The Bad Orphan

Without going into all the details of the movie I have to say I really enjoyed this movie. Some people have questioned the story line and the age of Gabby (8) which Gabby later reveales she is 15 (the actress in this movie is really 16/17). After finding this out I can't say how impressed I was with this newcomers first ever movie role. Betsy Brandt and her made a powerful one two punch and kept viewers on the edge of their seats. This movie does not disappoint:)

It also leaves open an opportunity for a sequel as Jessica's character and Gabby's character never had any real closure to their relationship.

Oh so in the very beginning of the movie the writing across the screen said, "The following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event", HOWEVER, this movie came out June 22, 2024 and I am here to tell you that statement is ABSOLUTELY a lie. Here's my reasons behind this, this is almost the EXACT same story as Natalia Grace, I am talking the main part that I seen that wasn't in the case of Natalia Grace was the mom being checked into a mental hospital. Don't believe me? Look up the movie "The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace" then watch every single story about that case and try to tell me I am wrong. I don't tolerate lying from anyone, and while the movie was a good movie, it starts off with a definite LIE!

This was billed as a drama. They should've add the word unbelievable to it. No one believes the actress who played Gabby is 8 years old. So, to start from that premise was ridiculous. The rest of it was a bad borrow from Orphan, which was a real hit thriller from decades ago. The movie has a very uneven start. Jess and Karl have a teen daughter, Rhiannon, who will be off to college in a few years. They will be empty-nesters and Jess' clock is ticking down. She wants to adopt a baby but she is too old so they end up adopting a European orphan who is a special needs child, instead. Gabby is rude and has major problems adjusting to the family. She doesn't want to take a bath, takes stuff from Rhiannon without asking, and gives the family a lot of nasty back talk. As the movie progresses, Gabby does some things that makes Jessica highly suspicious of her thinking she's a threat to the family but is she right? The young lady who played Gabby was in her first movie role and did a fine job. Too bad, she couldn't have been cast in a better movie! Rather disappointing but watchable.

This is a horrible adaptation of the original Orphan movie. The child didn't look eight and the acting wasn't good at all. They should have used someone with a baby face that at least had some childlike features.

There was really no suspense because all the clues were given in the beginning. It talked about her problems and the family's suspicions way too early. It was evident from the beginning that something was off, so there was nothing left to figure out. It seemed rushed and boring.

I don't know what gave the producers the thought that this was a good idea. Very disappointed in the movie.

I wasn't the first, and I'm sure I won't be the last, person here to point out that this is a watered-down version of the two "Orphan" movies starring Isabelle Fuhrman. The similarities are obvious from the very beginning, which ruined the movie for me.

I can usually suspend disbelief with movies, especially the formulaic Lifetime ones. But I could not here. "Gabby" was just too clearly not a young girl, and the connection to the "Orphan" feature films could not be ignored.

Worse, what happens to the mother toward the end of the movie was over the top. It also telegraphed what was going to happen at the end of the movie. Too predictable.

If anyone hasn't seen "Orphan" or its prequel "Orphan: First Kill", find them and watch them. They are so much better than this diluted version.