Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Elliot Page | ... | Sylvia Likens (as Ellen Page) | |
Hayley McFarland | ... | Jennie Likens | |
Nick Searcy | ... | Lester Likens | |
Romy Rosemont | ... | Betty Likens | |
Catherine Keener | ... | Gertrude Baniszewski | |
Ari Graynor | ... | Paula Baniszewski | |
Scout Taylor-Compton | ... | Stephanie Baniszewski | |
Tristan Jarred | ... | Johnny Baniszewski | |
Hannah Leigh | ... | Shirley Baniszewski (as Hannah Leigh Dworkin) | |
Bradley Whitford | ... | Prosecutor | |
Michael O'Keefe | ... | Reverend Bill Collier | |
Carlie Westerman | ... | Marie Baniszewski | |
Michelle Benes | ... | Hope Orbach | |
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Patricia Place | ... | Mrs. Doyle |
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Calvin Keet | ... | Mr. Doyle |
Based on a true story that shocked the nation in 1965, the film recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. Sylvia and Jennie Fae Likens, the two daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the Indianapolis home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her six children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's financial needs cause her to make this arrangement before realizing how the burden will push her unstable nature to a breaking point. What transpires in the next three months is both riveting and horrific. Written by alfiehitchie
First of all someone said " The Girl Next Door" wasn't based on actual events .You'd have to be oblivious not to see it's based on this case with some minor changes.
I feel that The Girl Next Door is a much more disturbing film then An American Crime because the degree of abuse is much more accurate in relation to what happened in real life.
Also I was somewhat disturbed that the the director tried to show Gertrude in a somewhat sympathetic light as if he was trying to make some sort of feminist statement that Gertrude was a victim of 50's male oppression.In reality she was a sexual sadist of unspeakable proportions.