Review of Orphan (2009) by Jordan A — 11 Apr 2015

This is like a female version of the Omen, only without the demonic spiritual element. There's something very evil about children (when acted well) that forms the basis of a potentially good horror film and coupled with the Russian accent that this girl has, the bad ass factor is doubled.

Having lost their third baby in childbirth, a middle aged couple adopt Esther having taken to her young talents and excellent manners. Despite her not bonding with their only son, she does develop a very close relationship with their deaf daughter.

Being unique in her style, she attracts the wrong sort of attention at school, and soon looks to get revenge on anyone that belittles her. Her methods of punishment though are severe to say the least.

As one things lead to another, and Esther's mums suspicions arise, the lengths at which the new adoption will go to prevent being returned is extreme. Using her child like innocence and clever mind with adults, and by threatening those her own age, she pretty much gets her own way until the final scenes, where the one thing she does want, becomes unavailable.

Realisation that her plan has backfired and people begin to learn her secret, she sets out on a path of mass destruction to eliminate everyone in connection with her placement. The twists involved in the ending I did not see coming and albeit unlikely, they do explain a lot of the previous events.

It's very well acted by a cast containing many children in lead roles and the sinister setting created is wrong on so many levels. I wasn't expecting this to be half as good and I would definitely recommend it.

It's gory on occasions, but not over the top, and the concept takes centre stage at all times. You become so engrossed that at times I felt sorry for the child, before then wanting to bash her head in myself as the scenes progressed.

You also sympathise for the mother as her history of alcoholism means her husband and counsellor soon turn against her, opting to believe the manipulative child instead. It's debatable whether the ending is happy, but a film that makes you think afterwards is always a plus point (if you can piece the jigsaw together).

Not exactly wanting to rush straight to the adoption agency now but it certainly emphasises both the great, and extreme bad points of having kids.