'Orphan: First Kill' Review: Welcome Home, Esther
Orphan: First Kill marks the return of the ‘Orphan’ franchise, thirteen years after Orphan, but is a prequel to round out the dark story of Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman). Before the havoc she wreaked on the Coleman family of the original film, Esther (or Leena as she is originally named) is in Estonia at the Saarne Institute. She’s a thirty-year-old woman who pretends to be an innocent child. As her escape from Saarne proves, Esther is anything but innocent. She turns her sights to the Albright family (Julia Stiles, Rossif Sutherland, and Matthew Finlan), who quickly learn what Esther is capable of.
Orphan: First Kill is exactly what you want when you decide to watch a movie like this. It’s gory, twisty, and a pure ride from start to finish. The actors take their roles seriously enough to turn in solid performances, but understand that, no matter how earnest they are, there’s something inherently campy about the premise of this film. At a time when many films are trying to be something more than what they are, adding meta jokes and annoyingly overbearing winks at the audience, there’s something admirable about a movie sticking to its guns. Orphan: First Kill is here to be a chaotic and messy return of a horror icon.
Fuhrman effortlessly slips back into the role of Esther, in all her unsettling glory. When the initial reports of this prequel came out, the decision to have Fuhrman return seemed like a mistake. De-aging can be off-putting, as with the effects in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story or The Irishman. However, Orphan: First Kill chose to avoid the issue of de-aging all together by using theatrical tricks like forced perspective to allow Fuhrman to relish in this return to the role that was her breakout. A body double (Kennedy Irwin) was also used to complete the illusion.
The thirteen-year break between Orphan and First Kill gave Fuhrman time to grow as an actor and add a little more “oomph” to the personality of Esther. She seems more sinister in this prequel. It may be due in part to the events of the first film, but that’s not entirely what makes Esther more unnerving this time around. The audience knows what Esther is capable of, but Fuhrman undeniably elevates this role with a confidence that radiates from the screen. It seems that Fuhrman was as excited to put her signature ruffled wrist cuffs back on as audiences were to see her do so. Fuhrman brings the gritty, angry intensity she picked up from The Novice to Orphan: First Kill while allowing herself to let loose and enjoy the film’s campiness. Esther joyriding in a stolen car while the perfect song plays in the background makes it clear that Fuhrman has a firm grasp on this franchise.
Like Prey’s release on Hulu, the decision by Paramount+ to drop Orphan: First Kill on its streaming service with a limited theatrical release feels like a missed opportunity. The movie is filled with moments that beg to be seen with a rowdy group. Whether that’s a packed theatre or an overly-giggly sleepover, Orphan: First Kill is far too much fun to experience alone. Once the major twist occurs, the film devolves into the best kind of madness as it winds its way to the finale. This film could easily be seen as a great lead-up to Halloween season, and it’s a great way to get you in the mood for fall.