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IMDbPro

Orphan

  • 20092009
  • RR
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
218K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
114
28
Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she claims to be.
Play trailer2:33
14 Videos
99+ Photos
HorrorMysteryThriller
A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she appears.A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she appears.A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she appears.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
218K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
114
28
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jaume Collet-Serra
    • Writers
      • David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick(screenplay)
      • Alex Mace(story)
    • Stars
      • Vera Farmiga
      • Peter Sarsgaard
      • Isabelle Fuhrman
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jaume Collet-Serra
    • Writers
      • David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick(screenplay)
      • Alex Mace(story)
    • Stars
      • Vera Farmiga
      • Peter Sarsgaard
      • Isabelle Fuhrman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 619User reviews
    • 280Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 7 nominations

    Videos14

    Orphan
    Trailer 2:33
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    Clip 0:31
    Orphan
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    Clip 0:29
    Orphan
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    Interview 0:34
    Orphan
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    Interview 0:45
    Orphan

    Photos111

    Isabelle Fuhrman and Aryana Engineer in Orphan (2009)
    Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
    Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
    Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Jimmy Bennett, Isabelle Fuhrman, and Aryana Engineer in Orphan (2009)
    Vera Farmiga in Orphan (2009)
    Jaume Collet-Serra in Orphan (2009)
    CCH Pounder and Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
    Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, and Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
    Peter Sarsgaard and Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
    Vera Farmiga and Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
    Jaume Collet-Serra and Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan (2009)
    Peter Sarsgaard in Orphan (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vera Farmiga
    Vera Farmiga
    • Kate
    Peter Sarsgaard
    Peter Sarsgaard
    • John
    Isabelle Fuhrman
    Isabelle Fuhrman
    • Esther
    CCH Pounder
    CCH Pounder
    • Sister Abigail
    Jimmy Bennett
    Jimmy Bennett
    • Daniel
    Margo Martindale
    Margo Martindale
    • Dr. Browning
    Karel Roden
    Karel Roden
    • Dr. Varava
    Aryana Engineer
    Aryana Engineer
    • Max
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    • Grandma Barbara
    Jamie Young
    • Brenda
    Lorry Ayers
    Lorry Ayers
    • Joyce
    Brendan Wall
    • Detective
    Genelle Williams
    Genelle Williams
    • Sister Judith
    Mustafa Abdelkarim
    • Daniel's Friend
    Landon Norris
    Landon Norris
    • Daniel's Friend
    Julien Elia
    • Hospital Receptionist
    Leni Parker
    Leni Parker
    • Delivery Room Nurse
    Gemma James Smith
    • Teacher
    • Director
      • Jaume Collet-Serra
    • Writers
      • David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick(screenplay)
      • Alex Mace(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Isabelle Fuhrman auditioned for the part of Esther while wearing an old-fashioned dress and ribbons around her wrists and neck.
    • Goofs
      When Esther is introduced to her new class, she is holding a Nelson Spelling book. These books are not used in the United States, where the film is set; they are, however, used in Canada, where filming took place.
    • Quotes

      Esther: Please... don't let me die, Mommy!

      [holds knife behind her back, preparing to kill Kate]

      Kate Coleman: [pause] I'm *NOT* your *FUCKING MOMMY!*

      [she violently kicks Esther's head]

    • Crazy credits
      After the end title sequence, the rest of the credits are, among other things, smeared and splattered with fluorescent paint, lipstick kisses, and Esther's violent artwork. A small heart is also painted next to "John" (Peter Sarsgaard) in the cast list.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Adam Sandler/Peter Sarsgaard/Kate Voegele (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      The Glory of Love
      Written by Billy Hill

      Performed by Isabelle Fuhrman (uncredited)

    User reviews619

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Remarkably well-acted, darkly humorous, and effectively disturbing
    Dark, edgy, twisted, effective, clever, intense, and blackly comic - one of the best "evil child" films I've seen. It's brilliantly cast - Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard are top-notch as usual, but what really stood out where the natural performances director Jaume Collet- Serra was able to get from the child actors. Usually child actors are painful to watch, but 12- year-old Isabelle Fuhrman gives a terrifying, chilling performance that is worthy of praise. Aryana Engineer in her screen debut as the deaf little sister Max is adorable and almost steals the show in every scene. The stylish cinematography, editing, and sound are fantastic as well.

    I saw Orphan at a packed advance screening and the audience had a blast. Collet-Serra knows how to pull the strings and engage the audience, as they were screaming and laughing at all the right moments. There are plenty of fun and playful tension-relieving scenes, and several cathartic moments when the audience erupted into cheers. When the credits rolled the audience even applauded.

    The second showing I went to was just as receptive - the audience went nuts. They were collectively screaming, cheering, yelling at the screen, cringing, applauding, and enthusiastically welcoming the comic relief. One guy commented afterwards: "I never get scared by movies but that was the scariest movie I've ever seen." Audience participation for both screenings I went to were very high.

    The film improves upon second viewing, with the knowledge of the twist. I was able to focus more on details and clues, and the anticipation of my favorite scenes made for a much more rewarding experience. It's even more chilling and cathartic the second time around.

    It's far from perfect though - there are way too many predictable jump/false scares, with the soundtrack blaring to try to startle the viewer. The last part of the movie becomes a slasher flick replete with clichés and a one-liner. There is a talky scene where Esther reveals herself to her adoptive mother that is totally unneeded, as well as a crucial line regarding Danny, the older son, which really should've been cut. It's also a bit long at 2 hours - for an exploitative "B" movie this is unusual, although time is devoted to character development. Esther is multi-dimensional and even sympathetic at times - I would love to see a prequel based on her character.

    Orphan is definitely not for kids - aside from the "anti-adoption" angle, there is plenty of dangerous imitable behavior. The violence committed by and toward children is shocking, realistic, and brutal. This is a ballsy film that throws kids into horrific ordeals.

    It may be a "B" movie, but it's a damn good one that knows its audience. The basic idea is nothing new (except for the unexpected twist), but you knew that from the trailer and synopsis. If you were still interested or if you're a horror fan that is able to look past some clichés and logical jumps in exchange for horrific chills, you'll have a fun time. The phenomenal child performances alone are enough to recommend Orphan.
    helpful•232
    76
    • yfguitarist
    • Jul 22, 2009

    FAQ16

    • What is "Orphan" about?
    • Is "Orphan" based on a book?
    • Where does the story take place?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 24, 2009 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Germany
      • France
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • American Sign Language
      • Estonian
    • Also known as
      • The Orphan
    • Filming locations
      • Montréal, Québec, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Dark Castle Entertainment
      • Appian Way
      • Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $41,596,251
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,871,483
      • Jul 26, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $77,912,251
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 3 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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