A tale of love. A story of horror.

Rating: 8/10 (8 July 2008)

A methodical and immensely creepy debut film from Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona, 'The Orphanage' is a unique brand of horror that has much more to offer than that which goes bump in the night. Though not without its fair share of convention, this nightmarish tale will give you a hair-raising jolt that feels all too rare these days.
Produced by the visionary Guillermo del Toro, newcomer Bayona and screenwriter Sergio Sanchez follow in Guillermo's footsteps as they mix in elements of the supernatural in order to tell a deeply human story of love and loss. 'The Orphanage' follows a woman who returns to the orphanage she grew up in to reopen it to a new set of kids who need special attention. Yet after her own child begins to make imaginary friends of his own, what starts out as a seemingly innocent fantasy becomes an all too real and hellish nightmare for one mother.
All that you've heard about this spooky ghost story is probably true. It is at times so intense and terrifying that you will be paralyzed with fear. But like so many other films of the genre that place cheap thrills above all else, 'The Orphanage' is deliberate in the way it gradually sets the mood and builds tension. The atmosphere becomes overwhelmingly thick with dread and anticipation. The orphanage, which during the day breathes with life and coziness, transforms into a dark and menacing being once the darkness takes over. These wonderful set designs and brooding cinematography help build the atmosphere and sense of fear so that when 'The Orphanage' does deliver the goods, it's all you can do to keep yourself from screaming in fright.
Beyond the thrills and threatening aura, there's an undeniably tragic and heartbreaking story about a desperate mother who will stop at nothing to find her son. When others around her persuade her to think rationally, the wonderful Belen Rueda embraces the fantastic and supernatural. It is these leaps of faith that provides some of the film's most climactic and spine-tingling moments, and it's clear that Bayona cares deeply for these film's characters. And although many elements of the story are familiar, there's an air of unpredictably that will keep you guessing into the very end. And when that finale arrives in a very unconventional fashion, you'll gasp.
This isn't a light movie to be forgotten, it's hard-hitting to the core. Thick with thrills and deep with human emotion, 'The Orphanage' will intoxicate you with so many disturbing elements coming at you from all directions. A great directorial debut and wonderfully poignant tale of cope.
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