I’ve often said that everything Guillermo del Toro touches turns to gold, and “The Orphanage” is no exception. On this one, del Toro is producing, rather than directing, but one cannot help but feel his influence in terms of both style and story. That’s not a knock on director Juan Antonio Bayona, who is clearly very capable. It’s just that when you’re watching a Spanish ghost story featuring children, something just screams “del Toro!” That’s not a bad thing.
On with the review…
Laura and her husband Carlos have recently purchased the old orphanage where Laura spent her early years. They are planning to move in with their son Simón, a bright young boy with an overactive imagination. Simón often speaks of several imaginary friends , and while exploring some nearby caves with his mother, meets a new friend, Thomás.
A visit from a mysterious social worker reveals to the viewer that Simón is not only adopted, but also HIV positive, two secrets Simón himself is not aware of. Soon after, Simón reveals to his mother that he is aware of both of these facts, which were seemingly revealed to him by his imaginary friends. After an argument during a party, Simón disappears. Laura and Carlos try every method available to find him, from police investigators to psychic mediums. Along the way, they unearth many secrets about the mysterious social worker and her connection to horrors that took place at the orphanage.
I won’t go into any more detail about the plot, because I’m already afraid I’ve revealed too much. I went into this movie knowing very little, and I liked it that way. I will tell you this: director Juan Antonio Bayona has made a movie that is as touching as it is terrifying. He clearly understands that it is mood and setting that create true horror, not something jumping out of a closet and yelling “BOO!” every 15 minutes. The tension in this film builds and builds for nearly two hours, only letting up briefly every once in a while to let you catch your breath. I spent a large portion of this movie looking slightly to the left of the screen, or attempting to casually cover my eyes with my hand as I silently cursed myself for coming to see yet another scary movie… but at the same time, it was impossible to look away. Good stuff.
The performances are top notch as well. Unlike American horror, where everything must be played over the top and exaggerated, this movie revels in it’s subtlety. I’m not usually a fan of child actors, but Roger Príncep is fantastic as young Simón. I would dare say you could watch this movie without subtitles and still understand the basic gist of what’s going on, which is a testament to it’s storytelling. Of course, if you speak Spanish, you wouldn’t be reading the subtitles anyway, but that’s beside the point.
In short: if you like your horror to be a little more cerebral, and you can appreciate a tale about the bond between a mother and her child, I’ve got a great ghost story for you. It’s called The Orphanage.
On with the review…
Laura and her husband Carlos have recently purchased the old orphanage where Laura spent her early years. They are planning to move in with their son Simón, a bright young boy with an overactive imagination. Simón often speaks of several imaginary friends , and while exploring some nearby caves with his mother, meets a new friend, Thomás.
A visit from a mysterious social worker reveals to the viewer that Simón is not only adopted, but also HIV positive, two secrets Simón himself is not aware of. Soon after, Simón reveals to his mother that he is aware of both of these facts, which were seemingly revealed to him by his imaginary friends. After an argument during a party, Simón disappears. Laura and Carlos try every method available to find him, from police investigators to psychic mediums. Along the way, they unearth many secrets about the mysterious social worker and her connection to horrors that took place at the orphanage.
I won’t go into any more detail about the plot, because I’m already afraid I’ve revealed too much. I went into this movie knowing very little, and I liked it that way. I will tell you this: director Juan Antonio Bayona has made a movie that is as touching as it is terrifying. He clearly understands that it is mood and setting that create true horror, not something jumping out of a closet and yelling “BOO!” every 15 minutes. The tension in this film builds and builds for nearly two hours, only letting up briefly every once in a while to let you catch your breath. I spent a large portion of this movie looking slightly to the left of the screen, or attempting to casually cover my eyes with my hand as I silently cursed myself for coming to see yet another scary movie… but at the same time, it was impossible to look away. Good stuff.
The performances are top notch as well. Unlike American horror, where everything must be played over the top and exaggerated, this movie revels in it’s subtlety. I’m not usually a fan of child actors, but Roger Príncep is fantastic as young Simón. I would dare say you could watch this movie without subtitles and still understand the basic gist of what’s going on, which is a testament to it’s storytelling. Of course, if you speak Spanish, you wouldn’t be reading the subtitles anyway, but that’s beside the point.
In short: if you like your horror to be a little more cerebral, and you can appreciate a tale about the bond between a mother and her child, I’ve got a great ghost story for you. It’s called The Orphanage.
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