7 Horror Thriller Movies Like Orphan

Orphan

The Orphan movie is a 2009 horror-thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The film follows the story of a couple who adopts a nine-year-old girl named Esther from an orphanage, only to find out that she is not as innocent as she seems. The movie explores themes such as the fear of the unknown, the horror of domestic violence, and the dangers of blindly trusting others.

One of the primary reasons why people love The Orphan movie is because of its gripping storyline and shocking twist ending. The film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout its runtime, with unpredictable plot twists and tense moments that leave audiences feeling both scared and intrigued. Additionally, the movie features excellent performances from its cast, particularly from Isabelle Fuhrman, who played the role of Esther. Her portrayal of the villainous child was both eerie and convincing, making her character one of the most memorable and terrifying child antagonists in horror film history.

Another reason why The Orphan movie is so popular is because of its exploration of the dark side of adoption. The film delves into the idea that not all adopted children are innocent or grateful for their new families, and that some may have ulterior motives for wanting to be taken in. This idea is both intriguing and unsettling, making the film stand out in the horror genre.

It’s interesting to note that The Orphan movie was controversial upon its release, with some critics and adoption advocates arguing that it portrayed adopted children in a negative light. However, despite the backlash, the film still managed to become a box office success and has since gained a cult following.

Overall, The Orphan movie is a perplexing and bursty horror-thriller that explores dark themes and keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. Its shocking plot twists, memorable performances, and thought-provoking themes have made it a popular and enduring entry in the horror genre.

If you enjoyed The Orphan movie, there are several other films in the horror-thriller genre that you might also enjoy. Here are some movie recommendations:

  1. The Bad Seed (1956) – This classic horror film also features a sinister child character who is not as innocent as she seems.
  2. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) – This psychological thriller follows the story of a mother who struggles to connect with her son, who exhibits sociopathic tendencies.
  3. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) – This thriller features a nanny who seeks revenge on a family after losing her own child.
  4. The Others (2001) – This supernatural horror film follows a mother and her children who move into a haunted house.
  5. The Innocents (1961) – This classic horror film is about a governess who begins to suspect that the children she is caring for are possessed by the spirits of their former caretakers.
  6. Case 39 (2009) – This horror-thriller is about a social worker who takes in a young girl, only to realize that the child is not what she seems.
  7. Mama (2013) – This supernatural horror film is about two girls who are found in the woods and taken in by their uncle, only to discover that they are being haunted by a ghostly figure.

All of these movies share similar themes to The Orphan and feature unsettling child characters that are not what they seem.

1. The Bad Seed (1956)

The Bad Seed is a classic horror-thriller film from 1956, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. The movie is about a seemingly perfect and adorable eight-year-old girl named Rhoda (Patty McCormack) who lives with her mother Christine (Nancy Kelly) and father Kenneth (William Hopper). However, when a schoolmate of Rhoda’s drowns under mysterious circumstances, Christine begins to suspect that her daughter may be responsible. The movie explores themes of nature versus nurture, psychopathy, and the fear of what lies beneath the surface.

Like The Orphan, The Bad Seed features a young child character who is not what she seems. Rhoda’s seemingly perfect exterior masks a dark and twisted personality that is both unnerving and intriguing to watch. The movie also explores the theme of the dangers of blindly trusting others, as Christine slowly begins to uncover the truth about her daughter.

2. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a psychological thriller directed by Lynne Ramsay, based on the novel of the same name by Lionel Shriver. The film follows the story of Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton), a mother who struggles to connect with her son Kevin (Ezra Miller), who exhibits sociopathic tendencies. As the movie unfolds, we see the events that lead up to a tragedy involving Kevin and his high school classmates.

Like The Orphan, We Need to Talk About Kevin explores the theme of the dangers of adopting a child who is not what they seem. The movie also explores the complex relationship between a mother and her child, and the struggles that can arise when a child does not fit into the mold of what a parent expects.

3. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a psychological thriller directed by Curtis Hanson. The movie is about a nanny named Peyton Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay) who seeks revenge on a family after losing her own child. The movie explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the dangers of inviting a stranger into one’s home.

Like The Orphan, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle features a female antagonist who is not what she seems. Peyton appears to be the perfect nanny, but her true motives are revealed as the movie progresses. The movie also explores the theme of the dangers of blindly trusting others, as the family comes to realize that Peyton is not who she appears to be.

4. The Others (2001)

The Others is a supernatural horror film directed by Alejandro Amenábar. The movie is about a mother named Grace (Nicole Kidman) who lives in a secluded mansion in Jersey with her two children, who have a rare sensitivity to light. As strange occurrences begin to happen in the house, Grace becomes convinced that they are not alone. The movie explores themes of loss, grief, and the fear of the unknown.

Like The Orphan, The Others is a psychological thriller that features a twist ending that leaves viewers questioning what they thought they knew. The movie also explores the theme of the dangers of blindly trusting others, as Grace struggles to come to terms with the truth about her family.

5. The Innocents (1961)

The Innocents is a classic horror film from 1961, directed by Jack Clayton. The movie is about a governess named Miss Giddens (Deborah Kerr) who takes a job caring for two young children in a remote mansion in the English countryside. As she begins to experience supernatural occurrences, Miss Giddens becomes convinced that the house is haunted. The movie explores themes of psychological manipulation, repressed sexuality, and the dangers of the unknown.

Like The Orphan, The Innocents is a psychological thriller that explores the idea that not all children are innocent or grateful for their new families. The movie also features a young child character who is not what they seem and who manipulates those around them for their own purposes.

6. Case 39 (2009)

Case 39 is a horror-thriller directed by Christian Alvart. The movie is about a social worker named Emily (Renée Zellweger) who takes in a young girl named Lilith (Jodelle Ferland), only to realize that the child is not what she seems. As Lilith begins to wreak havoc on Emily’s life, she must race against time to uncover the truth about the child’s past. The movie explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the dangers of adopting a child who is not what they seem.

Like The Orphan, Case 39 features a young child character who is not what they seem and who poses a danger to those around them. The movie also explores the theme of the dangers of blindly trusting others, as Emily slowly uncovers the truth about Lilith’s past.

7. Mama (2013)

Mama is a supernatural horror film directed by Andrés Muschietti. The movie is about two young girls who are found in the woods and taken in by their uncle and his girlfriend, only to discover that they are being haunted by a ghostly figure that they call “Mama.” The movie explores themes of motherhood, loss, and the fear of the unknown.

Like The Orphan, Mama is a psychological thriller that features a young child character who is not what they seem. The movie also explores the theme of the dangers of blindly trusting others, as the family comes to realize that they may have unwittingly invited an evil presence into their home.

IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomato scores for the movies:

Movie TitleIMDb RatingRotten Tomato Score
The Bad Seed (1956)7.576% (Audience)
We Need to Talk About Kevin7.575% (Critics)
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle6.663% (Critics)
The Others (2001)7.683% (Critics)
The Innocents (1961)7.896% (Critics)
Case 39 (2009)6.223% (Critics)
Mama (2013)6.265% (Critics)

Overall, all the movies are gripping and unsettling movies that explore themes of trust, betrayal, and the fear of the unknown. They all feature young child characters who are not what they seem and who pose a danger to those around them, and like The Orphan, they will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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