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Orphan

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for Orphan R 2009 2h 3m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 163 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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Orphan

Orphan

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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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Critics Reviews

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Chuck Wilson Village Voice 07/06/2010
Decidedly amoral. Go to Full Review
Cliff Doerksen Chicago Reader 08/20/2009
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. Go to Full Review
David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) 08/12/2009
3/5
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. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 12
4/5
The trio of leads make this a tense and uncomfortable watch, with the ultimate reveal only adding absurdity into the experience. Go to Full Review
Joshua Ryan FandomWire 10/01/2024
9/10
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. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 05/20/2024
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Blake- N @PBSAniDom 22h Orphan is a bit of a mixed bag as a horror thriller. It builds a strong sense of tension early on, with a creepy atmosphere and a performance from Isabelle Fuhrman that stands out. The film does a good job setting up unease and mystery, making you question what is really going on. However, as it goes on, the story leans into more over-the-top twists that may not work for everyone. Some of the characters make frustrating decisions, and the film can feel a little excessive in its later moments. While the shocking elements are memorable, they also push the movie away from being truly grounded. Overall, it’s an interesting but uneven experience—effective in parts, but not consistently strong. A 6/10. See more Anthony H. @Hardy 6d This film is a very slow burn of intense suspense. The film is interesting but also quite boring until the end of the film. This movie really comes together in the final 30 minutes, and it’s a hectic 30 minutes. If you’re looking for something not too intense, this is a decent film with some good thrilling moments. See more Alan T @BleakPhilosopher Dec 1 A lot of fun, some stomach churning thrills, an astonishingly good performance by Isabel Fuhrman, an often-disgusting father, nearly hysterical mother, dubious plot points, jaw-dropping twist, A-list soundtrack and cinematography, I could go on. Just see it, but don't expect it to change your life. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 19 Yo this movie was kind of crazy. Finally something different nowadays. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Nov 4 A surprisingly good dark thriller with hints of horror thrown in. Plot is wacky but it’s enthralling throughout. Lots of plot holes but meh it stands up ok and has a decent ending all round. Watched on Amazon Prime. See more Gabe T. @Gabe18 Oct 31 Great movie with an insane plot twist! See more Read all reviews
Orphan

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Movie Info

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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