Paramount+’s “Orphan: First Kill” – Esther is Back, But Not Better Than Ever… [Review]

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE YET TO SEE ORPHAN: FIRST KILL, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

The original film Orphan was a sleeper hit all the way back in 2009 and it has become somewhat of a cult classic since its release.  This is mostly due to the fact that the character of Esther has become an iconic horror villain and the twist at the end was so shocking and ridiculous, that people couldn’t stop talking about it.  But, when revisiting the original film, it’s hard not to recognize that what comes before its batshit crazy last act, was mostly a mundane and forgettable little thriller. 

So, when I heard they were revisiting this character in a prequel film… I was hesitant but cautiously optimistic.  And then I heard that William Brent Bell, who helmed such horror travesties such as Separation, Stay Alive and The Devil Inside was taking the reins on the project… and any ounce of hope I had for it, was completely squashed.

WHAT IS ORPHAN: FIRST KILL ALL ABOUT?

After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family. What turns into a simple plan of exploitation, ends up becoming far more complicated as the family starts to question whether she is their beloved daughter or not.

HOW ARE THE DE-AGING EFFECTS ON OUR LEAD?

The biggest question mark going into this film was how they were going to pull off the de-aging effects for our lead.  Isabelle Fuhrman was one of the main reasons that the first film worked as well as it did.  The young actress was able to pull off being wise beyond her years and also, just truly terrifying.  But, Fuhrman was ten when the cameras rolled on Orphan… and now she is twenty-five.  Bell decided to go a more practical route, rather than going full-on CGI… using techniques that Peter Jackson did with the Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings.

Whether that was due to budgetary constraints or just a creative decision, I’m not sure.  But, it surprisingly works.  At least well enough that you can suspend your disbelief for the duration of the runtime.  They also play with the idea that the audience knows she’s an actress who is older than she’s supposed to be.  So, the filmmakers were at least able to pull off what was easily one of their biggest hurdles going into production. But, how is the film itself?

WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS IN THE FILM?

Unfortunately, Orphan: First Kill is a bit of a drag, but I guess it could have been a lot worse.  The best thing it has going for it, is a game cast with Isabelle Fuhrman, once again bringing on the heebie-jeebies.  And her sparring with Julia Stiles conjures some of the movie’s best moments.  The dynamic between this mother and faux-daughter is uncomfortable, awkward, and will make you squirm in your seat.  Which I suppose is exactly what we want to be doing when watching an Orphan film. The prequel also has a twist of its own, and while not nearly as flabbergasting as the original’s, it does provide a way for the story to take an intriguing new route, rather than copying the first’s beat-by-beat.  

IS THERE ANY FUN TO BE HAD WITH ORPHAN: FIRST KILL?

I just wish that this movie was having more fun with its premise.  The first had to be more grounded in its approach in order to make that twist work as well as it did.  Then once they dropped the bomb, the filmmakers went full-on ludicrous and insane… embracing every ounce of its schlocky horror roots.  Vera Farmiga‘s infamous F-bomb line and all.  But, now that we are all pretty much in on Esther’s dirty little secret, I yearned for Bell to just let loose and allow his freak flag to fly in First Kill.  Yet, sadly the film feels extremely restrained and even worse, bland.  It’s like William Brent Bell fell asleep halfway through production because the movie as a whole lacks any energy or momentum.  It just kind of chugs along until it hits its underwhelming conclusion.  

IS IT, AT LEAST, SCARY?

Even though I wasn’t expecting to be scared in this movie, I was at least anticipating some tension or thrills.  And First Kill is a dud in that department as well.  While there is far more than one kill in the movie, contrary to what the title suggests… None of them are inspired or shocking, they are more just a little bloody and stabby.  Gorehounds will be let down, while general audiences might be appalled… so, no one really wins here.

DO WE GET FURTHER INSIGHT INTO THE CHARACTER OF ESTHER?

Finally, one of my biggest issues here, is that First Kill doesn’t add any further insight into this character.  Usually, the whole point of doing a horror prequel is to allow the audience to see the origin of the evil.  In the case of this movie, the beginning of Esther’s tirade against humanity has already begun and we start the story off with her in a psychiatric ward.  This was totally a missed opportunity.  Now, please don’t take this as me pining for a prequel to this prequel… sorry, but the filmmakers already blew their chance here.

One day William Brent Bell will surprise the hell out of all of the critics and naysayers, and make a solid, entertaining film.  But, today is not that day. 

Orphan: First Kill will be in select theaters and Streaming on Paramount+ on August 19th, 2022.

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