Orphan: First Kill

I went in not expecting much and wasn't disappointed. Here we have a prequel that may of worked better had it been made much closer to the original movie.

There are aspects of the story that are just ridiculous. Lines that have been written that don't sound like they should. Characters doing things that seem not at all like something they would do. Plot holes scattered throughout. It doesn't completely suck but honestly it's not very good either.

Watch it or don't.

I absolutely loved the original Orphan film so was excited to revisit the character in this prequel.

After half an hour or so I was a tad underwhelmed as things felt fairly similar to that first film.

However ... an absolutely deranged and outlandish twist sends things in a very bold direction which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was not expecting it at all and it made for a truly wild and intriguing second half of this film.

I do think they could have played on this a little more and shortened the pre-twist antics to strengthen the post twist antics, but still, a real treat.

The de-aging technology or whatever they used worked really well on Isabella Fuhrman and didn't break the illusion at all. Julia Stiles was on fire in a very interesting role.

One criticism however is that for large sections of the film the picture had a smoky and murky quality which made certain sections seem out of focus and I really didn't enjoy this.

Overall though this film is an absolute blast. Fans of the first Orphan film will love this I'm sure. Despite the fact that for a horror film its never particularly scary, the killer twist and deliciously deranged second half make for one hell of a ride.

After the first movie " The Orphan " I was quite eager to know about the beginning of Esther, how she came up to be who she is- you know the stuffs you have in a origin film. But this doesn't seem to be like that at all.

First of all, the movie doesnt even begin from the beginning in Esther's perspective. She was shown to be in a mental hospital and doctors mention her to be the most dangerous patient ever (we dont know why and how she was called that). Why should we not know why she was a dangerous patient? It was the "first kill" after all.

I often had the feeling of her not being a mental patient but just a killer who likes to kill, at least at the first. I am also ignoring all the small inconsistencies that were spread throughout the film.

I don't know what to think of this movie. I want to love it as I did the first one but the girl doesn't look like a kid anymore. And the parents don't even see it's not her? Strange. Do the film makers have kids? You can easily tell it's not your kid.

What about the accent? 4 years was enough to get a strong accent?

It's all too unbelievable, I rated higher because of the first one and I want them too make more of these kind of movies.

The movie would be really great if she actually looked like a child. At best she can pass for 16. Nowhere near 9.

One of the film's strongest aspects is the outstanding performance by Isabelle Fuhrman as Esther. Fuhrman effortlessly embodies the complex and chilling nature of the character, showcasing her acting range and making Esther both captivating and unsettling to watch. Her portrayal adds depth and intensity to the film, making it worth seeing for her performance alone.

The prequel attempts to delve deeper into Esther's past, providing a backstory that sheds light on her twisted psyche. This exploration adds layers to the character, giving viewers a better understanding of her motivations. The psychological elements add intrigue and elevate the film beyond a simple slasher flick.

Orphan First Kill manages to create moments of genuine suspense and tension. Some scenes are expertly crafted, building up the anticipation and delivering chilling payoffs. These moments keep viewers on the edge of their seats, adding an undeniable thrill to the viewing experience.

On the other hand, the film suffers from pacing issues that hinder its overall impact. The narrative feels uneven, with certain scenes dragging on and others feeling rushed. This inconsistency disrupts the flow of the story, preventing full immersion in the plot and dampening the impact of key moments.

Despite Isabelle Fuhrman's compelling performance, the script fails to fully develop Esther's character. While the prequel attempts to provide depth, it falls short of delivering a truly nuanced exploration of her motivations. This missed opportunity leaves a sense of unfulfilled potential and prevents the film from reaching its full emotional and psychological impact.

The cinematography and production design are serviceable but fail to stand out. While they effectively contribute to the eerie atmosphere, they lack the visual flair and creativity that could have elevated the film to new heights.