Cast
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Isabelle Fuhrman
as Leena Klammer / Esther Albright
Julia Stiles
as Tricia Albright
Rossif Sutherland
as Allen Albright
Hiro Kanagawa
as Detective Donnan
Matthew Finlan
as Gunnar Albright
Samantha Walkes
as Dr. Segar
David Lawrence Brown
as Dr. Novotny
Lauren Cochrane
as Officer Leahy
Gwendolyn Collins
as Anna Troyev
Kristen Sawatzky
as Federica
Jeff Strome
as Lobby Guard
Andrea del Campo
as Betsy
Alec Carlos
as Mike
Alicia Johnston
as Karen
Liam Stewart-Kanigan
as Dude 1
Crew
Director
- William Brent Bell
Producer
- James Tomlinson
- Ethan Erwin
- Hal Sadoff
- Alex Mace
Reviews
CinemaSerf
"Esther" (Isabelle Fuhrman) is the resident of an high security facility in Estonia where she is a distinct danger to anyone who crosses her path! Rather gorily, she engineers a daring escape and somehow manages to get to the United States where she convinces "Allen" (Rossif Sutherland) that she is his long lost daughter. Well whilst dad might be fooled, the wife "Tricia" (Julia Stiles) and her son "Gunnar" (Matthew Finlan) soon catch on - but it seems that they have secrets of their own to keep. Can an uneasy truce prevail between them? Well, no - of course not but frankly I really couldn't have cared less. She is all too readily accepted into the wealthy American family (no DNA tests with her father to verify?) and as the story plods along, it loses any grasp on plausibility. We are required to believe that "Esther" is this epitome of evil, but the plot has more holes than a Swiss cheese so I kept asking myself just how any of this could ever actually happen - even in cinema land. It does have the benefit of being quite short, and to be fair to director William Brent Bell, he doesn't hang around once what passes for the story gets going. I just found the whole thing too nonsensical and the lead character had more of a petulance to her than any believable sense of menace.
Aug 29, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Orphan: First Kill presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director William Brent Bell brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2022, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Orphan: First Kill took approximately 32 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $10.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 99 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 124 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 44 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2022, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Orphan: First Kill shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Street Mobster, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Orphan: First Kill subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like King of the Ants and Shadow of a Doubt explore similar territory, Orphan: First Kill stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: July 27, 2022
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Revenue: $9,572,765
Where to Watch
