The Orphan Killer (2011)

The Age of Commercialism

Nice effects though.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

"The Orphan Killer" is a modern slasher horror that builds upon the classic elements of psycho killer lore with thoughtful, surreal aesthetics and brutal blood-spilling force. The film is directed by Matt Farnsworth and stars Diane Foster, David Backus, Matt Farnsworth, James McCaffrey. The film has one of the coolest and cruelest killers in the slasher genre. The story follows Audrey Miller and her homicidally delusional brother Marcus Miller. Siblings whose world is turned upside down by a home invasion that leads to the murder of their parents. Orphaned then separated, the two kids lives lead in very different directions. One prospers in the community while the other becomes a monster of urban legend that haunts the halls of the orphanage. Audrey soon faces her past with excruciatingly painful objectivity. The story of "The Orphan Killer" is truly a modern, creative one with a new evil stepping up to the horror plate creating a nightmare perfectly framed in the aspects of religious grandiosity. There are certain little moments that take from various elements of the story's slasher genre past that act more to highlight and pay tribute to Matt Farnsworth love of the genre, moments that are best left for the fan to discover than to point out in this review. I just have to say that even though I noticed small moments that are reminiscent of some horror classics, pretty much every aspect of this film has a unique feel and vision all it's own. "The Orphan Killer" does truly offer up a new nightmare killer and powerfully intimidating horror icon. The acting and visual style of "The Orphan Killer" somehow blends the surreal and American grindcore cinema techniques effortlessly. The continuity and unease of atmosphere that echoes through the film provides a nonstop intense, chilling ride into hell. There were moments in the film I had to look away from the graphic display, not from a weak stomach but because the seen was so intense I needed a moment of relief. The characters in "The Orphan Killer" are straight forward, grounded characters and yet there are some moments in the story that display widely unnatural behavior-but I am not Catholic, nor did I grow up in a Catholic world so I don't know if nuns really fantasize about sucking cock. Maybe they do. Anyway this movie is pretty epic in it's storytelling, artistic style and character integrity both with the killer and the protagonist. "The Orphan Killer" is truly one of those great indie horror films that gets it all right. The story is morbid, dark and intense. The acting and action is thrilling from almost the word go. The kill sequences and special effects are gruesome and realistically unsettling. The soundtrack rocks and the The Orphan Killer himself is a true, terrifying force of evil that isn't easily forgettable. This film is definitely one to see for all horror fans.

Here is the deal, if you have been reading the reviews on IMDb it is a wacky mix of amazing to shat. Personally, I think this flick is one of the better DIY slashers to come out in a damn long time. The fact that this has gotten good press from reliable sources doesn't necessarily make it a great movie. Every critic, genre nerd and movie buff has their own opinion on what makes a good slasher and that is the way it will always be. The Orphan Killer IMHO is a modern classic in terms of slasher formula. It is a perfect example of stalk and slash working flawlessly. I haven't wrote many reviews because I typically voice my opinion on the boards of the films but the mixed bag needed to be justified. Do not watch this just because of people shilling out masturbatory invites of the movie, if it looks like a movie you will enjoy then watch it. My 9 star rating is justified because I can re-watch it numerous times without being let down.I have invited many friends over to screen this movie in a theater room and it never disappoints my friends who share similar tastes. Plain and simple you are getting great DIY effects, nudity and formulaic slasher stereotypes. If you are not a fan of bloody stalk and slash horror than skip this by all means. However, if you are looking for a modest attempt at an original killer you need to see this. Marcus Miller is a great movie monster who shares the same motive as classic killers. Check it out and form your own opinion!

A lot of hype on this one and that hype is a fabricated smoke-screen that hides a mediocre low budget slasher flick. The only "tour de force" is the methods that the film makers have undertaken to bring recognition to this not awful but not particularly original slasher film. It DOES NOT "defy classification" folks...it's a slasher flick. That's pretty standard stuff. The wheel hasn't been reinvented here. It also DOES NOT go any measure of length "beyond current trends in gore" nor does it "break open a new suffering genre of horror". That being said, it's not the steaming pile of rubbish many angry viewers have portrayed it as. There is A LOT of anger from users on here about this movie and it's justifiable. The film maker went out of their way to paint this as some sort of movie that sets the bar. As if this movie would be the new standard that we measure horror by. When a film maker puts that sort of unrealistic pressure on their movie then there's a lot to live up too. Unfortunately, this movie cannot stand up to a number of obstacles in it's path. Namely, acting, budget, special effects, score, and pacing are all very amateur. The pacing and cinematography are some of the worse I've seen in some time. The ending is certainly a theme recycled over and over and over... For a good laugh...go read some of the better user reviews that found this movie to be the next big thing. Then go read their comments on other movies. 90% of them only did one review and this was it. That's what you call guerrilla marketing folks....and that's where this movie succeeded very well at. Call it Blair Witch Part II...

Finally, finally there comes along an independent horror film worth watching. It would be easy to look at the description and dismiss this as just another slasher film, but it's not. For an independent film, it's clear that they had a decent budget, and that the filmmakers were truly passionate about the project.I'm not going to go too much into the plot, because it's fairly straightforward, but the kills and gore are excellent, and this film has a level of pure brutality that sometimes makes you cringe, especially when the killer is torturing his sister. It's very intense, and actress Diane Foster is a real trooper, given what Director Matt Farnsworth puts her through.I highly encourage everyone NOT to listen to the haters out there who are trashing this film simply because their film didn't make it. This is a good, independent film that delivers, as opposed to the hundreds of indie horror films out there that look exactly like they were shot in someone's backyard for $500.I admit that I am every so slightly biased because this movie was filmed in my old elementary school, as well as several other places throughout my hometown, but that just adds to the experience for me.Give "The Orphan Killer" a chance. You will NOT be disappointed!