The Bad Orphan

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!

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.

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.

For some people saying this is "unbelievable", I don't think they realize it is based on a true story , the Natalia Grace case. It is not based on the movie Orphan. However, in the real story of Natalia Grace the circumstances were much more complicated and the parents were involved in a lot of shady business to get her re-aged.

As far as this movie, unlike the real story, the make it seem like the parents are perfect angels who were duped. I feel like they should have kept more to the real story and made the parent's motivations a bit more nuanced.

The acting was not that great. I actually looked up the main actress because her acting is horrible. I do see where she has been part of a lot of other projects but not as a lead. I don't think she was ready for a lead actress role yet. Her acting was very wooden and she had the same expression the whole movie. The movie seemed a bit miscast overall.

The writing and scenery was ok. Typical lifetime movie. The story is interesting and I was able to watch it. It just was mediocre.

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.