Orphan
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Family values are also put to the test in this surprisingly effective summer shocker, which plays off the age-old fear of inviting horror into your home.
The marriage of John and Kate Coleman (Peter Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga) is on the rocks after the third pregnancy for Kate, a problem drinker, ends in tragedy. The couple already have daughter Max (Aryana Engineer) and son Daniel (Jimmy Bennett), but they really want a third child. They decide to try again, but this time going the adoption route.
They welcome home Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), a nine-year-old Russian with intense eyes. Max takes to her immediately, but Daniel is wary — and with good reason. Esther swears a lot and knows way more about sex than she should.
The suspense builds well, aided by strong performances by Sarsgaard and Farmiga, who improve every movie they’re in. Orphan redeems the horror career of director Jaume Collet-Serra, who previously helmed the simply awful Paris Hilton vehicle, House of Wax.
Extras include additional scenes and an alternate ending.
