The Orphanage

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1:58

The Orphanage

R

Released Jan 11, 2008

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

178 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Laura (Belén Rueda) has happy memories of her childhood in an orphanage. She convinces her husband to buy the place and help her convert it into a home for sick children. One day, her own adopted son, Simón (Roger Príncep), disappears. Simon is critically ill, and when he is still missing several months later, he is presumed dead. Grief-stricken Laura believes she hears spirits, who may or may not be trying to help her find the boy.

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Critics Consensus

Deeply unnerving and surprisingly poignant, The Orphanage is an atmospheric, beautifully crafted haunted house horror film that earns scares with a minimum of blood.

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Tasha Robinson

Polygon

A skillfully made heartbreaker.

Oct 20, 2021

Full Review

Katey Rich

CinemaBlend

Though The Orphanage sticks fairly closely to a genre fomat, and the plot twists become a little predictable, the film packs surprises all the way to the end.

Oct 14, 2014

Full Review

Eric Kohn

New York Press

Let the anticipation of Bayona's next move begin.

Oct 14, 2014

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

With a very well-constructed script and remarkable performances, The Orphanage impacts and maintains tension throughout making it clear that the ghosts in Spain come from within... [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 8/10

Jul 1, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Bayona approaches his story with patience and dread, reminding us why suspense relies on what we don’t see, the possibility, as opposed to immediately pulling the curtain back on blood and gore.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 21, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A deeply absorbing and heavily atmospheric yarn that offers several noteworthy plot spins.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 8, 2021

Full Review

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Alejandra C

This was one of the OGs and the fact that is not american makes it even more special because the hype was real. Its not as scary but the story is great and captivating. Direction also good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/05/25

Full Review

Wendel L

Direção: Ok Atuação: Bom Roteiro: Ok Caracterização: Ok Soundtrack: Ok

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

Peter F

Note: this is not a horror movie. This is a tedious, slow melodrama with a few weak scares here and there, to keep you awake. While nicely shot and decently acted, this is one of the movies you're waiting all the time to start to make sense, expecting that things will fall into place eventually and there will be a kind of aha-moment or catharsis. Well, on a logical level the story is explained by the end, only there is no satisfaction from knowing (it's underwhelming) and there is no emotional satisfaction either. So overall: good workmanship wasted on horribly a weak concept.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/03/24

Full Review

Kyle M

Certainly one of the well-told, spookiest ghost stories that’s quite haunting and refining to enthrall without ever being frightening albeit the atmospheric chills keeping up the wonder, unexpectedly seeping naturally aligning parallels as another grown up fairy tale with an unprecedented flow. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

Full Review

Julian S

“The Orphanage” is a masterfully crafted haunted house story that sends chills down your spine and leaves your heart in tatters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Emilliano Jr S

Clever, superb story telling.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

Full Review

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J. A. Bayona

Director

Belén Rueda

Laura

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The Orphanage: Trailer 1

1:58

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Synopsis

Laura (Belén Rueda) has happy memories of her childhood in an orphanage. She convinces her husband to buy the place and help her convert it into a home for sick children. One day, her own adopted son, Simón (Roger Príncep), disappears. Simon is critically ill, and when he is still missing several months later, he is presumed dead. Grief-stricken Laura believes she hears spirits, who may or may not be trying to help her find the boy.

Director: J. A. Bayona
Producer: Mar Targarona, Joaquín Padro, Álvaro Augustin
Screenwriter: Sergio G. Sánchez
Distributor: Picturehouse
Production Co: Telecinco Cinema, Rodar y Rodar Cine y Television
Rating: R (Some Disturbing Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror, Drama
Original Language: European Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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