A well constructed horror film works in any language. Creepy is after all, creepy. Written and filmed in Spanish and set in South America, The Orphanage proves that precept mightily.
It’s a simple premise–a woman purchases the orphanage she grew up in as a child for the purpose of raising a few physically challenged children. But then things start going wrong. Strange, unsettling events. Her adopted son’s imaginary friends suddenly don’t seem so imaginary. An intruder runs away from the shed with a shovel in the middle of the night. Her son disappears without a trace. Less than twenty minutes in, my poor Spanish skills stopped being an obstacle; the narrative took me away.
The Orphanage is terrifying. Yet the movie also enlightens, because there is a point to the tale–a reason for the madness. Better still, the characters follow their internal script in a believable and engaging fashion. And for all the terror, in a strange sense, it ends on a very bittersweet note. Very satisfying.
What works:
1) Direction. Creative and expert use of narrative story-telling. Shot after shot added to the tension.
2) Story arc. Original and entertaining.
3) Scare factor: If the intensity could be measured on a tachometer, the film continually red lines.
Challenges:
1) Language barrier. Since it is shot in Spanish, reading the subtitles took some adjustment. However, the awkwardness quickly passes.
Verdict: Catch in the theater, full price. Or DVD purchase.