The Orphanage film review
Review of The Orphanage, showing at The Duke of York’s Brighton until April 3rd 2008.
The Orphanage is a truly spooky Spanish film, produced by the Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, the director of Pans Labyrinth, and it has his stamp all over it. Its a story about a woman who returns to the Orphanage where she grew up to raise her son and open a school for children with learning difficulties. Upon arriving however it would appear the place is haunted, and she receives a visit from the most unsettling old lady I have ever seen.
Parts of this film are truly horrific, and there are many jumpy scenes. I have never before seen a film where the audience screams out loud quite so much. I imagine it might have something to do with the fact that I saw this on a Saturday night, so people might have been more tipsy than normal, but its more likely the fact this film is scream out loud terrifying! A bit like a theme park ride though, its always fun and never that nasty, this is nothing like Hostel or Saw.
As well as being scary, The Orphanage is pretty intelligent too, with lots of twists and a well thought out sensitive plot. Although not without its holes, they are minimal when compared with most films of this genre. Indeed, this film is not a fully horror, but could also stand up well as a straight thriller or mystery.
As well as bearing a striking resemblance to del Toros Devil’s Backbone (another film set in an Orphanage which focuses on similar topics), the mood of this film brings to mind the Nicole Kidman film The Others (which was directed by Alejandro Amenábar and was also filmed in Spain) and The Shining which also features a big lonely building with a troubled past.
Put simply, this is a must see film, and the best of its kind I have seen in years.
5/5
The extras!
The Orphanage trailer - the cheesy one with American voiceover
The Orphanage trailer - original Spanish with subtitles
The official website is a flash site complete with spooky sound effects. Comes with some making of stuff of limited interest, some text interviews and descriptions and wallpapers for download. Of more interest is the group of videos comprising interviews with the director and Guillermo.
Whilst America are busy blurting out slash horror, Europe returns to form with this fine piece of complete cinema. America is too busy ripping peoples guts about, whilst Toro goes deeper and invades our souls, seriously spooky!