Orphan (2025 film)
| Orphan | |
|---|---|
Hungarian promotional poster | |
| Hungarian | Árva |
| Directed by | László Nemes |
| Written by | László Nemes Clara Royer |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Mátyás Erdély |
| Edited by | Péter Politzer |
| Music by | Evgueni Galperine Sacha Galperine |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 132 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Hungarian |
Orphan (Hungarian: Árva) is a 2025 historical drama film directed by László Nemes and co-written by Nemes with Clara Royer. It follows the aftermath of the Hungarian uprising against the Communist regime in Budapest, through the eyes of Andor (Bojtorján Barabas), a young boy in search of his father.
The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 28 August 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion.[1] It was theatrically released in Hungary on 23 October. It was also selected as the Hungarian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Premise
The film is set in 1957, after the uprising against the Communist regime in Budapest, where a young boy discovers the truth of his mother's survival in the preceding World War.[2]
Cast
- Bojtorján Barabas as Andor
- Grégory Gadebois as Berend
- Andrea Waskovics as Klára
- Hermina Fátyol as Elza
- Elíz Szabó as Sári
- Soma Sándor as Tamás
Production
The film is directed by László Nemes. As with his previous films, Sunset (2018) and Son of Saul (2015), Nemes co-wrote the script with Clara Royer. It is produced by Ildiko Kemeny and Ferenc Szale for Pioneer Pictures, alongside Mike Goodridge for the UK's Good Chaos, Alexander Rodnyansky of AR Content, and Gregory Jankilevitsch of Mid March Media. The cast is led by Bojtorján Barabas, Grégory Gadebois and Andrea Waskovics.[3]
Principal photography took place in Budapest over ten weeks, concluding in September 2024.[4] It's Nemes' third feature film collaboration with cinematographer Mátyás Erdély, who shot the film in 35 mm.[5]
The story is loosely based on Nemes' own father's childhood memories in post-war Budapest, specially his search for his biological father shortly after the failed Hungarian Revolution in a Soviet-occupied Hungarian People's Republic.[5]
Release
In May 2024, Mubi acquired distribution rights in a host of countries including the UK and Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Latin America and Turkey.[6]
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 67% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10.[7]
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice International Film Festival | September 6, 2025 | Golden Lion | László Nemes | Nominated | [8] |
See also
- List of submissions to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Hungarian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
- ^ "Biennale Cinema 2025 | Orphan". La Biennale di Venezia. July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 16, 2025). "'Orphan': First Trailer For László Nemes' Venice Film Festival Drama & Hungarian Oscar Hopeful". Deadline. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ Leffler, Rebecca (February 14, 2025). "Laszlo Nemes' 'Orphan' heads across Europe in key deals (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (September 10, 2024). "László Nemes' 'Orphan' Wraps 10-Week Shoot In Budapest; Releases First-Look Image". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Ntim, Zac (August 26, 2025). "László Nemes On The True Story Behind His Venice Title 'Orphan' & Why An Unsuccessful Period Of Pitching Studios Execs Killed His Fantasy Of Working In Hollywood: "I Was Valorizing A System That Has Passed"". Deadline. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
- ^ Leffler, Rebecca (May 15, 2024). "Mubi, Le Pacte take in László Nemes' 'Orphan' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ "Orphan". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ Shafer, Nick Vivarelli,Ellise (July 22, 2025). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein,' Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Bugonia' With Emma Stone, Benny Safdie's 'Smashing Machine,' Luca Guadagnino's 'After the Hunt' and More". Variety. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
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