Customer Reviews
the twist is worth the watch - By: Ms. A. L. Campbell, 12 Sep 2008 
I'd heard the name going round at work, but when i woke up one morning & heard the local dj on the radio discussing this film, i knew it was time to give it a go. I read reviews which laid it out to be terrifying, so i approached it with an open mind. It is chilling, & there's a few clues early on that make you think you've guessed the twist. You haven't. And when it's revealed it makes your jaw drop to the floor. And then you'll sit there thinking about it. This film is brilliant, the subtitles are not a hindrance. Watch it!!
Not "this years Pan's Labyrinth" - By: Markus Gossas, 05 Sep 2008 
This movie is unfortunately not "this years Pan's Labyrinth", as it says on the cover of the DVD (R1). Pan's Labyrinth is superiorin every way. In fact, talking about horror films by spanish directors, I also think The Others is a better movie. But The Orphanage is not a bad move. It is skillfully filmed & easily evokes horror by small means (there is very little blood & gorein this film). It contains suspense, horror & some tragedy. But I also find it flawed. The characters are one-dimensional & the use of music is too much. This is a suspenseful entertainment, but not a film I will have to re-watch. 3.5 stars.
Another masterpeice - By: Mr. A. Joul, 05 Sep 2008 Only a few scarey momentsin this film but Guillermo del toro films tend to be more about story telling for me. If you like fables/great stories told by a master of film making then look no further! buy this (his films the way they are shot & told seem to get better & better), if your looking for true horror then look elsewhere.
brilliant story - By: Ms. J. Lee, 05 Sep 2008 
I saw this last night & I was very impressed it. I think it uses the idea of 'unreliable narrator' very well as, right up until the final climax, you are left wondering if this is a story about ghosts or a delusional breakdown & simple case of children's games. In this way, it reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth.
I thought the acting was good, especially 'Laura.' I particularly enjoyed the fact that, unlike Hollywood schlock, the child actor was believable and, well, childlike. I would have to say, as other reviewers have said, that it doesn't fit neatly into the 'horror' genrein the way that 'Turn of the Screw' by Henry James doesn't fit neatly into literary 'horror.' It simply works on more levels than straight horror.
I would recommend this film highly.
Disturbing - By: Robert Machin, 01 Sep 2008 Tremendous piece of work. Properly scaryin places with some excellent out of the seat moments, but much, much more than a fright-fest. Genuinely moving, with some great performances, particularly by Belen Rueda as Laura. Excellent, thoughtful story too, which really drives the horror & fearin the movie, rather than being a poor excuse for it (making it quite suitable for children of 13 or so upwards - there's no gratuitous horrorin this film, & a surprisingly reassuring resolution). Beautifully & atmospherically filmed too, clearly carrying the imprint of Guillermo del Toro & much of the feel of Pan's Labyrinth. Highly recommended.
