The Bad Orphan (2024):




Trailer provided by Lifetime via YouTube


Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Release Date: February 17, 2024 (Lifetime Television)

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Drama

Platform: Lifetime

Director: Michelle Ouellet

Writer: Doris Egan

Cast: Betsy Brandt, Mark Taylor, Chloe Chapman, Eve Edwards





The Bad Orphan

 (2024) – A Tense Domestic Thriller with Familiar Shadows



In a world overflowing with psychological thrillers about unsettling family dynamics, The Bad Orphan is Lifetime’s most recent attempt to reimagine the classic tale of an adopted child who isn’t quite what they seem. Directed by Michelle Ouellet and written by veteran screenwriter Doris Egan, this domestic suspense drama is a careful balance of eerie suspense, maternal intuition, and the unnerving question: what if the child you brought into your home was dangerous?


Though it may seem like familiar territory, especially with its thematic echoes of 2009’s Orphan, The Bad Orphan carves out just enough unique identity to captivate its viewers—particularly those who revel in Lifetime’s signature tension-filled storytelling.





Plot Summary



Jessica and Karl, portrayed by Betsy Brandt and Mark Taylor respectively, are a loving couple who have been yearning to complete their family for years. When they adopt Gabby (played by newcomer Chloe Chapman), a seemingly quiet and reserved 8-year-old with special needs, they believe their prayers have been answered.


At first, things go relatively smoothly, but Gabby begins exhibiting strange, sometimes disturbing behaviors. She refuses to participate in family routines, avoids basic hygiene, and begins to display an unsettling amount of control over her environment. Jessica’s maternal instincts begin to buzz with alarm bells, especially as Gabby’s actions lead to increasingly dangerous situations that threaten the well-being of those around her—including the couple’s biological daughter, Zoe (Eve Edwards).


As Jessica attempts to uncover the truth about Gabby’s past, she faces doubt from those around her, including her husband. With each new revelation, the line between paranoia and genuine danger begins to blur.





Performances: Anchored by Emotion



The true strength of The Bad Orphan lies in its performances. Betsy Brandt, known for her role in Breaking Bad, is excellent as Jessica—a woman torn between empathy and suspicion. Brandt delivers a nuanced portrayal of a mother spiraling under the weight of fear and maternal protectiveness. Her transformation from hopeful adoptive parent to a woman teetering on the edge is convincingly rendered.


Mark Taylor plays the supportive yet skeptical husband well, though his character can sometimes feel like a narrative device to delay Jessica’s inevitable realization. However, their on-screen chemistry adds authenticity to the film’s emotional undercurrent.


Chloe Chapman, in her feature debut, deserves special mention for her eerie, ambiguous portrayal of Gabby. The character vacillates between seeming like a misunderstood child and a manipulative figure with a hidden agenda. Chapman brings a surprising depth to the role, making Gabby both pitiable and terrifying in equal measure.





Direction & Cinematography



Michelle Ouellet does a solid job behind the camera, crafting an atmosphere that leans heavily on tight domestic spaces and sharp silences to build suspense. She knows when to hold the camera on a child’s vacant stare or a mother’s trembling hand just long enough to make the audience uncomfortable.


The cinematography, while not groundbreaking, serves the story well—especially in dimly lit kitchen corners and closed bedroom doors. The visuals effectively convey claustrophobia and the looming threat that Gabby represents within the once-safe household.





Writing & Themes



Doris Egan’s script dives into the complexity of maternal instinct, adoption trauma, and the fragile nature of trust within a family. It asks important questions: What does it mean to love a child unconditionally? When does protecting your family become a justification for paranoia? And, most notably, how much can we ever truly know about someone else’s past?


While the script is engaging, some parts feel derivative, particularly the central twist, which closely resembles storylines from other horror-thrillers like The Orphan. That said, The Bad Orphan still holds its own through committed performances and well-paced tension.


One commendable aspect of the film is its attempt to shed light on how trauma affects children and the families that take them in. The movie flirts with the idea that Gabby might not be inherently evil but rather the product of a broken system. However, this nuance is unfortunately underdeveloped in the latter half of the film, which veers into more predictable thriller territory.





Strengths



  • Engaging Lead Performance: Betsy Brandt carries the film with emotional authenticity.
  • Creepy Ambiguity: Chloe Chapman’s performance adds an unsettling layer to the story.
  • Solid Pacing: The film maintains suspense throughout its 90-minute runtime without dragging.






Weaknesses



  • Predictable Plot: The storyline lacks originality, especially in the third act.
  • Underdeveloped Supporting Characters: Some characters exist solely to advance the plot or dismiss Jessica’s concerns.
  • Missed Thematic Depth: Opportunities to explore adoption, trauma, and mental health in a more nuanced way are passed up in favor of thriller tropes.






Comparison to Similar Films



It’s impossible not to compare The Bad Orphan to Orphan (2009), a film with a similar premise but a much darker execution. Where Orphan veered into horror territory with an outrageous twist, The Bad Orphan keeps things grounded, focusing more on psychological tension than shock value. This might disappoint viewers looking for something more extreme, but fans of grounded domestic thrillers will appreciate the more realistic tone.





Final Thoughts



The Bad Orphan is a solid entry in Lifetime’s lineup of suspenseful dramas, bolstered by strong performances and a consistently tense atmosphere. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it successfully engages its audience with emotionally resonant stakes and an ever-present sense of dread.


If you’re a fan of thrillers that explore motherhood, psychological manipulation, and the terror of the unknown within your own home, The Bad Orphan is worth a watch—even if you might guess the ending before it arrives.




Verdict: A chilling family drama with strong performances but a familiar plot.

Recommended For: Fans of Orphan, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, and Lifetime suspense thrillers.


Final Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)