It's only his first film; but Spain’s Juan Antonio Bayona has already figured out the secret to a successful supernatural thriller: emphasize character over special effects. Like Walter Salles's Dark Water and Alejandro Amen?bar's The Others; The Orphanage pivots on a pretty woman and an unusual child. When her old orphanage goes on the market; Laura (Bel?n Rueda; Amen?bar's The Sea Inside) and Carlos (Fernando Cayo) settle in with their son; Sim?n (Roger Pr?ncep). Once acclimated to the remote seaside surroundings; they plan to re-open it as a home for special-needs children. Meanwhile; their seven-year-old doesn't know he's adopted or that he has a life-threatening illness. He does; however; have a lot of imaginary playmates. When Sim?n disappears without a trace; his parents contact the police; but to no avail. Because Laura has been hearing odd noises and having strange visions; they proceed to consult a medium. Aurora (Geraldine Chaplin; speaking perfect Spanish) is convinced they aren't alone. Carlos has his doubts; but Laura makes like a detective and revisits her childhood--through photographs; home movies; and exploration of the spooky stone manor--to determine who or what abducted her son. Produced and presented by Guillermo Del Toro; The Orphanage is less fanciful than his works; though it does bear a vague resemblance to the ghostly Devil's Backbone. There are a few gory make-up effects; but Bayona mostly preys on our fear of the unknown to craft a first-rate fright fest. --Kathleen C. Fennessy