Chilling and tearful

Rating: 10/10 (22 March 2008)

I had read only one article about The Orphanage before going to the cinema (so as not to spoil it), and I knew straight away that it was going to exceed my expectations. I'm certainly not someone who loves horror movies and see them just to be scared. I like them to have depth and meaning,which this film had in bucket loads. As most great horror movies have had in the past, this is rooted in deep sadness, and the tears were rolling down my cheeks by the end of the film. I also think I have never jumped and shouted out loud in a public place so much while watching this. There is a slight element of The Others about this film, and also Pan's Labyrinth, reflecting the fact it was produced by the masterful Del Toro, but I feel the accolades should be handed to it's wonderful director, Juan Antonio Bayona, someone who Del Toro saw great potential in. On a side note, my experience of this film was severely destroyed by the fact that I was seated in front of some very stupid, immature, teenage girls who were trying to describe the film to their friend, over the phone, completely ruining the atmosphere...