An Amazing and riveting horror experience that still manages to throw a real twist into the mix

Rating: 9/10 (24 August 2009)

Orphan looked good. Predictable probably but good. My expectations were decent but who knew the film would blow them away. This is probably the best horror film I have seen in a very long time, this year probably. The story is mature and intelligent and so incredibly suspenseful that you will never tear your eyes away. The gore is not used gratuitously but the death scenes are nonetheless terrifying and the performance in the film are outstanding lead by a little girl that under different circumstances deserves an Academy Award in my opinion. Orphan actually turns in a rather unique story with some obvious familiar tones but every film does that, some better than others. The movie will give you a throwback to The Good Son with Macaulay Culkin, Children of The Corn and so forth but the greatness of the performances outweighs any and all familiarity. We may have some great future talent in new writers Alex Mace and David Johnson. Horror might be easy to write but to truly create an experience that will haunt, terrify and horrify, especially nowadays that requires a certain amount of talent.
That talent probably owes a huge amount to the twelve year old little girl I mentioned earlier. Isabelle Fuhrman is literally mind blowing as the mentally deranged, secretive Esther. Her dark brooding eyes go from compassionate to killer in seconds and she makes it so believable and you will literally fear this strange little girl. She has probably created one of the most memorable horror killers in movie history and might not even know it. This little girl has a promising career ahead of her because her performance will chill you to the bone. A particularly disturbing scene has her melting down in a bathroom stall and it will send chills through your body. Vera Farmiga gives a powerful performance as the grieving mother who is recovering from the loss of her baby. She is also the one to slowly realize Esther's issues. Farmiga is terrific and a great scream queen but in a far more intelligent way along the lines of Jamie Lee Curtis and that is a great comparison to be made. Peter Sarsgaard is excellent as the perfect macho male, sexy, the perfect father, understanding, hard working but oblivious to Esther. His chemistry with Farmiga is excellent and their scenes together are perfect. Young Jimmy Bennett and lovely little Aryana Engineer (who as in the movie is deaf in real life) play the other children in the family. Both of them give excellent performances and play opposite Fuhrman expertly. As good as she is these two hold their own and manage to really stand out.
This cast works so well together with a script that is brilliantly written. This is one of those rare gems that everything just falls into place and blows your mind. Director Jaume Collet-Serra obviously has a talent for horror story telling. Despite being critically and box office panned the House of Wax remake was a great teen horror flick and he seems to have a passion for horror and make us want more. Right away, as an enormous horror fan, the sheer ideas and potential for an Orphan series started to branch in my mind. While it is likely that none of them would ever see the full greatness of the original it would be just incredible to watch. Horror fans pay attention because this might be one of the greatest films of the year and absolutely one of my favorite horror films as of right now. Go see it NOW!! The incredible ending will blow your mind, you will absolutely, unequivocally NEVER see it coming. 9/10