Orphan
6.8/10
jumps
6
gore
4
dread
4
Tap a dot to add your rating.
Where to watch: Not on major US streamers — check digital rental.
How it scared people
The vibe
Isabelle Fuhrman was a preteen when she shot this, and she gives a performance most adults couldn't — the stillness, the accent, the way Esther recalibrates herself for whichever adult is in the room. The twist is famous enough that going in unspoiled is nearly impossible, which is a shame, because Vera Farmiga's unravelling works either way.
Orphan (2009) Parents Guide
| MPA rating | Rated R |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 123 minutes |
| Jump scares | 3/5 — moderately scary, with a handful of strong sequences |
| Gore | 2/5 — only light gore |
| Dread | 2/5 — a mild unease that fades quickly |
| Themes | psychological distress; paranoia and distrust; death and grief, often within a family |
Orphan is rated R by the MPA. We score it 3/5 for jump scares, 2/5 for gore and 2/5 for lingering dread, over 123 minutes. Better suited to teens than to younger children.
We rate what the film does — scares, gore, dread — not scene-level content like language or nudity, which we don't track.
Before you press play
- How scary is Orphan?
- On our intensity scale, Orphan rates 6/10 for jump scares and 4/10 for dread. It is moderately scary, with a handful of strong sequences.
- How gory is Orphan?
- Orphan rates 4/10 for gore — expect only light gore.
- How long is Orphan?
- Orphan runs 123 minutes (2h 3m).
- What is Orphan rated?
- Orphan is rated R by the MPA. On our own scale it rates 6/10 for jump scares, 4/10 for gore and 4/10 for dread — the R tells you what it was certified, those tell you what it will do to you.
- Where to watch Orphan (2009)?
- Orphan is not on major US subscription streamers right now — look for it on digital rental or purchase (Apple TV, Prime Video, or your usual store).
