The Girl Next Door | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster |
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Directed by | Gregory Wilson |
Produced by | William M. Miller Joseph B. Mauceri Daniel Farrands Philip Nutman |
Written by | Novel: Jack Ketchum Screenplay Daniel Farrands Philip Nutman |
Narrated by | William Atherton |
Starring | Daniel Manche Blanche Baker Blythe Auffarth Madeline Taylor |
Music by | Ryan Shore |
Cinematography | William M. Miller |
Editing by | M.J. Fiore |
Distributed by | Starz! |
Release date(s) | October 3, 2007 |
Running time | 97 min. |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Girl Next Door is a 2007 film adaptation of the 1989 novel of the same name by Jack Ketchum. It is loosely based on the true story of the murder of Sylvia Likens.
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Inspired by true events, this thriller set in 1958, viewed through the eyes of preteen David Moran (Daniel Manche), follows the story of two sisters: Meg Loughlin (Blythe Auffarth) and Susan Loughlin (Madeline Taylor). After their parents are killed in an accident, the two sisters move in with their aunt, Ruth Chandler (Blanche Baker), and her three sons, Willie Chandler Jr. (Graham Patrick Martin), Donny Chandler (Benjamin Ross Kaplan) and Ralphie 'Woofer' Chandler (Austin Williams). Aunt Ruth soon begins abusing the sisters, culminating in the physical torture and sexual abuse of Meg, who is imprisoned in the basement of a New Jersey suburb. Other children from the neighborhood join in the torture and do not report the crimes that have taken place.
As of March 2010, rating at The Internet Movie Database was 7.0 from about 4,800 votes.[1] Reviews from critics were generally positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently holds a 69% "Fresh" rating.
Stephen King said about the movie, "The first authentically shocking American film I've seen since Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer over 20 years ago. If you are easily disturbed, you should not watch this movie. If, on the other hand, you are prepared for a long look into hell, suburban style, The Girl Next Door will not disappoint. This is the dark-side-of-the-moon version of Stand By Me."[2]
The music was composed by Ryan Shore.
An American Crime, a more documentary telling of the Likens story, was scheduled for release at roughly the same time but not released until a Showtime premiere in mid-2008.
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