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The Orphanage
The Orphanage
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The Orphanage

The Orphanage

2007
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 45m
Laura returns to the house where she was raised, and decides to transform it into an orphanage. Soon, her son, Simón, makes an invisible friend... (imdb)

The Orphanage

2007
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 45m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 58.09% from 3380 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

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Rated 29 May 2019
92
84th
A classy and memorable ghost story that delivers chills along with some truly devastating emotional gut-punches. A must-see for haunted house movie fans.
Rated 04 Jan 2008
85
73rd
Though the story is conventional and is readily predictable everything else about The Orphanage is of such a high quality it doesn't allow you to directly fault the film for its shortcomings. The acting is absolutely stellar and the cinematography adds to such an unnatural tension leading The Orphanage to the top of the heap in terms of literal scares. It's terrifying, moody, and in many ways brilliant. The Orphanage is a movie to experience.
Rated 04 Apr 2008
81
88th
One of the better ghost stories of recent times with some fantastic cinematography and great tension. Reminiscent of 1980's "The Changeling".
Rated 01 Aug 2011
80
72nd
For ninety minutes. it's terrifying; then in the last ten minutes as the pieces start to come together and we come to understand what really happened, it turns desperately sad, tragically sad. I wish more modern horror movies were as well-made and as humane as this one is.
Rated 11 Feb 2018
85
82nd
Yeah, I didn't expect much else from Del Toro. The Orphanage is emotionally driven and interesting through and through. While there are some tense moments (moreso than most full horror films), the real thrills come from the emotional connections to the characters you achieve early on. Awesome movie, easily worth a watch.
Rated 29 Dec 2007
78
70th
Doesn't ever completely break out of the standard ghost story conventions, but it is well-executed: the pacing is good and the atmosphere is developed (which is more than I can say for most horror movies), and the metaphor of ghosts as symbols of how we cope with the past and our ability to move is neatly expressed.
Rated 05 Mar 2008
75
65th
This is excellent. It actually scared me and creeped me out, which is rare for this kind of film. Very well made, if only other thriller/horror films were of this quality..
Rated 04 May 2008
80
66th
A little derivative, but satisfying. After several years of most ghost stories coming from Japan, it's nice to have one that doesn't deliberately obscure its plot or leave questions unanswered. Ambiguity can be fun, but it's refreshing to have a story where everything makes sense and there are no nagging loose ends. Those looking for a pure horror experience will probably be disappointed; although there's a couple of jump scares and a few creepy scenes, it's really more moody than frightening.
Rated 04 May 2015
79
74th
"Whoa!!! Isn't someone going to help that poor old woman? Oh good. Is she o...Nooooooo! Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhh. Nooooooooooo." I guess it was an ok jump scare.
Rated 05 Jun 2008
77
45th
The filmmakers nailed the atmosphere, no doubt. But the DVD's menu was creepier than almost anything in the actual movie. Lots of opportunities squandered in that department because there was room for more scares. Still, there is something to be said for restraint and for a slow ratcheting of tension. Only, for all of the building pressure, I don't think there was an adequate emotional release at the end. It was more like, "Oh. I see." Semi-touching, but ultimately felt a little slight to me.
Rated 21 Jul 2008
80
86th
Creepy, chilling, and surprisingly touching. Dripping with style, and the sound design is particularly fantastic.
Rated 07 Dec 2008
85
83rd
The Orphanage is very much like El Laberinto del Fauno in atmosphere, but it isn't as visually engaging. It's not your standard severed limbs and bloody corpses horror, making it instantly interesting. It is a mystery of deceased orphans and a missing child who just before his disappearance told his parents he had made new friends from the former orphanage they moved into - seemingly invisible, made-up friends. The film was positively scary and at several occasions it sent chills up my spine.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
89
95th
Does something that very few films, if any in recent years have managed to do, and that's be an atmospheric and scary horror film that is also be emotional and beautifully shot. A great cast make the most of the simple. but highly effective plot and I just love the ending. I found the whole movie spine-tingling! A work of suspenseful genius.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
94
94th
one of the best thrillers i've ever seen - it's really difficult for horror movies to maintain standards of high filmmaking, but this film inexplicably does it! the content speaks for itself.
Rated 29 Mar 2008
75
71st
Great story, great atmosphere, and a damn lot of authentic tension that doesn't rely on jumpout scares. It's got creepiness, genuine scares, tragedy, and the story is a great mystery to unravel.
Rated 29 Mar 2008
78
66th
null
Rated 29 Mar 2008
51
9th
un, dos, tres toca la pared!
Rated 14 Apr 2008
84
89th
This is one of the best ghost stories in long time. Very unconventional plot line, beautiful pacing and good acting. Even the main boy actor is good choice. Belén Rueda is believeable mother without kid. She looks old on face but got helluva body. Creepy old woman was pretty scary in a dark. Chaplin is not my favourite but luckily her part was brief. Excellent Guillermo del Toro production.
