Desperate for another child they can’t conceive on their own Kate (Farmiga) and her husband, John (Sarsgaard), adopt a “delightful” nine-year-old Russian orphan girl, Esther (Fuhrman). But after a string of disturbing events Kate cottons on to her new daughter’s devious ways and investigates her history. Turns out she’s not even close to who they believed she was.
Orphan is not your typical “creepy child” tale; strong performances in this film by the House of Wax director, the downright creepiness of the girl and the mother of all twists at the climax makes it worth watching to find out just what’s so very wrong with Esther. Bonus: additional scenes, alternative ending.
DVD: Orphan
Horror. 2009. 122 min. With Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard and Isabelle Fuhrman. Director: Jaume Collet-Serra. 16VL.
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Kim Van Reizig