What is psychological horror Orphan: First Kill about on Paramount+?

Psychological horror film fans are in for a treat with the terrifying return of Esther in the upcoming movie, Orphan: First Kill. We first met the strange “child” in the 2009 film, Orphan. It’s one of the best horror movies, and now we’re getting more of Esther’s backstory.

In the first film, we meet Esther as the adopted 9-year-old “child” of Kate and John Coleman. But Esther is actually a 33-year-old woman named Leena Klammer, born in Estonia. She has hypopituitarism, a rare hormonal disorder that stunted her physical growth and caused proportional dwarfism. She’s spent most of her life posing as a little girl.

Orphan tells us she’s murdered at least seven people, including the last family that adopted her. By the end, she comes to a very satisfying death. Now the prequel is coming to Paramount+ on Aug. 19 and based on the title, it seems like we’re going to see the very first time Esther/Leena violently attacks.

Isabelle Fuhrman reprises her role in the prequel. So what can we expect to see in this next installment?

What is Orphan: First Kill about on Paramount+?

According to Paramount+, we’re going to follow Esther after she orchestrates a “brilliant escape” from an Estonian psychiatric facility. She goes to America and impersonates the missing daughter of a wealthy family. But an unexpected twist arises when she’s faced with a mother who will protect her family from the “child” at any cost.

The trailer gives us a look at just how manipulative this woman is, all the blood and horror coming our way, and just how far Esther will go.

Along with Fuhrman, actors Julia Stiles, Rossif Sutherland, and Matthew Finlan are also attached to the project. The film’s screenplay was written by David Coggeshall, and the story comes from David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Alex Mace.

Orphan: First Kill will be available to stream on Paramount+ beginning Friday, Aug. 19 in the U.S. The film will also debut the same day on the big screen in limited theaters.