The Orphanage (original Spanish title: "El Orfanato") is a Spanish supernatural horror film directed by J.A. Bayona. It was released in 2007 and gained critical acclaim for its atmospheric tension, emotional depth, and a compelling storyline. The movie follows Laura (played by Belén Rueda), who, along with her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) and their adopted son Simón (Roger Príncep), returns to the orphanage where Laura spent her childhood. Laura and Carlos plan to reopen the orphanage to care for disabled children. Simón, who is adopted and HIV-positive, begins to play with imaginary friends, but things take a dark turn when he mysteriously disappears. Laura becomes increasingly desperate to find her son, and the search leads her to uncover long-buried secrets about the orphanage's dark past. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Laura is confronted by supernatural elements, and the film combines psychological horror with ghostly elements to create a chilling and emotionally charged atmosphere.
