Orphan

A 2009 psychological slasher film resulting from an international collaboration between the United States, Canada, Germany, and France, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, it tells the story of a married couple, Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John Coleman (Peter Sarsgaard), who are grieving the loss of their unborn child. In an attempt to fill the void, they decide to adopt a nine-year-old girl named Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) from a local orphanage. Initially, Esther appears to be a charming and well-mannered child, quickly bonding with their younger daughter Max (Aryana Engineer), who suffers from hearing loss. However, as time passes, Kate begins to notice disturbing signs in Esther's behavior: the girl exhibits knowledge and actions beyond her years, as well as a propensity for manipulation and cruelty. The situation escalates when Esther poses a threat to the family's safety, including their older son Daniel (Jimmy Bennett). Kate's efforts to uncover Esther's past lead to a shocking revelation: Esther is actually an adult woman named Leena Klammer, suffering from hypopituitarism, a rare hormonal disorder that causes dwarfism and allows her to masquerade as a child. Leena has a history of criminal activities, including the murders of previous adoptive families. The final confrontation between Kate and Leena culminates in a dramatic showdown on a frozen lake, where Kate must fight for her family's survival. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but Isabelle Fuhrman's performance was highly praised. The movie grossed approximately $78.8 million worldwide against a budget of $20 million. In 2022, a prequel titled "Orphan: First Kill" was released, with Fuhrman reprising her role as Leena.