ORPHAN: FIRST KILL

Isabelle Fuhrman

ORPHAN: FIRST KILL (2022). Director: William Brent Bell. 

In this prequel to Orphan, a psychotic young lady (Isabelle Fuhrman) escapes from a mental institution overseas, and manages to take the place of a missing American child named Esther to the initial joy of the family. "Esther" now has a new mother (Julia Chiles), father (Rossif Sutherland), with whom she falls in love, and older brother Gunnar (Matthew Finlan). Unfortunately for Esther a child psychologist (Samantha Walkes) and a Detective Donnan originally assigned to the case (Hiro Kanagawa), have their suspicions. But they may not have them for long.

Rossif Sutherland

Since the big reveal of the first film (which actually takes place after this film) is no longer a secret, First Kill has come up with its own twists and surprises. These may be a bit far-fetched, but they work within the confines of this type of horror picture. Isabelle Furhman is excellent as the clever and crazy Esther, but she is not a child actress any longer, being 23 or so when she filmed this prequel. (In the first film she was about 12.) Julia Stiles offers a terrific performance in a difficult role, and she is matched by Sutherland (son of Donald) and Finlan. The action and murder sequences are well-staged and the film moves at a brisk pace.

Verdict: A sequel/prequel that is as entertaining as the original. ***. 

ORPHAN

Such a lovely child: Isabelle Fuhrman

ORPHAN (2009). Director: Jaume Collet-Serra. 

After Kate (Vera Farmiga of Godzilla, King of the Monsters) and her husband, John (Peter Sarsgaard) lose a daughter in the womb, they decide to adopt a sweet nine-year-old girl, Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), from the Ukraine. Esther seems to get along with her little deaf sister, Maxine (Aryana Engineer), although her older brother, Danny (Jimmy Bennett), is not as happy with her. Gradually Kate, a reformed alcoholic whose drinking led to Maxine's deafness, becomes convinced that there is something very wrong with Esther after some disturbing incidents, and makes up her mind to discover her true origins. Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder), who ran the orphanage where her new parents first encountered Esther, tells Kate that she may have reasons for concern. Then someone takes a hammer to the nun's head and beats her bloody and dead ... 

Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard

Orphan is a clever and suspenseful "paranoia" film that starts out like a modern version of The Bad Seed -- a better movie -- but turns out to be something perhaps even more diabolical, becoming more sinister with each sequence. Farmiga and Sarsgaard offer convincing performances and young Isabelle Fuhrman, only 12-years-old at the time, is nothing short of miraculous. Pounder is as wonderful as ever as the ill-fated sister. There are some illogical moments, and little Aryana Engineer, while adorable, isn't really an actress, but the film has a thrilling climax and its shock-cut moments are effectively handled. The revelation at the end channels a famous short story by, I believe, Ray Bradbury. The movie may have influenced a real-life couple to claim that their adoptive Ukrainian daughter was -- well, that would be telling.  

Verdict: Creepy and absorbing suspense-thriller with a nifty twist and a nun-kill. ***.