Authentic Gothic (but no masterpiece)

Rating: 8/10 (28 September 2010)

Don't be put off by its' rather trashy trailer. Despite some hackneyed narrative devices and implausible plot holes, "Orphan" is a well made and genuinely creepy film.
This movie gives the impression that director Collet-Serra and his team were attempting to create something of real value - and for the most part, they pulled it off. Watch out for some great performances - the step-mother (Vera Farmiga) is complex and believable, while Isabelle Fuhrman in the title role maintains a compelling menace throughout. Checkout the superbly detailed credit sequences and numerous intelligent nods to the Great Gothic Genre.
Overlook the patchy script and story inconsistencies. And, in fact, don't watch the trailer at all.