“The Orphanage” is Hispanic director Juan Antonio Bayona’s foray into the world of supernatural horror. “Pan’s Labyrinth” director Guillermo Del Toro produced the film, running with first-timer Sergio Sanchez’s moody script. The film received mainstream recognition through numerous critics’ choice awards and a successful North American theatrical run throughout the early Spring. “The Orphanage” arrived on DVD April 22.
The story follows married couple Laura and Carlos, and their adopted son, Simon. Early in the film, the family moves into a labyrinthine ex-orphanage previously attended by Laura (Belen Rueda). The family intends to open the orphanage as a home for special needs children. Before their operation can get even get started, Simon (Roger Princep), who suffers from a life-threatening disease, disappears. As their intentioned plans fall apart, Laura and her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) are put through a harrowing quest to find their child. In order to discover the secrets that surround Simon’ disappearance, Laura must first unravel the haunted memories of the orphanage’s deadly past.
The film thrives on the mature “ghost story for adults” subject matter, intertwining grown-up family drama with creepy “boo” moments, and even traditional murder mystery elements. As the mystery unwinds, it’s hard to detach Laura’s increasing anxiety and loss of sanity from the horrors that are revealed in the depths of the orphanage. Ghastly whispers and sporadic images flash across the screen, but it’s the reality of the dire situation that jars the viewer – the real horrors aren’t in the supernatural terror, but in the atrocities committed by our fellow man.
The film follows loosely in the footsteps of the modern ghost stories, tracing themes from films like “The Others”, “The Ring”, and classics in the vein of “The Omen”. Bayona has a definite grasp on the nuances and necessities of this kind of filmmaking, and never leaves the audience feeling cheated; all the necessary questions are answered. He joins Del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron (“Children of Men”), and Alejandro Inarritu (“Babel’) as one of the leading current Hispanic filmmakers.
“The Orphanage” is a must-watch for its eerie ambiance, meticulously orchestrated score, and ethereal cinematography. This is a horror movie that demands more than a pulse from its audience. If you find your horror thrills with buckets of gore and sex-starved teenagers, you might want to pass. This one’s for the grown-ups.
