From Dark Castle Productions comes the tale of the angelic Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman, The Hunger Games), a sweet, precocious child who is taken in by the loving Kate (Vera Farmiga, The Departed) and John (Peter Sarsgaard, The Batman). We would describe more, but this shocking, moody masterpiece is a dish best watched cold. When its final twist is played, you’ll want to watch it again … with family.

For thoughts on Orphan, please check out my colleague’s op-ed here.

Video Quality

Orphan comes to Blu-Ray via Scream Factory with a 1080p transfer that is derived from a new 2K scan of the Interpositive. This film was first released on Blu-Ray in 2009 courtesy of Warner Bros. Unfortunately, we don’t have that disc, making comparisons impossible at this time. From what we have read, that release was terrific for the time, but it was during the era of the weaker VC-1 codec, so we are sure things are less impressive 15 years later. Whatever the case may be, this new transfer is a solid representation of the feature with a naturally filmic presentation. That being said, this is one of the more baffling titles as it pertains to the lack of a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release. There are surely improvements here, but the lack of a 4K upgrade will probably make this a less urgent upgrade for most fans.

Any potential print damage has been completely eradicated for a clean and consistent viewing experience. The transfer does not suffer anything in the realm of density fluctuation or other unwanted anomalies. The color palette is very cool, but it unlock a pleasing depth when it comes to clothing, lighting, and specific elements of the production design. Black levels stand firm and provide a strong amount of depth and detail. Highlights hold together well, even if some moments such as the opening dream sequence intentionally blow them out for artistic purposes. The transfer delivers when it comes to showcasing fine detail as subtle textures emerge from the background. The lack of a 4K UHD Blu-Ray is a major bummer, but this new Blu-Ray release is still a winner and should be enjoyed by fans.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with both a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track that represents the feature without a hiccup. The previous Warner Bros. Blu-Ray sported a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track, so any enhancements are likely minimal at most. Environmental noises such as the creaking of floorboards or roaring fires are represented well. The terrific score from John Ottman lends the movie gravitas as it emanates without any hint of damage or distortion.

Dialogue comes through crisply and clearly even when the track gets a bit more thrilling and unpredictable near the end. From bombastic moments like car crashes to more low-key thrills like a plunging knife into flesh, this track delivers. The low end provides some texture that fleshes out the world without being overly aggressive. The audio experience radiates out with confident fidelity. Scream Factory has provided a terrific audio experience that handles this one well. English SDH subtitles are provided for those who want them.

Special Features

Audio Commentaries: This disc provides four new commentary tracks from film critics that beef up the special features list but feel like a bit of overkill in the end when compared to the value provided. Throughout these four tracks, you get some background information, some personal interpretations, and more from longtime fans and newcomers to the movie. If there is going to be this many commentary tracks, at least half should be from someone associated with the film.

- Audio Commentary #1: Film Critics Emily Higgins and Billy Dunham

- Audio Commentary #2: Film Critics Mike Saunders, Jason Bolinger, Tadd Good & Bryan Clark

- Audio Commentary #3: Film Critics Chris Alexander and Ali Chappell

- Audio Commentary #4: Film Critic Heather Wixson

Silent Story – Interview with Composer John Ottman: A new 17-minute interview with the composer who discusses getting involved in the Dark Castle universe, how the temporary track negatively colored his initial impression of Orphan, how he approached different scenes, some of his favorite moments in the film, and more.

Mama’s Little Devils – Bad Seeds and Evil Children: A 15-minute archival featurette is provided in which the cast and creative team discuss the narrative, iconic evil children from throughout horror history, and more.

Deleted Scenes: A four-minute selection of unused footage is provided in letterboxed standard definition. With the movie being as long as it is, it makes sense why these scenes were not included.

Still Gallery: A collection of still photographs, behind-the-scenes photos, and more is provided.

Original Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half-minute trailer is provided here.

Final Thoughts

Orphan is one of the standout horror films of the late 2000s. While it has the veneer of a throwaway studio effort that should be a paycheck film for all involved, there is more to it than that. There is a level of care put forth by director Jaume Collet-Serra that shows a true artistic vision. The movie is thematically impactful on multiple levels as it explores lingering trauma and the fears and guilt of motherhood. Yet it is also a campy delight with this diminutive villain causing gory mayhem with a secret that keeps the movie just as fresh on repeat viewings. All of the performers are going for broke, especially the impressive performance of Isabelle Fuhrman as Esther. The movie is simply a blast. Scream Factory has provided the film with a new Blu-Ray release that delivers a strong A/V presentation and a nice amount of new special features. We are sure this is an upgrade from the old Blu-Ray, but the lack of a 4K UHD release still stings. Recommended

Orphan (Collector’s Edition) will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray on May 14, 2024.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Scream Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.