Orphan: First Kill

critic Reviews

, 72% Fresh Tomatometer Score
  • Leaning into its ludicrous premise, Orphan: First Kill is a sequel that holds its own -- and for fans of campy horror, may even represent an improvement on the original.
  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Scott TobiasThe Reveal
    Its creators understood that the job demands clearing a high bar for crazy, which inspires a go-for-broke pulp energy that’s appealingly ragged.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Paul ByrnesSydney Morning Herald
    Orphan: First Kill would not pass logical examination by a reasonably sentient teenager, but it has fun with its materials and does not lose sight of its one governing idea -- that every family is weird in its own peculiar way.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Stephen RomeiThe Australian
    While there is a fair bit of blood left on the walls, floor and elsewhere, this is more of a psychological thriller than a slasher flick, and is far the better for it.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Kristy PuchkoMashable
    This sinister sequel can't compare to its older sister flick, but it's not without its own ghoulish goodies.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Amy NicholsonFilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)
    Julia Stiles really goes for broke as the mother in this movie, which I really appreciate.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    K. Austin CollinsRolling Stone
    The pleasure of watching Esther out of her league is its own satisfaction, even given the dullness otherwise -- and even given the promise that some mistakes are bound to be repeated.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    John SerbaDecider
    Credit the screenplay for staying a step ahead of us and not being too predictable; ding the director for not delivering a single memorable kill.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Jonathan SimComingSoon.net
    Because of poor creative choices and dull direction, Orphan: First Kill is a misfire of a prequel that recycles the same tropes and masks it with a few surprising plot twists.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Paul MountStarburst
    The new twist is glorious, utterly wrong-footing both its audience and Esther and the melodrama that plays out is positively Gothic in its unashamed high-camp absurdity.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Jonathan DeHaanNightmare on Film Street
    Orphan: First Kill falls into the same overworked template that claims so many horror prequels. It’s working to a conclusion that’s out in the wide open and it fails to do much more than remind you of something you already enjoyed.
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