Dark Dream Cinema is a monthly film series devoted to the creeping undercurrents of the arthouse scene, hosted by Michael Morlaine.

“It’s scary as hell, and perfectly crafted to be scary as hell.” Tim Brayton, Alternate Ending

Raised as an orphan on the coast of Spain, Laura returns to the seaside home of her youth with her husband Carlos and their adopted son, Simón. But something else dwells there, too, as revealed when Simón befriends a spectral child in a sackcloth mask—and when her son disappears, Laura must face the ghosts of her own past to find him. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, The Orphanage is a haunting foray into heartrending terror. A tribute to such classics as The Innocents and The Changeling, this Spanish-Mexican production won praise for its lush aesthetic and brooding atmosphere. Shot on location in northwestern Spain—and making full use of the region’s beaches, lighthouses, and caves—The Orphanage immerses viewers in a world of spirits and secrets, pitched somewhere between the waking world of the living and the nightmarish land of the dead.

Arkadin does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. However, we encourage researching titles to determine if a screening may contain content that could be upsetting to you. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on specific films. Information about content can also be found on Common Sense Media, IMDB and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.