Case 39 (2009) is a supernatural horror-thriller directed by Christian Alvart and written by Ray Wright. The film stars Renรฉe Zellweger in a rare foray into the horror genre, alongside Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane, and Bradley Cooper. It explores themes of evil, deception, and the limits of compassion, blending psychological tension with supernatural elements.
The story follows Emily Jenkins (Renรฉe Zellweger), a dedicated social worker who takes on the case of 10-year-old Lilith Sullivan (Jodelle Ferland). Lilith appears to be a sweet and quiet child, but Emily suspects that she is being abused by her parents, who act suspiciously and uncooperatively.
After investigating further, Emily discovers that Lilithโs parents are planning to kill her, seemingly out of fear for their own lives. Emily intervenes just in time, rescuing Lilith and taking her into temporary custody. With no immediate family willing to care for Lilith, Emily decides to foster her, believing that she has saved an innocent child from a horrific situation.
However, as Lilith begins living with Emily, strange and disturbing events occur. People close to Emily, including her friend and psychologist Douglas (Bradley Cooper), experience horrifying deaths or bizarre behavior. Emily starts to realize that Lilith may not be as innocent as she seemed. Her suspicions grow when Lilithโs parents, now institutionalized, warn Emily that Lilith is not a child but something far more sinister.
As the truth about Lilithโs supernatural nature is revealed, Emily becomes desperate to rid herself of the child. The film builds to a suspenseful and terrifying climax as Emily fights to save herself and destroy the evil that Lilith embodies.
Case 39 received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 21%. Critics praised Jodelle Ferlandโs unsettling performance and some of the filmโs suspenseful sequences but criticized its reliance on horror clichรฉs and predictable plot twists. Despite its lukewarm critical reception, the film gained a cult following among fans of supernatural horror.
The filmโs release was delayed multiple times, contributing to a lack of momentum and marketing challenges. It was filmed in 2006 but wasnโt released theatrically until 2009 in the United States and 2010 in other markets.