El orfanato (2007)

A woman brings her family back to her childhood home, which used to be an orphanage for handicapped children. Before long, her son starts to communicate with an invisible new friend.

Director:

J.A. Bayona

Writer:

Sergio G. Sánchez (screenplay)

Stars:

Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep

34 wins & 36 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Belén Rueda	...	Laura
Fernando Cayo	...	Carlos
Roger Príncep	...	Simón
Mabel Rivera	...	Pilar
Montserrat Carulla	...	Benigna
Andrés Gertrúdix	...	Enrique
Edgar Vivar	...	Prof. Leo Bálaban
Óscar Casas	...	Tomás
Mireia Renau	...	Laura niña
Georgina Avellaneda	...	Rita
Carla Gordillo	...	Martín
Alejandro Camps	...	Víctor
Carmen López	...	Alicia
Óscar Lara	...	Guillermo
Geraldine Chaplin	...	Aurora

Storyline

Laura, a former orphan, raises her adopted son Simón together with her husband Carlos in an old house and former orphanage where she was raised. While at the orphanage Simón tells Laura that he has five invisible friends which she believes are a product of his active imagination. Laura decides to reopen the orphanage to cater for disabled children and throws a party. During the party Simón tries to persuade Laura to go and take a look at his friends cabin but she's too busy. Later on she sees a mysterious masked boy and realizes that Simón has also disappeared. Laura feels the presence of other people in the house and months later Laura invites a team of parapsychologists to try to unravel the mystery.

---

Plot Keywords:

orphanage | orphan | dead children | ghost | missing child | 

---

Taglines:

Och barnen fortsätter att leka... (And the children continues their game, the children continues to play)

---

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

18A

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [United States]

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

11 October 2007 (Spain)

Also Known As:

The Orphanage

Filming Locations:

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£329,009 (UK) (21 March 2008)

Gross:

£1,480,257 (UK) (11 April 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Esta Vivo! Laboratorio de Nuevos Talentos, Grupo Rodar, Rodar y Rodar Cine y Televisión

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it received a 10 minute standing ovation.

---

Goofs

After Laura is in the shed outside the house and she finds Benigna with a shovel hiding, and after Laura then tells Carlos to come down and check again with her, Carlos' torch shines onto the camera several times, and the reflection of the camera and the torch is in the background on the window.

---

Crazy Credits

Pieces of wallpaper are peeled off to reveal each of the opening credits.

---

Connections

Referenced in A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss: The American Scream (2010)

User Reviews

absolutely incredible

I saw this at the Frightfest and its AMAZING, did the previous reviewer even see it? No real shocks!!, I've never seen a cinema jump like the audience at Frightfest for this film. I'm kind of tempted to name the shocks but I wont. Its such a stunningly made film, creepy, atmospheric, shocking, great story, beautifully directed, the main woman is incredible. I was never really sure if it was supernatural or psychological, but as it reveals...wow, its excellent. Its so well done I cant write more without giving stuff away, but go and see it. I was expecting a low rent " pan's Labyrinth " but I think it might be even better than PL, though very different. Best film i've seen in ages