RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / The Orphanage
The Orphanage

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

The Orphanage (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
86 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:149

Fresh:128

Rotten:21

Average Rating:7.3/10

Consensus: When it seems like every horror movie nowadays is a remake or a grisly exercise in sadism, The Orphanage is a breath of fresh air for critics and audiences alike, seamlessly blending in a poignant tale of loss with the scares and blood.

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

US Box Office: $6,905,218

Synopsis: It might come as no surprise that the producer of the Spanish supernatural thriller THE ORPHANAGE is none other than Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro (PAN'S LABYRINTH, THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE), for... It might come as no surprise that the producer of the Spanish supernatural thriller THE ORPHANAGE is none other than Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro (PAN'S LABYRINTH, THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE), for his influence is felt greatly throughout the picture. Made by an entire crew of newcomers--director Juan Antonio Bayona, screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez, director of photography Oscar Faura, composer Fernando Velazquez--THE ORPHANAGE is an extremely accomplished work. The story concerns Laura (Belen Rueda), who has returned with her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) and adopted child Simon (Roger Princep) to the large manor where she was raised in an orphanage as a child. Laura is determined to fix up the abandoned house and open it as a refuge for ill children. But from the moment she returns, the past begins to haunt her. It isn't long before she begins to see the children who she used to play with as a seven-year-old. And when Simon goes missing one afternoon, she's convinced that they have taken him hostage. What follows is a murky descent into Laura's mind, where she doesn't know what is real and what is a figment of her tortured imagination. Bayona brings Sanchez's complex script to life with the help of Faura's haunting imagery and Valazquez's atmospheric score. But what makes THE ORPHANAGE an even greater achievement is its insistence on being more than just a superficial scare-fest. Bayona and Sanchez are more interested in deeper themes of memory, loss, and grief, establishing Laura as a mother who feels guilt over not being able to protect her child from outside forces. The result is a film that is both unsettling and moving. [More]

Starring: Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Geraldine Chaplin

Starring: Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Geraldine Chaplin

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Screenwriter: Sergio G. Sanchez
Producer: Guillermo Del Toro
Composer: Fernando Velazquez
Studio: Picturehouse

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
    Trailer
    >
    Sergio G. Sanchez & Juan Antonio Bayona
    >
1 - 3 of 3

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for The Orphanage

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

As horror films go, this sits firmly at the classy end of the spectrum.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
06/08/08
Sandra Hall
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Orphanage takes audiences on an eerie, involving and ultimately extremely moving journey into the underworld.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia) | comment Comment
06/08/08
Vicky Roach
Vicky Roach
Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Orphanage is all about atmosphere and giving audiences the heebie-jeebies. And on that level, it really works.

Full Review Source: Sunday Mail (Australia) | comment Comment
06/07/08
Shannon J. Harvey
Shannon J. Harvey
Sunday Mail (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film’s writer and director (both first-timers under the patronage of Pan’s Labyrinth ace Guillermo del Toro) both excel themselves at using familiar scary tricks to bring about totally unforeseen shocks.

Full Review Source: Herald Sun (Australia) | comment Comment
06/07/08
Leigh Paatsch
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Orphanage is a visceral and well-crafted horror film that goes for the heart as well as the mind.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
06/07/08
Dylan Behan
Dylan Behan
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Orphanage goes beyond the superficialities of the average horror movie to delve into more important themes, such as grief and guilt.

Full Review Source: The Australian | comment Comment
06/01/08
David Stratton
David Stratton
The Australian
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It touches on primal stuff in terms of childhood, motherhood and the unknown.

Full Review Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
05/28/08
Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz
At the Movies (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Invisible friends, evil spirits and strange occurrences form part of the threads of this acclaimed %u2026 stylish and subtle film whose imagery lingers

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
05/23/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Spanish horror films have a rich, still underappreciated tradition, but The Orphanage could have been made by any anonymous Hollywood hack

Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment 1 Comment
08/27/09
Fernando F. Croce
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion

However, the creative trust hasn’t forgotten those who love their art served up rich in metaphor and message.