Rated 27 Apr 2008
60
33rd
Stylish and competently acted, but doesn't construct a solid tension base to take it along the road.
Rated 28 Apr 2008
85
83rd
A bit too predictable but the great atmosphere, great scares and fantastic cinematography more than make up for it.
Rated 18 May 2008
90
90th
This film relies on setting and atmosphere to achieve its effects. There is no blood on display, and only one brief and shocking scene that can be counted as "horror". This is a scary film with few special effects: "the dark at the top of the stairs" reaches down deep into our psyches and chills us, reawakening childhood fears. In keeping with the best films in this genre (eg, The Innocents, The Others) there is a surprising sweetness about The Orphanage, at least in its resolution.
Rated 15 Aug 2008
74
40th
This type of film, almost by definition, is bound to take some far fetched twists and turns and have some cheap scares, which isn't something I particularly enjoy. That said, it's done pretty well and the film deals with some interesting themes in a relatively thoughtful way, and the direction has some strong moments as well.
Rated 07 Oct 2008
60
45th
Has few genuinely spooky scenes but the movie is ruined by predictable plot and cheap scares.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
98
95th
Del Toro is the man.
Rated 04 Oct 2015
80
49th
A horror film that shares a lot of similarities with classics like "The Innocents" and modern films like "The Others" but is still able to give us a different kind of story. "The Orphanage" is a ghost story with plenty of suspenseful moments and a few jump scares here and there. The main character played by Belén Rueda is easy to sympathize with and follow. I won't spoil the ending of course but it takes a very different direction and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a unique type of horror fil
Rated 08 Nov 2009
80
74th
A great example that the best thrillers are not about surprise, they are about suspense. One of my favourite thrillers of all time I think. Belen Rueda is magnificent.
Rated 12 Jun 2011
90
95th
I enjoyed this from the beginning till the end. One of the better drama/suspense/horror movies out there. Not just scares for the sake of it, but the scares are actually an integrated part of the story and plot. Highly recommended, don't miss this one!
Rated 04 Jan 2010
50
48th
Moody ghost story that just feels slight in comparison to contemporaries The Others and The Devil's Backbone.
Rated 17 Mar 2010
76
64th
One of only about three movies that treat ghosts in the same metaphoric way I interpret them (see also the original Dark Water, The Shining). Perfectly realized tone, atmosphere and acting. I didn't expect this to take me where it did, but I am grateful for it.
Rated 19 Jul 2010
83
81st
Starts off with a bang, keeps you in suspense the whole time, but the ending was a little much. It should have ended with the chilling discovery and suicide, rather than continue on into other side. Why add a happy ending to the perfect ending? It would be like if Han Solo was encased in Carbonite, the Slave One crashed into Vader's ship on takeoff, releasing Han from his freeze and in he process taking out the Empire. Ok, maybe not that extreme, but still...
Rated 11 Aug 2010
65
44th
The premise is neat, the setting is really filled with potential, and ghost kids creep me out. Somewhere along the way all this potential was squandered on a decent but surprisingly unengaging mystery. A few cool moments, but most of the time you'll be waiting for something, anything to happen.
Rated 03 Oct 2010
45
37th
I found little to like about this.
Rated 25 Feb 2011
85
91st
Fantastic use of atmosphere to create suspense. One of the very best horror films of the decade.
Rated 01 Jan 2008
74
68th
Bayona partly uses very cheeky, easy ways on spooking the viewer but at the same time builds up the mood with briliantly simple moves.
Rated 04 Jan 2008
92
91st
The most perfect ghost story I've ever seen.
Rated 12 Jan 2008
59
47th
The Orphanage has a nice storyline that keeps your attention throughout viewing. It IS atmospheric as countless reviews claim; the actors do an adequate job. However, don't go to the Orphange thinking you're gonna be seeing a kick-butt horror flick. Scares are few and far between, and even though the story is tight, the film suffers from poor execution by its director and a screenwriter's weak dialogue. It's a good ghost story, but not a great movie. Wait for video.
Rated 07 May 2015
8
93rd
slutet gott
Rated 02 Jun 2013
100
99th
Watch it. Then brush your teeth, go to bed, turn out the lights and pull the covers over your head, because you're convinced that the scarecrow-boy is standing the corner, watching you. Repeat this every evening for the next two weeks. Good times!
Rated 25 Mar 2008
85
76th
Creepy, scary. Shot well, acted well. I couldn't sleep last night. It's no Pan's Labyrinth but pretty freaking good.
