‘Orphan: First Kill’ is just as cunning and clever as its predecessor
Thirteen years after the delirious and dark cult horror movie, "Orphan", director William Brent Bell brings its prequel to theatres "Orphan: First Kill." The plot of the movie is set several years before the events of the first movie, revealing further details on Esther's criminal, dark psyche.
Isabelle Fuhrman transformed into the malicious and deceptively meek 9-year-old Esther so effortlessly, you would almost think no time had passed between the two movies. The amazing visual effects and cinematography make Fuhrman appear a lot younger than she is in reality. While "Orphan" focuses more on the family, she infiltrated, "First Kill" focuses its limelight on Esther.
Jaume Collet-Sera's "Orphan" had one of the most mind-blowing twists a horror movie has offered in this century. You should definitely watch it before diving into this prequel because the movie largely depends on the plot of its predecessor.
In "Orphan: First Kill", Esther pretends to be the kidnapped daughter of a wealthy American family, who has miraculously been set free. Julie Stiles plays Tricia Albright, who is the mother of the kidnapped daughter. She is not as vulnerable and fragile as the mother in the original movie.
Tricia has her own secrets and a certain resilience in her character that make her a worthy opponent to Esther. Each and every actor's performance elevates the suspense and tension in the movie and keeps you at the edge of your seat. The sound effects create an unsettling atmosphere whenever the plot demands. There are some unnecessary scenes in the first half, like the fencing match, but the second half is where the true fun begins.
The film's pacing is smooth, and it is propelled by witty dialogues and campy mayhem, allowing the audience to fully understand what triggered Esther to pick up each of her signature habits. We get a closer look into how Leena moulds herself into Esther after escaping a mental institution in Estonia. It also makes us question whether she is a horrible person at her core or just a broken, hurt human being like all of us. While you are trying to decide whether to take her side or not, a brand-new twist comes out of the blue to throw you off-guard.
The writer and director are aware that "Orphan" satiated the audience's appetite for jump scares, so they leaned towards making this movie ghoulish as well as fun in an eccentric way, making it a successful cult-horror film like its predecessor.
The premise is absurd, yet it will tighten an emotional noose around your neck. Some of the scenes, especially the big reveal at the end, will leave you awestruck even if you already know the twist from the original movie.
Most prequels and sequels are just a cash-grab business, but "First Kill" is an irresistible treat for horror movie lovers. It exceeds all imaginary expectations as it is a movie we did not know we needed.
"Orphan: First Kill" is currently showing at the theatres.