'The Orphanage' Another Movie That Makes You Wonder Why Kids Are So Goddamn Creepy

Release Date: January 11, 2008 (USA)

Starring: Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Princep, Edgar Vivar

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona

Writer: Sergio G. Sanchez

MPAA Rating: Rated R for some disturbing content

Trailer


Official Movie Website

I'm back! I'm not dead! Halloween and its horrifying ghouls have not gotten to me yet! Sorry for the long wait on my next entry.


In light of Halloween, I'll be reviewing some of my favorite scary/horror films...and some not so good ones (see 'Devil').

Please do not confuse 'The Orphanage' with the crappy 2009 US film 'Orphan.'


'Orphan' = Crap.

'The Orphanage' is a 2007, Spanish film surrounding Laura's (Belen Rueda) family. Laura moves her husband (Fernando Cayo) and young son, Simon (Roger Princep), into a huge hoouse that used to be her orphanage when she was younger.

Laura plans to make the large home into a place for disabled children. Problems arise when Simon believes he has a masked friend, Tomas, living with them at the home.

Laura believes Simon is making up imaginary friends due to the move and thinks nothing of it at first. It is not until Simon disappears after an argument that Laura begins to wonder if there are spirits in her old home.

'The Orphanage' is a horror film with a great story. It reminds me of another film titled 'The Others' in the style and feel.

The story is quite melancholy and dark, as all horror films tend to be. However, there is also love shining through the film as a mother longs to find her child. I love horror films that have a bit of an emotional feel to it. As much as slasher films are amusing, I tend to be more attracted to human emotion-filled horror movies. I remember them much more easily that way, as long as they're good.


Make me cry, Jason. MAKE ME CRY!

The actors were believable and Belen Rueda did an excellent job in her role as the mother.
On the "scare meter" of the film, there are not too many jumping moments, save for one where it creeped the f*ck out of me. First time I saw 'The Orphanage,' I watched it on the computer and I had my face close to the screen the moment that happened. I responded correctly in freaking out with an increased heart rate.

So, if you want to be scared a lot while watching this, I wouldn't recommend this. This is a horror film all about story and content; not about young teenagers getting murdered for having sex in the woods.

Rent worthy? I'd definitely say this is worth watching once. I think it is available on Netflix for those of you who have it. If you do not, refer to my previous entry on the Pros & Cons of Netflix.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? If you enjoyed it as much as I did, then you might own it. No need to get it on Blu-ray quality; the DVD is good enough for 'The Orphanage.'

Keep on watchin'

The Little Critic