Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Orphan: First Kill is the rare horror prequel that doesn’t tiptoe around its own ridiculousness—it leans in, grins, and somehow comes out sharper, nastier, and more fun for it. Isabelle Fuhrman sells the central illusion with fearless commitment, turning every polite smile and childlike mannerism into something queasily fascinating, while the film’s glossy, upper-crust setting gives the mayhem an extra bite. The vibe is campy and wickedly playful, but it still delivers real tension and a few genuinely surprising turns that keep you off-balance in the best way. It’s not for viewers who want grounded, tasteful horror—this one likes its thrills loud and its premise bold—but if you’re game, it’s a deliriously entertaining ride.

Orphan: First Kill is clearly trying to be a nasty little prequel that leans into pulpy, campy thrills and the “how did Esther become Esther?” hook rather than prestige horror. When it works, it’s because Isabelle Fuhrman commits hard and the movie has enough mean-spirited energy to keep the pace moving, with Julia Stiles bringing some welcome bite. But the story asks you to swallow a lot of convenient behavior and wobbly logic, and once you notice the seams, the tension can turn into unintentional comedy—especially if you’re expecting the tighter shock-and-suspense of the original. If you don’t enjoy twist-driven thrillers that trade credibility for melodrama and violence, this one will likely feel like a stretched-out gimmick with uneven execution.