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Orphan 2009 ★★★★
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
The main reason is this movie's villain. Isabelle Fuhrman delivers a career making performance as Esther. Starting off all sweet and innocent. As the psychologist later says: charming on the surface.
But then the story starts scratching said surface and Esther becomes more and more devious and caniving. Manipulating her impressionable brother and sister into a role as unwilling accomplices. And colder. In that aspect, I wonder if it was a deliberate choice to give her a Russian accent. It makes it easier for Isabelle Fuhrman to take on this calculated attitude that says: “Go on. I don't care. What are you going to prove? Nobody will believe you.” Not to say anything about her appearance. With her clothes and her coal black eyes, she gives off the same scary vibe as Damien or some of the others characters in The Omen.
The other cast members are no slouches either. Vera Farmiga is very convincing as the mother with the troubled past, struggling with both her inner demons and this complicated danger she finds herself confornted with. Peter Sarsgaard is good as the onblivious dad and I can not go without mentioning Aryana Engineer, who did a great job as the vulnerable Max.
Side note: I'm a huge X-Files fan and it's uncanny how I have the tendency to relate people back to that show. Example: whenever I see CCH Pounder, my mind always goes back to the Duane Berry-episode and sees her as the sceptical cop who eventually warms up (a bit) to Mulder.
The build up is great, with the accidents and the threats becoming ever more dangerous and deadly. Throughout all this, Esther manages to increase her grip on Danny and Max, turn the society against her adoptive mother and creep out the viewer. The big reveal is well done along with the scene where Esther/Leena hits on her father. Creepy stuff. The ending keeps you on the edge of your seat, with a satisfyingly tension conclusion. Especially the shot with Vera Farmiga caught under the ice. Knowing how people have actually died this way, it's enough to give you the willies.
If you want to do a creepy kid evening, this and The Omen should make for excellent viewing. And I am already curious about the other horrors that miss Fuhrman is in.
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