The Orphanage

Run to the video store and rent this film by Guillermo del Toro (of Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy). It's a beautiful film, atmospheric in the classic gothic ghost story sense. The movie does not depend upon gore or shock to convey the horrors within. It's a ghost story that creeps into your bones and scares the living shit out of you. Belen Rueda is the star, and I won't tell you much about it, because I insist you watch for yourself. I will say, though, that it is not your garden variety scary movie following a formula. It is unpredictable and graceful and tormented and cinematic in every beautiful sense. I felt immersed. This is a sumptuous film, lovely and horrible. Roll it around on your tongue for awhile, savor every moment. It is truly that good. I rarely recommend movies, but this one is an absolute beauty.

Oh yeah...it's in Spanish. But there are subtitles if you need them.