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The Orphanage 2021

Runtime

90 min

Language

English

English

During the 1980s in Afghanistan, a young boy finds solace in Bollywood films, dreaming of a life far removed from his own. However, his world shifts when he is sent to an orphanage during the Soviet occupation. As the Mujahideen fight for their nation's freedom, the boy's dreams and innocence are challenged, and he must find strength and hope amidst a backdrop of conflict and uncertainty.

During the 1980s in Afghanistan, a young boy finds solace in Bollywood films, dreaming of a life far removed from his own. However, his world shifts when he is sent to an orphanage during the Soviet occupation. As the Mujahideen fight for their nation's freedom, the boy's dreams and innocence are challenged, and he must find strength and hope amidst a backdrop of conflict and uncertainty.

Does The Orphanage have end credit scenes?

No!

The Orphanage does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Orphanage

Explore the complete cast of The Orphanage, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Orphanage

See how The Orphanage is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Orphanage stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

80

In terms of its overall impact, The Orphanage delivers a compelling blend of visual expression and emotional depth, though its narrative cohesion occasionally suffers. Critics highlighted the film’s dream-like fantasy sequences as evocative representations of the protagonist’s inner life, and noted a sensitive, documentary-like approach to depicting hardship. However, some found the storytelling uneven and predictability undermined its momentum. Overall, the film stands as an affecting yet imperfect portrait of adolescence in a challenging environment.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Orphanage

80
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its direction and visual design through dream-like fantasy interludes and a measured documentary palette. The cinematography’s use of color and framing vividly conveys the protagonist’s inner world, while editing choices seamlessly transition between reality and imagination. Despite occasional tonal shifts, the visual expression remains a consistent highlight of the film.

85
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers a sensitive portrayal of adolescence with nuanced performances and authentic emotional resonance. The actors convey hardship and hope through understated expressions and chemistry that grounds the narrative. Depth emerges in moments of quiet reflection and communal interaction, making the protagonist’s journey relatable and engaging. Overall, the character work significantly enhances the film’s emotional impact.

60
Echo Score

Story & Flow

When evaluating story and flow, the film presents an engaging premise rooted in real-life diaries but occasionally falters in pacing and coherence. Critics observed moments of predictability and uneven tone that interrupt narrative momentum. While the portrayal of hardship offers originality in its context, the progression sometimes feels clumsy. Consequently, the storytelling achieves emotional resonance but does not consistently maintain structural tightness.

85
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In terms of sensory experience, the film’s sound design and musical choices complement its visual style with an understated yet evocative approach. The Bollywood-inspired fantasy sequences and cinema-verite aesthetics create a dynamic fusion of textures. Soundtrack cues underscore emotional beats without overwhelming, while visual cohesion is maintained through a consistent color palette. As a result, the sensory elements blend seamlessly to support the narrative’s emotional arc.

75
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

When considering rewatch factor, the film offers thoughtful reflections that invite subsequent viewings, particularly to revisit its fantasy sequences and documentary-style details. The emotional resonance and layered visual metaphors encourage deeper interpretation, although some narrative unevenness may lessen repeated enjoyment. While the authenticity of the protagonist’s journey supports lasting appeal, structural inconsistencies may reduce replay value for some viewers.

Rotten Tomatoes
review

91%

TOMATOMETER

review

92%

User Score

IMDb

6.7 /10

IMDb Rating

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


kabul afghanistanteenage boy15 year oldorphanagedeathone word titletitle directed by femalewritten by directorf ratedbased on diaryafghanistan1980steenager15 year old boymovie theaterfilm in filmreference to bollywoodblack marketsupervisorschool supervisorwatching tvreference to mikhail gorbachevclassroomaquariumbeachawakened by an alarm clocktrumpetsoviet unionrussianmausoleumlenin's mausoleumreference to vladimir leninplaying chesscomputercomputer chessbusplaying soccerfightislammuslimfiremurderreference to diego maradonacoming of age

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