Runs short on ideas and lacks atmosphere and suspense.

Rating: 5/10 (12 October 2008)

To say I'm disappointed with this film would be putting it lightly. For the last few months I've heard nothing but praise for The Orphanage and thus went into expecting to see something special, but what I got instead was just another slow burning ghost story without much in the way of interest. Guillermo del Toro has a production credit on this film; and it's a real shame that some of his creativity didn't rub off on director Juan Antonio Bayona, because The Orphanage has nothing on 2001's orphanage-set ghost story 'The Devil's Backbone'. As the title suggests, the bulk of this film takes place in an orphanage. Laura was raised there as an orphan, and has taken her husband and adopted son Simón to live in the orphanage where she grew up. The boy is HIV positive and has found himself five imaginary friends. Laura has decided to reopen the orphanage specifically for disabled children; but the opening day turns sour when her son begs his adopted mother to see something, but ends up being ignored
On the technical side, there's really nothing wrong with this film. It's very well shot and the directing is sound; it also features a capable (if slightly clichéd) lead performance from Belén Rueda. The problems are in the plot and execution as the simple fact is that it's just not interesting enough. Similar stories to this one have been told many times and anyone with even a passing interest in the horror genre is liable to have seen at least one comparable film. The film has practically no atmosphere either; the central house is too drab to be a horror location and we are never given the idea that any of the lead characters are in any sort of danger, which ensures that the film lacks suspense also. The Orphanage is not very visceral; although that shouldn't be a problem as it's to be expected in a ghost story; but that's not made up for in any way. The ghosts themselves bring a little atmosphere when they appear, but they're not 'horrific' and the film can hardly even be considered horror. Overall, The Orphanage is a big disappointment and anyone thinking of seeing it should think about not wasting their time and seeing The Devil's Backbone instead.