Orphan: First Kill – A Ridiculously-Campy Prequel (Early Review)

Whether or not one has seen 2009’s Orphan, everyone more or less knows its big twist revolving its main character but was anyone truly wanting more? For those wondering how Esther got to America, cue Orphan: First Kill, a prequel that isn’t really a prequel that at least answers that question. Perhaps not leaving the same body count as the previous film, this prequel feels more like a thriller than a horror film for better or worse. Leaning more towards camp, it admittedly gets ridiculous at times, however, it still delivers a decent watch. Isabelle Furhman certainly does not miss a beat as Esther, however, the film also handcuffs her by taking her and it in a direction that doesn’t work and is ultimately where the film will live or die (no pun intended). While it won’t be for everyone, it nevertheless still brings plenty of tension and suspense in a finished product that overall does just enough to get by. That being said, many will be left wanting more.

As mentioned, Orphan: First Kill sees a pre-Esther (Furhman) use every ounce of her cunning to escape an Estonian psychiatric facility before travelling to America to impersonate the missing daughter of the wealth Albright family. Already having a history of using her condition to impersonate young girls to take advantage of unsuspecting families, there was something about this family was different. Becoming Esther, viewers essentially know her methods but even with that predictability factor, there is still some tension to be had. She tried to ingratiate herself with the Albrights, however, there was always something wrong about her. Perhaps blinded by their grief, Tricia (Styles) and Allen Albright (Sutherland) couldn’t quite see it. However, that tipping point was only inevitable as the walls were coming in on Esther. How the film handles that moment will surely be divisive. It takes the tone and flips it on its head seemingly with a flick of a switch and only adds to its ridiculous nature. A pointless detour away from what some viewers may expect, some may also find entertainment within the ridiculousness. However for the most part, it is a challenge.

Being a prequel, the end of Orphan: First Kill shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone. Meanwhile, the film doesn’t do enough to stand out amongst other recent films in the genre nor justify its existence. Its only connection to the previous film is the character of Esther but it does next to nothing with her as the first two thirds of the film drag under the weight of a dull plot until it eventually ratchets up the intensity in an albeit contrived way over the course of a devolving and overly camp final third that doesn’t work. Most viewers will simply find themselves waiting for something to happen. Although it may be silly, it’s more interesting than what preceded it. In the end, while the film doesn’t necessarily leave a body count in its wake though makes the most out of the moments it does have, stretches of unintentionally bad dialog will likely elicit more laughter than anything else.

In spite of its issues, what undeniably shines through is Furhman as Esther. She makes Orphan: First Kill still watchable though the film doesn’t let her do much which is kind of disappointing. She still has that same screen presence though the measures the film takes to ensure that are silly be it forced perspective or other actors wearing platform shoes to maintain a height difference. Showing some vulnerability kept things interesting but it was all for naught. Styles, in a departure of a role, is painful as Tricia Albright while Sutherland is okay while not offering all that much as Allen Albright.

At the end of the day, Orphan: First Kill is merely a generic thriller that will appeal to fans of the original film and not too many else.

still courtesy of VVS Films

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.