Rated 25 Mar 2008
85
50th
Well-executed horror film even if the scares don't come quite as thick and fast as in most of today's horrors. The suspense is kept high throughout, however, and when the director wants to scare you, he will do exactly that. A decent horror film which I would recommend to any fans of the genre.
Rated 14 Apr 2013
1
0th
There were points in this movie where I told myself it could actually turn into something great, but then it drove in the point with unexplainable character development, unclear chain of events, and an ending that leaves you wondering why you spent the time to watch this movie at all.
Rated 12 Apr 2008
75
16th
Great film - not for the faint hearted though - it got under my skin and I needed a couple of glasses of wine to stop feeling creeped out...!
Rated 13 Apr 2008
78
55th
spooky!
Rated 21 Apr 2008
80
90th
EL Orphanto is a great movie and I'm saddened that we don't get films like this on our side of the Atlantic very often.
Rated 26 Apr 2008
30
7th
A clichè-ridden bore.
Rated 05 May 2008
45
44th
Mostly well-made sort-of horror film, except for a couple of short scenes that serve little purpose to the story. The husband is annoying, by the way, as the 'rational' stock character, but the others are ok. Ultimately, a disappointment for me. I suppose I had expected both more originality and less Freudianism, or whatever you want to call the fucked up "message" here.
Rated 10 May 2008
76
59th
Superbly unfolding plot and a lot of creaking floorboards. A nice, wide variety of scares. A very well made, old fashioned ghost story.
Rated 24 May 2008
43
17th
Pretty dumb and cliche.
Rated 25 May 2008
65
53rd
Very well done and genuinely scary, but doesn't introduce anything new to the genre - it's certainly not in the same class as 'The Others' or '6th sense'.
Rated 18 Feb 2013
80
70th
Really atmospheric, with some clever twists. It rises above much other thriller/horror movies with a good female character that is actually a strong woman and not just tireless cliches. I sense the ending is "love it or hate it".
Rated 09 Jun 2008
82
59th
Even though 'scary' turns to 'tender' by the end, it still spooked me right out of my skin.
Rated 19 Jun 2008
80
82nd
It would be dismissive to call this a horror movie. It's a heart-breaking story of a mother looking for closure after her son goes missing for several months.
Rated 27 Jun 2008
85
80th
While the plot does not offer anything groundbreaking, the direction and certain other storytelling elements make it a breath of fresh air.
Rated 01 Jul 2008
74
85th
good movie
Rated 31 Mar 2015
6
25th
The movie doesn't point out any new things, any new tricks. It's got all the horror genre needs but has nothing to bring into the table of technic. The camera work is very flat, however the music is well pointed and well fit for a atmosphere. Though I hate moments when the music is none. Plot has a few holes, but it hangs there. Positive 6 with few too much tears.
Rated 11 Jan 2013
60
69th
Manages to be very scary and atmospheric despite the writing being pretty weak. The characters are awfully two-dimensional and the dialogue cliched. Despite its flaws it was entertaining but I'm not sure if there's any reason to watch it a second time.
Rated 08 Oct 2016
77
74th
I was learning on a 78 for this one, but I'm unsure. Great horror.
Rated 14 Aug 2008
97
73rd
this movie made me feel wrong.....
Rated 12 Sep 2008
70
73rd
spanish classical!
Rated 13 Sep 2008
7
4th
a spanish haunted house story, that's pretty much it
Rated 28 Sep 2008
60
50th
Scary as hell when I saw this in the theater. The storyline leaves something to be desired, though.
Rated 31 Jan 2015
82
62nd
One of the best pieces of evidence that real-life fears will always trump supernatural ones.
Rated 14 Nov 2011
73
64th
This movie really surprised me with the quality of its story. To be honest, I think it made too much effort to be a horror movie and an R-rated movie. Sure, whenever you hear "haunted orphanage" your mind is automatically going to turn to horror, but the story turned out to be a lot more dramatic and touching, and not about scares. Because of that, the scenes that do go for big scares feel a bit forced when they do come along.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
95
86th
Del Toro is a god.
Rated 17 Oct 2008
75
56th
Not bad. Interesting story that is genuinely creepy and heartbreaking.
Rated 09 Nov 2008
90
81st
I really really liked this film. There are some bits where I struggled to ascertain what was actually going on (probably through fault of my own!) and I dont think its quite in the league of Pan's Labyrinth - but most things arent. Has a beautiful - if bittersweet ending.
Rated 15 May 2016
50
23rd
Fairly creepy, but I despised the kid in it. As a result I didn't care at all about her search for him, and the ending was also kind of meh.
Rated 12 Nov 2011
79
75th
I'm not usually startled by "scary movies", but this one was actually a bit scary. Well done.
Rated 06 Mar 2009
73
57th
Really enjoyed Belen Rueda in this.
