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The Orphanage
Actors: Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep, Mabel Rivera, Montserrat Carulla
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Genres: Indie & Art House, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

R 2008 1hr 45min

It's only his first film, but Spain's Juan Antonio Bayona has already figured out the secret to a successful supernatural thriller: emphasize character over special effects. Like Walter Salles's Dark Water and Alejandro Am... more »

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Movie Details

Actors: Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep, Mabel Rivera, Montserrat Carulla
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Creators: Oscar Faura, Fernando Velázquez
Genres: Indie & Art House, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sub-Genres: Indie & Art House, Horror, Fantasy
Studio: New Line Home Video
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 04/22/2008
Original Release Date: 01/01/2008
Theatrical Release Date: 00/00/2008
Release Year: 2008
Run Time: 1hr 45min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 6
Members Wishing: 0
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Languages: Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
See Also:

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Member Movie Reviews

Murdock U. (Radar) from SILVER CITY, NM
Reviewed on 12/15/2017...

Well I wanted to watch this movie but I didn't notice it was in Spanish and I don't know Spanish and It won't let me change it so it's in English. And I don't want to sit there and try to read subtitles in the whole movie.
It would've been nice if you could change watching it to English or Spanish. but all you can do is turn subtitles on or off to English or Spanish. why do you want to turn on Spanish subtitles if it's already in Spanish. and you can't change the movie to English speaking?
I can't star rate it if I can't watch it to know if it was a good or bad movie.

If i tried to read the subtitles I would have to keep pausing it so I could read them sometimes you can't get though reading what is being said before words change to what they say is different.
Subtitles would give me a big headache and cause my seizures too.

4 of 7 member(s) found this review helpful.

Christine A. (WriteReviseEdit) from ROCHESTER, NY
Reviewed on 6/5/2015...

If you like "Close Encounters ..." and "Pan's Labyrinth," you'll love "The Orphanage."

I stumbled upon this film a few years back. I'd seen the starring actress in other films and love the unusual approach Juan Antonio Bayona and his tight circle of director friends take to Spanish-language film making. In fact, upon seeing it I purchased it. However, I'd lent my copy to a friend. Never to get it back. Which is why I reordered it on SwapADVD - a film lover's treasure trove!!!

I truly believe that, if you like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" for its otherworldly and metaphysical overtures and "Pan's Labyrinth" for its blend of fantastic and realistic events, you will love "The Orphanage." I'm not a fan of slasher, horror or even creepy movies. This is a great alternative. It's suspenseful, intriguing and just goofy enough to make you jump, believe and laugh at the right moments.

Needless to say, I won't be lending out THIS copy any time soon.

My friends can get their own!!!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Callie K. (ballofglitter) from GRAND ISLAND, NE
Reviewed on 8/30/2014...

This is such an amazing movie!! My husband and I both loved it and he doesn't care for paranormal movies but it's got a shocking but outstanding ending!!

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Deborah M. from IRMO, SC
Reviewed on 4/4/2013...

This movie has english subtitles, but, if you can get over that and keep watching it, it is great! It's is a unique plot, suspenseful.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Derek B. from LINDSBORG, KS
Reviewed on 9/16/2011...

This movie was absolutely fantastic. The acting was top notch, the set ups for the scary parts was almost torture in how slow and meticulous it set everything up. It even had a couple jump scares that actually worked as well. The ending was also heart wrenching and overall satisfying. The problems I hear people having are that it's to slow and that it turns into a drama at the end rather then a horror movie. To me these complaints are just from people who probably like the slasher kill them all movies as opposed to horror movies that take their time and let you try to figure out what's happening and why. The ending again is very emotional and is very dramatic. If you like the slower paced movies then this is definitely worth checking out if you haven't you will not be disappointed.

5 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.

Jamie S. (jlsschmidt) from BERKELEY HTS, NJ
Reviewed on 3/22/2011...

I thought this was one of the best new horror movies I've seen in years! It was so refreshing to see something with a richer plot that didn't rely on major gore. I want more movies made like this one!

5 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.

Miranda P. from DES PLAINES, IL
Reviewed on 10/26/2010...

This is such a great film. It's very sad, and creepy as hell ... I was scared and crying my eyes out at the same time. Apparently they are going to do an American remake, which is just unnecessary.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Edgar R. (edgarshoe) from CALEXICO, CA
Reviewed on 10/6/2010...

After watching it a second time, everything started to come together and make more sense. For some reason it seemed scarier the 2nd time around. It's quite a sad story, really, although at times it does tickle the scary bone and can be a bit gruesome as well. This is produced by Guillermo Del Toro, known for his work in "The Devil's Back Bone", which I really didn't like, and "Pan's Labyrinth", which I did enjoy.

3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Linda S. (tpz1957) from CORTLAND, OH
Reviewed on 10/3/2010...

Very slow start, strange happy ending.

2 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.

Christine T. from APPLE VALLEY, CA
Reviewed on 8/31/2010...

THIS DVD IS IN SPANISH. THATS WHY I DON'T WANT IT...I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW.

1 of 11 member(s) found this review helpful.

