The Unborn
Performance & Direction: The Unborn Review
Last updated: February 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Unborn (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Unborn features a noteworthy lineup led by Odette Annable . Supported by the likes of Cam Gigandet and Gary Oldman , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Unborn
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2009, The Unborn is a Horror, Thriller, Mystery film directed by David S. Goyer. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Odette Annable.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. A young woman fights the spirit that is slowly taking possession of her. Director David S. Goyer uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: The Unborn
Ending Breakdown: Directed by David S. Goyer, The Unborn attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Odette Annable, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Unborn reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Unborn?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Unborn
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $16.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $76.5M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Unborn Budget
The estimated production budget for The Unborn is $16.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Unborn
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Unborn Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeThe Unborn Parents Guide & Age Rating
2009 AdvisoryWondering about The Unborn age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Unborn is 87 minutes (1h 27m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Unborn is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Unborn worth watching?
The Unborn is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5.2/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Unborn parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Unborn identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Unborn?
The total duration of The Unborn is 87 minutes, which is approximately 1h 27m long.
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How The Unborn Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Unborn
Poorly conceived (pun intended) supernatural-horror film that is only watchable because of Odette Ystman (not for her acting so much). Gary Oldman is only in this for maybe 20 minutes although gets above title billing; I assume he did this partially as a favor to writer-director David S. Goyer who co-scripted Batman Begins a few years earlier. Idris Elba also has a small role but only 5-10 minutes of screen time himself. This is one that's been sitting on my shelf for several years, now I know why I've been avoiding watching... **1.5/5**
**Overall : When it comes to lower-budget horror movies, The Unborn is a pretty solid addition.** Part of why I enjoyed this movie as much as I did probably had more to do with laughing at my friends who freaked out in the theater than the actual movie itself. But with that being said, the movie is pretty good too! The Unborn has a better cast than a typical horror flick with Gary Oldman and Idris Elba, along with solid performances from Odette Annable and Meagan Good. The quality of the cinematography, editing, and effects would suggest a bigger budget than it actually had. Scare after scare parades through the film. You can feel the influence of producer Michael Bay (Transformers, Bad Boys) in this film and David S. Goyer (Blade: Trinity), which I consider a positive, whereas others probably would not. Some reviews complain about The Unborn's poor character development, but this is a horror movie. Horror isn't a genre known for its well-developed characters. The Unborn is probably not as good as I rated it, but it has great jump scares, good production quality, and a solid cast. What more do you want in a low-budget horror movie?
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
