The Orphanage (2007): the Spanish horror produced by Guillermo del Toro that won 7 Goyas

El orfanato (The Orphanage, 2007) is the debut feature of J.A. Bayonaand one of the titles that consolidated the reputation of Guillermo del Toro as a producer of Ibero-American talent in the fantasy genre. Spanish-Mexican co-production written by Sergio G. Sánchez and starring Belén Rueda, the film was the most seen in Spanish theaters in 2007 and has become a modern classic of gothic horror.

What's it about

Laura (Belén Rueda) returns with her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) and her adopted son Simón (Roger Príncep) to the orphanage on the coast where she spent part of her childhood. They want to convert it into a residence for sick children, but Simón — who already has health problems — begins to talk about an “invisible Tomás” and about playing with children that only he sees. When Simón disappears during a party, Laura enters a spiral of mourning, investigation and phenomena that defy reason. Geraldine Chaplin completes the cast as the medium Aurora.

The role of Guillermo del Toro

Bayona met del Toro at the Sitges Festival, when the Mexican presented Cronos. When the young director showed him the script for The Orphanage — written by Sánchez in 1996 — del Toro agreed to co-produce and double the budget and shooting time so that Bayona could shoot the film as he imagined it. He did not direct or write the film, but his imprint is in the commitment to emotion over cheap gore and in the Catholic-fantastic sensibility that he shares with The Devil's Backbone or Pan's Labyrinth.

The success of El orfanato opened the door to Bayona's international career (Imposible, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Society of the Snow) and reinforced the network of Hispanic filmmakers in the genre alongside Amenábar and del Toro himself.

Premiere and reception

It was screened at Cannes 2007 (Critics Week) and received an ovation lasting more than ten minutes. In Spain it triumphed at the box office and critics; Internationally it raised close to 80 million dollars. New Line Cinema bought the rights to an American remake.

Featured awards

• Goya Awards 2008 (7 wins): best new director (Bayona), best original script (Sánchez), artistic direction, production direction, makeup and hair, sound and best special effects.
• José María Forqué Award 2008: best film.
• Oscar candidacy: Spain chose it to represent it in best international film before its commercial release, although it did not enter the final shortlist.
• Total: 31 awards and more than 30 international nominations according to records from the Film Academy and IMDb.

Where to see it

• Streaming: rotating availability on platforms such as Prime Video, Filmin or Movistar+ depending on the country; consult JustWatch.
• Digital rental: Apple TV, Rakuten TV and Google Play in most Hispanic markets.
• Physical edition: Blu-ray and DVD with making-of extras in Warner and Studiocanal editions.

In summary

Is it by Guillermo del Toro? He did not direct it, but without his executive production the film probably would not have had the same scope. Is it horror? Yes, but sadder than bloody: a story of mother and son with roots in Spanish Gothic cinema. Why watch it? Because in 2007 it condensed everything that Ibero-American genre cinema did better than Hollywood: atmosphere, character and an ending that is still being debated.