Full Review Source: JWR | comment Comment
07/23/09
S. James Wegg
S. James Wegg
JWR
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
10/18/08
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
10/18/08
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
10/18/08
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: NPR.org | comment Comment
10/18/08
Bob Mondello
Bob Mondello
NPR.org

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/18/08
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
10/18/08
Tom Charity
Tom Charity
CNN.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
10/18/08
Reel.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Daily News | comment Comment
10/18/08
Gary Thompson
Gary Thompson
Philadelphia Daily News

[Director Bayona] has a fine career ahead of him.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
10/18/08
Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
10/18/08
Peter Howell
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Orphanage

August 05, 2009: Fessenden Signs on for Orphanage Remake Opens in new window
New Line's remake of "The Orphanage" has got itself a director: Larry Fessenden, who has written the script with producer Guillermo del Toro. More...

May 15, 2009: Orphanage Duo Reunites for "Powerful Story" Opens in new window
Juan Antonio Bayona and Sergio Sanchez, the director and screenwriter of "The Orphanage," are reteaming on what looks set to be Bayona's second film. More...

March 12, 2009: Bayona Set for Third Twilight Movie Opens in new window
Summit Entertainment has announced that Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona ("The Orphanage") will direct "Eclipse," the third installment in the "Twilight" series. More...

November 14, 2008: Five Favorite Films with Guillermo del Toro
RT caught up with Hellboy II director Guillermo del Toro at the DVD/Blu-ray Launch Event for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, where the celebrated fantasy auteur shared his favorite... More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

85% 85% A Serious Man 19/11
— The Twilight Saga: New… 19/11

What’s Hot On RT

60+ New Moon pics

60+ New Moon pics

You want Twilight images? We got 'em!

Salt trailer

Salt trailer

Angelina Jolie! Espionage! Action!

Scary Xmas Films

Scary Xmas Films

We pick 10 of the best

2012

2012

Emmerich unleashes havoc in these clips

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Can Avatar Make Money? Source: New York Times
54
  • Robert Pattinson Says Breaking Dawn Could Roll in Fall 2010 Source: Collider.com
16
  • Joe Johnston Talks The Wolfman Source: Ain't It Cool News
5
  • Jason Schwartzman Talks Scott Pilgrim Source: Collider.com
0
  • Weekly Ketchup: Abrams eyes Micronauts, Aykroyd as Yogi Bear
99
  • J.J. Abrams Producing Micronauts Movie? Source: Wall Street Journal
11
  • Peter Murphy Filming Twilight Saga: Eclipse Cameo Source: MTV
18
  • David Goyer Promises "Existential" Ghost Rider Sequel Source: MTV
164
  • Emmerich Plans 2012: The TV Series Source: Entertainment Weekly
21
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
42
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: George Clooney's Best Movies
91
  • Critics Consensus: A Christmas Carol Dazzles But Disappoints
43
  • Ho-ho-horror! 10 Scary Christmas Movies
36
  • Weekly Ketchup: Abrams eyes Micronauts, Aykroyd as Yogi Bear
33
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Christmas Carol Tops, Precious Rocks
29
  • Friday Harvest: Prince of Persia, The Road, and more!
25
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
14
  • RT on DVD: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
0
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
14
  • Richard Kelly chats about The Box
1
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
15
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
  • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
14
  • Emma Stone talks Zombieland - RT Interview
40
  • Michael Moore: The RT Interview
139
  • Andrea Arnold talks Fish Tank - RT Interview
4
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • The Orphanage at Rotten Tomatoes
  • The Orphanage at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Oscar nomination for Rockwell?
Oscar nomination for Rockwell? External Link

Join Moon director Duncan Jones' quest to get Sam a nod.

Werewolves Prowl the Movies
Werewolves Prowl the Movies External Link

TIME tells us the tales behind 13 of Hollywood's most famous wolfmen.

The Return of Pee-wee
The Return of Pee-wee External Link

The 57-year-old is headed back to the Playhouse. Details catches up with the iconic star.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter External Link

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.

Competitions
Win Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen and more on DVD
Win Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen and more on DVD External Link

The year's biggest film is here and we're giving away big Transformers prize packs -- including both movies and the animated series.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.