Orphan: Psycho-drama and horror for family fun

Rating: 8/10 (24 July 2009)

This was one of the best surprises in recent years. As horror stories go, I usually expect "more of the same". When seeing posters and trailers, I thought pretty much "more of the same". But I am glad to report, this was not "more of the same".
The story was extremely well written with twists and turns that easily kept my attention. I'll admit there were some pretty slow moments that made me think it had peaked out early, but I was wrong. Stay with the movie as it squeezes out the last of your disbelief. Just don't believe everything you see and your reward will be the unforeseeable twist. Even if you think they can't be serious, the explanation is justified and real.
I liked how the movie was done, almost seeming like "Damien" may have had a sister (btw, she was one "twisted sister"). At first feeling like a Brady Bunch movie gone bad, it soon became more like a docu-drama for discouraging adoption. While this movie could easily become competition for Psycho, Friday the 13th and The Omen I felt this movie was a lot smarter. I never expected the big twist. I certainly appreciated the explanation. Without the explanation, this would have been a major disappointment. Is it realistic? - I don't know. I only know I went in doubtful and came out a believer.
Again I loved the writing, the camera work, the twists, the suspenseful events. And even minor disappointments fit in extremely well. I have to say, I didn't like the final moments but you will have to just take that and do with it what you will.
While all the actors did very well, I think Isabelle Fuhrman had the biggest challenge and she pulled it off extremely well. She has "disturbing" down perfectly.
8 of 10