“The Orphanage” (AKA “El Orfanto”) – Spanish Cinema In The Style Of “Pan’s Labyrinth”
“The Orphanage” (2007) is a smart and stylized horror movie with great direction and an even better plot.
The story centers around Laura, played by Belen Rueda, as she moves with her family into the old orphanage in which she grew up. Now thirty-seven, Laura plans to reopen the orphanage as a home for the disabled, with the help of her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) and son Simon (Roger Princep).
Simon is an orphan too. Adopted by Laura and Carlos out of compassion for his HIV illness, Simon makes many invisible friends at the family’s new home. Whether Simon’s invisible friends are the result of an overactive childhood imagination or more sinister forces, you can probably guess.
When Simon suddenly disappears, Laura will stop at nothing to find out the true nature of Simon’s friends, and solve the mystery of “The Orphanage.”
The great thing about seeing the mystery unfold is the quality of film’s structure. Because there ARE ghosts in the orphanage, we ASSUME they must be responsible for what happened to Simon. In fact the ghosts are VICTIMS of what goes on in the orphanage, which begs the question: Will Simon be a victim too?
The ending will surprise you in its sheer logic and simplicity. This is a refreshing change from the horror franchise norm (e.g. “Saw”), in which twist after twist is crammed into the last five minutes, creating plot holes and stretching the limits of believability.
“The Orphanage” is also notable for it’s lack of special effects. The ghosts are not computer generated, the climax does not involve hanging from the roof’s ledge, and there is hardly a drop of blood in the whole picture. Instead, the scares are done the right way: by mixing lighting, shot composition, sound effects, timing and rhythm to ratchet the suspense into the stratosphere. The craftsmanship of “The Orphanage” is genuine, folks!
All this makes “The Orphanage” (or “El Orfanto” in the film’s native tongue) another in a string of Spanish cinema breakthroughs. Director Juan Antonio Bayona and producer Guillermo del Toro, along with other great filmmakers like Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, have thrust Spanish made movies back to the forefront of world cinema.
While Bayona’s “Orphanage” is not quite as good as del Toro’s Oscar-winning “Pan’s Labyrinth,” anyone who enjoys one is bound to enjoy the other. Check them both out on Netflix. If you have a Netflix account, either film is available for instant viewing online.
Grade: B+
Is “The Orphanage” a modern horror classic?
Post your thoughts.
I haven’t seen it yet, so I don’t know if it’s a classic… but I’l certainly check it and come back. I really enjoy your review style.
Lifer
July 10, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I saw it last night after watching “Devil’s Backbone” and figured why not make it a movie night. I have grown to really appreciate del Toro’s work because it is smart and it is not cheap. By cheap I refer to the fact that many films give into cheap thrills or chills to make up for what is lacking in the film. I have yet to be disappointed by his work from what I have seen so far. When it comes to The Orphanage I was nervous that it would be like every other “little scary kid horror” film that has already been done and over used. Needless to say that this film is nothing what you would expect and what I really love about his films, is that you always feel the need to talk about them once it is over.
Great Review. If anyone who reads this liked Pan’s, you will not be disappointed.
Poe
August 9, 2008 at 8:48 am
OOOooOO this lookes like a good one, i think id actually be scared!
Jessica
December 5, 2008 at 6:52 pm