 |
Orphanage: Subtitled/SpanishBacked by Guillermo del Toro and yet made by a surprisingly inexperienced group of film makers (especially considering the end result), The Orphanage is a chilling, tense supernatural thriller that could certainly teach more established directors a thing or two about how to send shivers down the spine.
It tells the story of a woman, Laura, returning to the orphanage where she was raised as a child. Her plans are to look after sick children there, but it doesn't take long for things to go awry. Without giving too much away, visions from her past and a threat to her own family are the starting points for a complex and quite haunting thriller, that stays in the mind long after the credits have rolled. A film that works on more than one level, The Orphanage really is some piece of work. Juan Antonia Bayona, behind the camera, generates an incredibly atmospheric mood that underpins the film, and wisely takes time to put pieces in place. He's aided by a terrific cast, and an unsettling screenplay that layers in an uneasy horror that's as anti-Hollywood as it comes. The result of all of this is one of the scariest films of recent times, and yet something that still manages to be that little bit more, that sticks in your mind for some time afterwards. Make no mistake, The Orphanage really is something different, and all the better for it. --Jon Foster |
Average User Rating: 80% (9 Reviews) | |
| 5 / 5 | Creeping, undefined dread
Brendan O. Clarke "brendoclarke" (Edinburgh) - 4 June 2008 Hitchcock used an example to explain the difference between surprise and suspense. If people are seated at a table and a bomb explodes, that is surprise. If they are seated at a table, and you know there's a bomb under the table attached to a ticking clock, but they continue to play cards -- that's suspense. There's a bomb under "The Orphanage" for excruciating stretches of time. I was expecting the slow-moving "Orphanage" to descend into routine shock and horror movie, or even into the pits with the slasher pictures. But it doesn't. Most of the movie is all waiting, anticipating and dreading. The jolts that come about midway are of a similar magnitude to movies such as Sixth Sense and Blair Witch Project. The story (no spoilers here) of `The Orphanage' focuses on Laura, who as a young girl was raised in the orphanage before being taken away one day and adopted. Now in her 30s, she has returned with her husband and their young son Simon (who has imaginary friends). They have plans to turn the Orphanage into a home for sick/ disabled children. But before they can embark on this venture, Simon vanishes. Laura is the main character in this movie; we are inside her tormented mind. Her husband only appears in a few scenes and all the other characters in the move are minor parts compared to Laura. Laura spends months trying to find her son and she seeks help from a psychic, the Police, and her son's imaginary friends. All the while Laura embarks on a quest to retrieve him that will push her to the limit of sanity. The film is slow moving, but it manages to expertly linger to create atmosphere, a sense of place, a sympathy with the characters, instead of rushing into cheap thrills. The Orphanage stands as one of the most beautiful and moving horror movies in recent memory. As it gears up for a truly unexpected, emotionally draining finale - destined to please or frustrate depending on how nihilistic you like your horror - this elegant ghost story ignores genre conventions to deliver a touching tale of motherhood, love and what may or may not lie on the other side. The last time a movie affected me as much as this was five years ago when I was blown away by `The Vanishing' (the original Dutch movie, not the USA remake). ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | One of the creepiest films I've ever seen
KM (England) - 11 August 2008 `The Orphanage' from producer Guillermo del Toro is about a woman named Laura who returns to live at the old orphanage where she grew up, with her husband and her adopted son, SÃmon. SÃmon has some imaginary friends who play treasure hunt games with him. When he goes missing Laura finds out more about the orphanage and learns that SÃmon's friends maybe aren't imaginary after all. First of all, I must say that this is without a doubt one of the creepiest and most atmospheric films that I have ever seen. I am a massive fan of Del Toro's previous film, Pan's Labyrinth, so I couldn't wait to finally see this film. Although it perhaps isn't as good as Pan's Labyrinth overall, it is a lot more gripping and eerie and is one that kept me thinking long after it had finished. I watched