The Orphanage Reviews
Critic & User Reviews
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Critic Reviews
A fastidiously grim ghost story that rattles the bones of the haunted-house genre and finds plenty of fresh (but not too bloody) meat.
Read the full reviewLures us in with extraordinary subtlety. Keeping sound effects and incidental music to a relative minimum, it builds its suspense almost subliminally. So when something scary or shocking does occur -- deprived of those Hollywood-style cues -- we are truly startled.
Read the full reviewDeliberately aimed at viewers with developed attention spans. It lingers to create atmosphere, a sense of place, a sympathy with the characters, instead of rushing into cheap thrills.
Read the full reviewWhile some of the trappings and even some of the plot elements could easily be called unoriginal, Bayona and screenwriter Sergio G. Sánchez arrange them in a fresh way, crafting an emotionally resonant, nerve-jangling experience.
Read the full reviewIn a season filled with dark-themed films, it stands out as an elegantly mounted, surprisingly humane but terrifying horror thriller well worth seeing.
Read the full reviewThough the movie has a handful of shots that are downright gross to witness, what makes The Orphanage scary is not what it threatens to show but what it suggests about life.
Read the full reviewThe Orphanage gets by on mood and a mournfulness that's not easily soothed. Sadness and loss, it says, are the threads connecting the spirit world and our own, and women, who bring life into the world, understand that far better than men ever will.
Read the full reviewFor those who enjoy ghost stories and are willing to be patient with a movie that gradually unveils its secrets rather than uncovering them all in an orgy of violence and terror, The Orphanage fills a need. The spell it casts early does not evaporate until the epilogue is finished.
Read the full reviewYou're either in the mood to go along with the puzzle pieces or you're not. I'm not usually a puzzle-piece fan myself, not when it's clear that the filmmaker rigs the moves. But I couldn't help but fall for the repurposed real estate, and cheer for the lady strong enough to break through walls when she senses a child is waiting.
Read the full reviewThe Orphanage, a diverting, overwrought ghost story from Spain, relies on basic and durable horror movie techniques.
Read the full reviewThis Spanish supernatural thriller begins interestingly and finishes intriguingly. But what lies between drags because the film lacks a driving story line.
Read the full reviewYou may see The Orphanage for what it is, an enjoyable contraption, without believing a bit of it.
Read the full reviewReview excerpts provided by Metacritic.com.
The Metascore® designation for this movie is 74
User Reviews
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Spanish language subtited in English
"I'm not surprised that foreign language films don't advertise that they are dubbed or have English subtitles but why don't critics make that distinction for us in the first paragraph of their reviews? I REALLY dislike reading subtitles while trying to appreciate the more subtle emotions on the faces of the actors. If I want to read dialog, I'll buy the book. From now on I'm going to ask for my money back when the film is subtitled and there is no indication of that fact prior to purchasing a ticket."
Thought Provoking
"I knew this movie was scary before I went to see it. My brother likes these types of movies, I don't. But this movie made me think of how Alfred Hitchcock built up the suspense---filming the actors overhead, through the stairways, from down the hall. I must admit, after S?mon disappeared, I watched this movie through my fingers. The Spanish was a little hard to follow (Spanish from Spain, they speak soooo fast) but I prefered the Spanish to having the movied dubbed in English. The original language made you really feel the emotions the characters were feeling. I hope to buy it when it comes out on DVD."
awesome movie!!!
"This movie is a foriegn film made in spain with a great storyline. there are subtitles but you get used to it after the first few minutes. The main actress was great and the movie was a suspensful thiller with a touch of drama to hook you in. I give this movie 5 stars, it was one of the best scarey movies i've seen in a LOONNNG time. They didnt have to use blood and gore to scare you. The coloring and scenarie is what also makes the movie great. Go see this movie, you wont regret it!"
Awesome movie
"I was visiting Spain this past October and had the greatest opportunity to see this movie while I was there. I loved it. I'ts been a long time for this type of movies to come out without all the gore in it and the effect its even twice as better. Go see it, you wont be dissapointed..."
Great Sunday Afternoon flick!!!!
"I saw this movie when the spanish version hit theathers in NYC. To be honest, this is a true ghost story, with small but cheap scares. Even though, I had to read the subtitles, the music sore was great and fit the film. The lead actress, gives a very heart warming role. We will be hearing from this women soon enough. Back to the concept of this mild but great spooky story, this is nothing like the asia films which have evil and sinster things that come after you. All coming down to a sad but satisfiting ending...if anything I recomend this movie if you have nothing really to do on those rainy sunday afternoons."
Must See Movie
"I love this movie. I agree with the previous posters, the movie has a subtle hint of scaring you. It's sixth sense/Peter Pan/ a couple of factors rolled into one. I would definitely see it again. For a foreign flick, this is definitely worth watching."
A suspensful subtitled film
"A very understated suspensful film, not a thriller. Enjoyed it but would have liked to have known it was in English subtitles."
Amazing!
"This has got to be the best movie I will see in 2008. Talk about scary and suspenseful. The story line was really nicely done and the ending was amazing. No blood, gore, or cursing. Too often directors get caught up in that thinking thats what makes a horror film. This film proves you don't need all that to make a great horror film. MUST SEE!"
Wonderful movie
"This is the best movie i have seen this year. Loved it!"
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