Movie Reviews

The Orphanage

Charles A. Robinson | 08/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I prefer not to detail the things that actually occur in a movie, nor give long, pointed descriptions of the characters in them. I feel part of the enjoyment of a movie is figuring these things out for yourself (if you're reading a review, you're already partially interested, right?). So if you're looking for that, skip on down to any of the excellent descriptive reviews already posted.

On to the review itself:

The Orphanage is an incredibly under-appreciated movie.

Part of the problem comes from the tendency for it to be lumped into the horror genre, which has over the last few decades becomes synonymous with gore. This isn't to dismiss anyone's opinions of what makes a good horror movie, but someone looking for a movie akin to Saw, Hostel, et. al., should avoid this movie like the plague; you will be disappointed.

Outside of that, fans of psychological horror will find much to appreciate here. The atmosphere of the movie is absolutely perfect, with its dark tones and scenes juxtaposed with some brilliant, shining scenes -- never letting the viewer get too settled on what's to come. The movie itself exists much more in the vein of Hitchcock, without the overacting and overproduction seen in his otherwise wonderful movies. The best parts of this movie exist in their subtlety, never bothering to explain to the viewer what is obvious through attention, and not, with some very rare exception, forcing the viewer to take the director's view of how the movie should be interpreted.

If you're looking for a movie that will disturb you without excessive gore in a way that you remember it years later -- and that may even give you something to debate with your friends on family -- be sure to give this movie a chance.

Regarding the difference between Blu-Ray and DVD, if you have a chance, be sure to catch it in high definition. It's absolutely beautiful, and the sound is impeccably done. Not knocking on the DVD (it's also great!), but the Blu-Ray approximates the experience from the theatre much more in this movie than it does in some other releases as of late.
"

Pretty good ghost story

Lisa L. Lindsey | 07/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was a better story then I thought it would be and not what I expected it to be. Youo would kinda think you were going to see a very scary and evil film but it's not really. I mean, there are some parts that make you jump but its more of a story of love and release. I cant think of another way of putting it without telling the ending. I liked the story and thought it was very endearing, if not sad as to what really happened. If you are looking for a hollywood ghost story with blood and terrifying ghosts, then dont watch this. Thats not what this is about abd you will be disappointed. This is more of a traditional ghost story.
Also, if you dont like subtitles, dont get it. It's in spanish and it didnt have a dubbing option (which I hate anyway). At least on this edition."

The Best

Ms. Beatriz O. Resendez | Texas | 07/28/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I encourage everyone to see this movie, The Orphanage, this is incredible!!!!!! It gets you glued to the tv!!!!! Its just the best thriller movie and the director is fantastic!!!!!! DEFINITELY WORTH BUYING!!!!!! INCREDIBLE EXCELLENT FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Everyone should have someone there to tuck them in at night.

E. Ambrose | CA, USA | 06/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having the misfortune of an excess of time where I have to remain mostly still, I decided to make the most of it by watching a few horror movies in broad daylight that I will likely never watch otherwise. I like Guillermo del Toro's work overall and I'd heard good things about this movie. I'm happy to say that it did indeed live up to my expectations.

The story concerns Laura who buys her childhood orphanage with the intention of making it into a home for disabled and sick children. Her adopted son goes missing and creepy things happen.

As is typical for stories involving haunted houses, most of the weird stuff is centered around or noticed by the lady of the house. The theorist in me would say something about making the safety/sanctuary of the home into something monstrous and strange and turning nurturing into neglect, but... wait, I have time on my hands. So like many subgenres where the horror involved is the "womb that destroys," Laura's house becomes a place of danger and secrets. The one glitch that I found in the storyline was that Laura didn't go back and take a look at things in the harsh light of day when she wasn't freaked out by strange noises.

I don't usually get surprised by the plot twists in a horror film. For me it's usually the suspense and lead-in to the unknown scary noises in the dark and the little glimpses of shadow out of the corner of the frame. That being said, I did like the idea that someone was trying to make something of a little Eden for kids with bad luck from a former orphanage, a term that usually brings up images of Oliver Twist asking for more soup, child abuse and bureaucratic apathy. It thought it was a nice little play on the standard trope, thought it even better that both Laura and Carlos were dedicated to it and really liked the ending in the context that even the little child spirits would be safe in that place. There is quite a bit of foreshadowing for the rather sad ending with a pinch of happy. The psychic telling Laura that those who are close to death in some way can see ghosts is a major hint to the ending.

The cinematography does an incredibly good job of emphasizing the house as a character. The little human figures are lost and isolated in its architecture and corridors. Hands and children are never immediately apparent the first time you look. Noises with no apparent cause come echoing down the halls. Like any good horror movie, it's what one cannot see that is the most terrifying. Much of the last part of the movie is about Laura being unable to see the things in front of her, although the more astute in the audience might have caught on a while back when they mention that Simon has been missing for 6 months.

The acting is well done, although I would have liked to see more of Carlos's side of things. Since the "house that destroys women" is a fairly standard trope, I would have liked to have seen the secondary effect that Laura's hauntings had on him.

This is definitely a movie one should watch with the lights on. But its an awesome movie for its visual style and care, more than its story."