Orphan

If you're looking for a decent horror film, flaws included, then "Orphan" is the film for you. This spine-tingling film does have its errors, but its jaw-dropping ending is well worth its mistakes. There was an equal mix of good and bad that this film offered, which is why it made a satisfactory horror film.

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, "Orphan" tells the story of a married couple, Kate and John, who have just lost their baby. Struggling to get back on their feet, the two decide to adopt a child. When the two pay a visit to the orphanage, both find what seems to be a sweet, young girl named Esther rather compelling. However, as soon as they bring Esther into their home, a number of unexpected events go awry. When Kate begins to think that Esther is not the innocent girl they thought, she attempts to show her family what she sees in order to ensure their safety. Kate must prove it to her family, who continue to dismiss her ideas, before anything else goes wrong.

The film stars Vera Farmiga as Kate Coleman, Peter Sarsgaard as her husband John Coleman, Isabelle Fuhman as Esther, CCH Pounder as Sister Abigail, Jimmy Bennett as Daniel Coleman and Margo Martindale as Dr. Browning. Also featured in this film are Karel Roden, Aryana Engineer, Rosemary Dunsmore and Lorry Ayers.

Writers David Johnson and Alex Mace have created a dark and edgy screenplay that will send shivers down your spine. While the evil child story has been done a number of times, Johnson and Mace have done so in an original and clever, never-seen-before way. And what's better than a cast who delivers the lines you've written with such precision? Saarsgard and Farmiga are outstanding in their roles as husband and wife. The cinematography and intense sound effects are also absolutely outstanding.

However, this movie falters in its pacing and a few scares. In the beginning, it takes quite a bit of time to get the film moving at a good pace. In addition, many, but not all, of the scares are expected and exhibit a pinch of predictability.

What "Oprhan" lacks in good timing and a few selected scares, it makes up in its brilliant script with a genius ending and superb acting.