this film knowing nothing about it too, so if you can avoid knowing the story before watching this, it is all the better for it as I really didn't know what to expect next. It got to near the end of the film and I was thinking that the ending didn't make all that much sense but then there is the double twist which made me think - wow, this is a classic. If it hadn't been for the last scene, I think my opinion of this would be a lot different and perhaps my review rating a little lower. I do like foreign films, although don't watch too many of them, but after about 5 minutes of watching this I didn't even realise I was reading the subtitles anymore as I was just so engrossed in the story. So if that is something that would put you off watching this - don't let it as you will honestly be missing out on one of the best supernatural thrillers ever made. Overall this is a very chilling and genuinely scary film that I highly recommend. Everything about it from the story, the acting, the atmosphere, the presentation and the music is just brilliant, However, I strongly recommend not watching this alone or every creak in the house will make you wonder what it is! ... Read Full Review » |
| 3 / 5 | ITS OK! BUT NOT BRILLIANT
M. King (England) - 4 August 2008 Well after reading the glowing reviews I was very excited about watching this film but,oh,I was so disappointed along with my missus. Its NOT scary but does have a couple of 'make you jump scenes' but only a couple. Yes its well photographed and looks good but the story lacks an edge and doesnt go to where you feel it should, the ending is heart rending but descends into nonsense - a great opportunity missed here I feel. Good, decent sort of detective element to it but NO classic!... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | A 'Pleasant' Surprise..
Mr. P. A. Cliff "~FuSioN~" (UK, N. Scotland) - 26 July 2008 Being an avid film fan, and aspiring director myself, I had heard about The Orphanage quite a few months beforehand. The image of Tomás wearing his 'sack mask' in Empire's preview, however, left quite the imprint. Fast forward to today and, having seen the movie, I don't think that imprint is going anywhere soon. I wont go into plot details (other reviews and/or websites will help in that respect). Suffice to say, being as del Toro is attached, the story is interwoven beautifully with the imagery and, surprisingly for a 'horror' film, there is quite a deep emotional centre. Each frame of this movie seems to have been crafted expertly to notch up the suspense. The sound design and period detail in particular are unmatched. Every creaking floorboard, every footstep and every raspy voice add immensely to unsettle the viewer. The only negative I can point out about the film is a scene in which a character is hit by a vehicle. It wasn't particularly gory but it was graphic enough to pull you out of the film momentarily. However, the last hour more than made up for any of its small undoings. The ending is very ambiguous and you will have your own opinion on it. It's like The Blair Witch Project in that sense, you either hate it or love it. Overall, I'd say this is the best horror movie of the last 10 years. For a debut director to create a picture so immensely ambitious and engrossing is an incredible achievement. To say he could be the next del Toro may even be an understatement, JA Bayona could even surpass his 'mentors' talent. I, for one, am looking forward to his next project... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Excellent Spanish Horror - Don't watch it alone!!
Mr. G. Bridgeman-clarke "Graham Bridgeman-Clarke" (Rayleigh UK) - 30 July 2008 What a cracker. I had heard the 5 Live review and wasn't too sure about this film. Generally whatever Dr. Komode says is the opposite of what I think when I see the same film, but he loved it and jumped out of his seat 3 times. Thats probably the only thing he did get wrong, I was elevated from my seat 4 times. If you can deal with the sub-titles - they really are not an inconvenience - then please see this film. The story is good, easy to follow and the drama and horror happens when you least expect it. I won't spoil it by telling you when though. but I would say that the bits where you jump from your seat highest are exactly when you are not expecting them. Great direction but what would you expect from the guy who did Pan's Labarynth Great ending with a feel good factor. If you want to try just one Spanish horror with subtitles then let it be this one - no maybe do two, follow this with the Devil's Backbone. Enjoy... Read Full Review » |
RRP
£25.00
Release Date
21 July 2008
Price Range
£16.98 - £20.20