Remember Orphan? The buzzy 2009 thriller introduced us to a young Isabelle Fuhrman as murderous psychopath Esther, who used her diminutive stature to pose as a foster child. The film’s novel twist earned it a lot of fans and a healthy box office, but it didn’t exactly scream for a follow-up. But we are indeed getting one with Orphan: First Kill, a prequel that delves into the darkness that turned Esther into a killer.
Fuhrman, who is coming off an excellent Indie Spirit-nominated performance in The Novice, returns to the role of Esther. This film goes back to one of Esther’s earliest escapes from an Estonian psychiatric facility. She ends up in the home of a couple mourning the death of their unborn child, but it isn’t long before Esther begins creeping out the matriarch with her dirty deeds.
The film also stars Julia Stiles, Rossif Sutherland, and Matthew Finlan, with William Brent Bell (The Devil Inside) behind the camera in place of Jaume Collet-Serra. I fear for my girl Julia Stiles. Something tells me she won’t survive this one.
Orphan: First Kill opens in theaters and Paramount+ on August 19th.
“Esther’s terrifying saga continues in this thrilling prequel to the original and shocking horror hit, Orphan. After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family. Yet, an unexpected twist arises that pits her against a mother who will protect her family from the murderous ‘child’ at any cost.”