Rated 14 Mar 2009
85
82nd
Done very, very well. The conclusion was really fucked up, I have to say.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
78
73rd
Not really a "horror" movie in my book, but still a very good suspense/drama.
Rated 21 Mar 2009
30
61st
"...an often chilling story that never sags..."
Rated 23 Mar 2009
40
17th
Absolutely boring.
Rated 15 Apr 2014
65
42nd
Tense and proficiently crafted, this rises above most of its Hollywood counterparts but it doesn't break any new ground either. Mind you, it's perfectly serviceable and well-made and the finale was a bittersweet (and creepy) surprise but the jump-scares and storyline are as generic as they come.
Rated 27 Aug 2016
0
2nd
Another distasteful crap that gets a positive critical reception.
Rated 18 Sep 2011
70
36th
Never screaming-scary, but very suspenseful. Sad story, weird ending (neither good nor bad IMO).
Rated 12 May 2009
75
51st
Very good film that'll have your knuckles white as you grip the person next to you. A saddening but beautiful story.
Rated 17 May 2009
70
25th
Spanish ghost story. Produced by Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth). Nicely shot and creepy. Rather-too-realistic shots of handicapped children.
Rated 30 May 2009
70
41st
Brilliant drama, I wouldn't say it was much of a horror though. Great performances and an interesting storyline, with fantastic cinematography.
Rated 11 Jun 2009
83
98th
Excellent ghost story, probably top ten.
Rated 30 Aug 2022
10
2nd
My Spanish teacher made us watch this multiple times to learn horror Spanish. I cried. Also damn she lowkey killed her kid.
Rated 23 Mar 2014
83
75th
82.500
Rated 01 Dec 2012
77
69th
An engrossing horror story with fine performances from the leads (except the father who was annoying). More predictable than I expected and I'm usually easily fooled. Not as scary as The Others.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
80
51st
Very well directed and written horror movie.
Rated 24 Aug 2009
75
64th
A great movie.... scary and ultimately, deeply moving. Beautifully filmed and tremendous performances all round. Recommended
Rated 08 Sep 2009
85
73rd
I do love subtle ghost stories like this one, even though I used to be a scaredy cat when i was much younger. This one is good and evocative of Del Toro's "The Devil's Backbone", but doesn't quite match it in terms of story and mystery. I didn't care for the very end, either, but the rest is great.
Rated 12 Dec 2021
90
83rd
Terrific "ghost story" horror is elevated further by its sturdy emotional underpinnings, embodied in Rueda's finely tuned performance which never tips over into hysteria, even as the tension winds unbearably tight. Bayona creates some diabolically ghoulish horror set-pieces and jump scares (the traffic accident is kinda brilliant) leading to a finale which may frustrate some, but actually brings its story threads together cleverly while leaving the ultimate conclusion open to interpretation.
Rated 12 Feb 2014
96
94th
While slow-paced its certainly my favourite foreign film, and it is very moving despite also having its fair share of jumps as well!
Rated 18 Dec 2009
60
35th
This thriller/horror about a boy that goes missing in a former orphanage wasn't as scary as [rec], but I jumped a number of times nevertheless ;). The film has a decent screenplay which cannot be said from most horror movies, and tension is driven really nicely by the cinematography and the music. Unlike most horror movies that I've seen, this one was satisfying.
Rated 20 Dec 2009
90
94th
A very creepy and tense movie that has some great atmosphere. Great acting. The story was pretty good with an ending that I did not expect, even though it is something that I have seen before. The characters are very well done and the kind that you care to what happens to them. Highly recommended, especially if you like creepy ghost stories.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
87
75th
A gripping ghost story with a haunting ending.
Rated 26 Oct 2012
72
63rd
* Casting, Acting : 7 * Script : 7 * Directing, Aura : 8 * Ease of Viewing : 7 * Naked Eye : 7
Rated 13 Sep 2012
29
33rd
Great cinematography and atmosphere made for a chilling yet beautiful story. Unfortunately for the most part it feels like a story told time and time again, with a bit of a dud ending.
Rated 26 May 2010
83
56th
A fairly predictable climax, but superb acting from the entire cast and a well written story which requires ardent concentration.
Rated 10 Jun 2010
80
67th
This litte ghost story packs some good punches...There are some moments that last forever and drag....but as a whole this is a scary little flick
Rated 09 Jul 2010
88
94th
great one ... must see
Rated 09 Oct 2012
98
94th
Amazing suspense, plot develops in a very interesting way, good acting. Terrifying.
Rated 08 Feb 2014
79
77th
.
Rated 12 Oct 2010
60
19th
I'm not into horror movies but I think this wasn't one! weak and predictable
Rated 13 Dec 2010
15
21st
"Rips off horror classics as far back as The Innocents to as recent as The Devil's Backbone, stripping them of their vibrant emotional connotations." - Ed Gonzalez

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