looking for a foster family. However, she soon finds that dark forces surround the seemingly innocent child, and the more she tries to protect Lilith, the more horrors she encounters.

Director: Christian Alvart
Producer: Steve Golin, Kevin Misher
Screenwriter: Ray Wright
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Misher Films, Anonymous Content
Rating: R (Violence and Terror|Disturbing Images)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 1, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.2M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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