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Sure, it takes ideas from movies like THE BAD SEED, THE OMEN, and THE GOOD SON.  Sure it has the irritating plot element where one person knows what's really going on, but NOBODY ELSE WILL BELIEVE IT'S TRUE NO MATTER HOW MUCH EVIDENCE EXISTS AND IS SHOVED IN THEIR FACES!

That being said, I enjoyed this movie as a piece of "don't try to rationalize it" entertainment.  What makes the movie really work is Isabelle Fuhrman's performance as Esther.  Without such a creepy, believable performance, the numerous cliches would have overpowered the rest of the movie.  Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard are also good as the parents.

This movie is not especially gory, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere.  However, it is creepy and suspenseful and better than most of the so-called "horror movies" I've seen in the past few years.  

*** SPOILER ***

One thing that bugged me is they made a big deal about Esther always wearing wrist bands and a neck band and refusing to take them off.  However, there's a sequence where she breaks her arm and goes to the hospital.  Wouldn't the doctor have removed her wrist band to take x-rays and put on her cast?

 :thumbup:

Wife and I went hoping for a 'so bad it's funny' experience, and were surprised by how effective it was.

Some friends of mine told me that Orphan was much better than they thought it would be. They also said that the trailer didn't do the movie any favors of which I agree.  I'll check this one out on dvd at some point.

This "psychotic child" movie succeeds in many ways that DEVIL TIMES FIVE failed (see my post in the "Bad Movies" forum).  Believe me, Isabelle Fuhrman is much scarier than Leif Garrett!

I really enjoyed this one, 1 of the best movies of the year so far.  :thumbup:  :teddyr:

I'll catch this when it comes out on DVD, sadly though, I read an article somewhere that I think spoiled the surprise of the film.  (That or maybe it was talking about a different movie and I'm getting confused...)

I finally saw this one this weekend and LOVED it!  I did not see the plot twist at the end coming at all, and overall found this to be one very effective and scary movie!  I think Esther trumps all the other "creepy kid" characters I have ever seen, and oddly enough, the scene with the pigeon bothered me more than the murders did.


EXCELLENT film!  Check it out if you haven't!

I just bought the DVD with the "chilling alternate ending" in the special features section.  The theatrical ending is better (although definitely more "mainstream").  In fact, the alternate ending is more like a "non ending."

Hey, just watched this with my parents and it was pretty good!  I have to admit though, there were some quibbles, as others have mentioned the whole "one person knows what's going on, but no one will believe them" type thing.  Not to mention the fact that hypothermia does not seem to exist in whatever universe this film takes place in.  (I'm not expert, seem to me like if feel through ice into freezing water, it would effect you slightly.)

Still, it was a very effective film, and Isabelle did a great job playing Ester.  Be neat to see what she does in the future.  

Neat fact: according to the imdb, she lost a role in the film Case 39, to one Jodelle Ferland, another talent young girl who's played her share of creepy roles (Mary in Kingdom Hospital and Alessa in Silent Hill).

I didn't see the alternate ending though, can someone send me a message telling me what happened?  

(Mild spoiler below)

Love that whole "normal picture/turn on the black light" sequence. Are those easy to do?  Gotta try that sometime...