orphan: first kill spoiler-free review
The tagline of Orphan: First Kill is “there’s always been something wrong with Esther.” It speaks to the sense of dread permeating every frame of the film. No matter where Esther goes, the worst kind of trouble follows. Her every movement and knowing glance is dripping with tension. And as hard as it might be to empathize with the diminutive slasher, there is a tinge of sadness that accompanies her plight. It makes for a mesmerizing viewing experience. It also allows one to overlook that not much happens across the first half of the film other than Esther making her escape and being creepy to a new family of soon-to-be-victims. The stripped-down narrative works due to a distinctively unrelenting sense of atmosphere and style - high praise for a micro-budget horror/thriller.
Isabelle Fuhrman is the featured act and her performance is equal parts spellbinding and unsettling, aided by clever camera work and the low fidelity yet effective shots/techniques the best of the horror genre is known for. Esther presents with a disarmingly charming and faux-aristocratic quality, the same that left such a lasting impression in the 2009 original. Her personality and presence engender trust while also inspiring madness. Couple the preceding with her omnipresent, simmering rage and unexplainable strength and Esther becomes not unlike a tiny Hannibal Lecter. Just as with Lecter, Esther’s identity and existence is rooted in staying one step ahead of those in her immediate vicinity. She views everyone around her with disdain. Must be exhausting.
The twist this time around is more traditional for the genre but does an excellent job of recalibrating character dynamics over the final act. While the brisk pace is appropriate for this type of story, the aforementioned revelation comes so late in the film that the remainder feels rushed. A few extra minutes of runtime would’ve provided the finale time to breathe. The films conclusion wraps things up with a bow, pun intended, and Esther is left right at that point where we met her in the original. It’s quite satisfying which isn’t always the case with prequels. Orphan: First Kill outpaces its genre trappings by sticking to basics and never forgetting why the first film garnered its following. Time to go back and watch Orphan.