Viewed – 13 February 2010  Blu-ray

Movies about creepy kids are ten a penny.  Stretching waaaay back in the history of horror and thriller, from the cult classic Bad Seed to the horror legend that was The Omen – bad kids really work, and for this viewer especially, creep me out now end.  So here we have a story of a couple who after suffering a miscarriage, find their relationship at breaking point, and although they already have two children, one a moody teenage boy, the other a young deaf girl, they decide to adopt.  Soon theybring home a rather strange but good natured nine year old Russian girl called Esther, who despite some excentric behaviour quickly put down to her troubled circumstances, soon fits in.  But of course not all is as it appears to be, and before long young Esther is proving quite the nutjob, involving her adoptive siblings in her evil ways, and sending her adoptive mother heading for rehab, whilst all the time appearing sweet and innocent to her adoptive father.

It’s obvious that the director knows this is familiar territory, and thankfully avoids cheap scares, rather building tension and ringing every last drop of acting from his cast, especially Isabelle Furhman as Esther, who is clearly a star to watch.  Also Vera Famiga as the distraught but gutsy mother gives it her all in a very demanding role.  I should also mention that the young deaf girl, who despite not saying a word, left me similarly impressed. 

Gripping, powerful and even proved a lot more clever than I first gave it credit for – so seek this one out.

Verdict:  4 /5