The film is harrowing and dark and so it should be for the story it portrays. However, the timeline just doesn't fit with the ages of the children. Further, the protagonist doesn't seem to age and nor do the other members of the base cast. Even after 19 years they all look the same. The acting is on the whole good and the script flows well if with some sadly wooden acting. However, all these things taken into account the emotional impost of the film is shocking. To imagine there is truth to such a tale reinforces how cruel people can be. Sad to pick these details as otherwise it would be a much better story of a true incident.