One of the most shocking cases of child sexual abuse ever to occur in the United States makes for an interesting, and perhaps questionable, choice for inspiration for a film. However, real crime The case led to two amendments in the same year; in 2007 American crime And The neighbors daughterBoth films take different approaches to telling the horrific events of Sylvia Likens' murder, but which one is better?
We'll examine the crime that inspired both films, compare the two in terms of approach and performance by the actors, and see which one captures the tragic story better, both realistically and as a cinematic experience. We'll also tell you where you can watch both films. American crime And The neighbors daughter.
The True Story Behind an American Crime and the Girl Next Door
The crime that shook the people of Indianapolis, Indiana in 1965, the murder of Sylvia Likens It was a case of such brutal excess that it made national headlines.. 16-year-old Sylvia Likens and her sister Jenny were left in the care of their troubled mother, Gertrude Baniszewski, while her parents were away on business. Gertrude, an outsider to the family, arranged for financial compensation to care for the girls after the two met her children.
For three months, Sylvia was subjected to continuous abuse. At the hands of Gertrude and her children, as well as other young men from the neighborhood. This included repeated beatings, burning with cigarettes, scalding with hot water, sexual humiliation and abuse, starvation/dehydration, being forced to eat feces, and having obscene phrases tattooed on her body.
Sylvia died on October 26, 1965, from brain swelling, internal bleeding, and shock resulting from her severe injuries; more than 150 wounds were recorded on her body at an autopsy. The crime led to a change in Indianapolis law, particularly after the revelations of countless adults and others who were aware of Sylvia's abuse but failed to act. This included the implementation of mandatory reporting of suspected child abusers in the state.
Gertrude Baniszewski was sentenced to life in prison for murder. Paula Baniszewski (Gertrude's daughter) was originally sentenced to life in prison for murder, but on appeal received a mandatory manslaughter sentence of 2 to 21 years. Coy Hubbard, Richard Hobbs, and John Baniszewski Jr. were among the three children involved in the torture, and were charged with manslaughter and released on probation after serving 18 months.
The cast of the American crime series and how to deal with the source material
American crime The film starred Elliot Page (referred to as Ellen Page) as Sylvia Likens. Page was a relatively unknown actor at the time, having previously appeared in the hit film JunoAlthough he appeared in my favorite horror movie hard candy And as Kitty Pryde in X-Men: The Last Stand Before the crime drama. The film also featured a strong supporting cast of names that would go on to much greater fame, including Peter Evans and Hayley McFarland. Actor James Franco also appeared in a supporting role, and the role of the terrifying mother Gertrude Baniszewski went to actress Catherine Keener from being john malkovich And Capote Fame
“She sacrificed me to protect her children, and she sacrificed her children to protect herself.” Elliot Page as Sylva Likens
Director and writer Tommy O'Haver The Real Hearings of the Sylvia Likens Murder Case by Gertrude Baniszewski and the various teenagers who frequented her home to torment the young girl. The film was originally slated for a theatrical release, but suffered internal problems with its original distributor. This led to the film being released as a Showtime television special in 2008, a year after its Sundance premiere. Despite the delay, American crime The series won numerous awards, including a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award for Best Actress for Catherine Keener's performance as Gertrude Baniszewski.
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The Girl Next Door cast and how to handle the source material
The Girl Next Door Jack Ketchum
- exit
- Gregory Wilson
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- Blythe Overth, Daniel Mansch, Blanche Baker, Grant Shaw, Graham Patrick Martin, Benjamin Ross Kaplan
The neighbors daughter Gregory Wilson directed the film, which was his most notable work, as he only directed three films, the last of which was the made-for-television film. Ghoulreleased in 2012. The cast is made up mostly of actors from the indie scene, with Blythe Auffarth playing Meg Loughlin (a character inspired by Sylvia Likens) and Blanche Baker playing Ruth Chandler (inspired by Gertrude Baniszewski). William Atherton plays David Moran (a fictional character), who opens the film reflecting on the past as well as providing narration throughout. The rest of the cast is largely unknown, having seen moderate success in smaller productions and television series.
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Unlike American crime, The neighbors daughter It is based on the horror novel of the same name by Jack Ketchum, who was inspired by the murder of Sylvia Likens.The book is a fictional account, with the location, era, and names of those involved changed. However, the story draws many close parallels to the crimes committed, including the writing of insults on Sylvia's body by Gertrude and her children. The book, like the film, was a highly controversial horror film, drawing protests from the families involved for its fictionalization of a real tragedy. The film also took Extreme approach to crime filmingwith many calling it “torture porn.”
Which movie is better, An American Crime or The Girl Next Door?
When choosing the best of both, We have to go with Gregory M. Wilson. The neighbors daughter Like the best movieThe film is more disturbing, the images are unforgettable, and they emphasize the amount of torment that Sylvia Likens had to endure. Although the cast is less well-known, they do an impressive job and can be compared to the cast of The Girl Who Kills Me (1991). American crime. Comprehensive narrative of The neighbors daughter It also paints a more personal story than a courtroom drama. American crime.
but, For the majority, American crime It would be the best choice..Tommy O'Haver American crimeThe film, which is based on the actual court proceedings rather than a novel inspired by the case, provides a more vivid picture of the events. This gives a more realistic narrative that will appeal to true crime fans, while The neighbors daughter It can be described as exploitative and sensationalistic. American crime It contains disturbing images and themes, but they pale in comparison to the brutality shown in The neighbors daughterThose who are not used to watching countless horror movies should avoid this one.
You can check out both movies for yourself to decide in the end, if you want to go with the true crime inspired option, you can Watch An American Crime on Netflix, Fubo, Peacock, or Apple TV+If you're okay with some exaggeration and a more horrific retelling of the horrific crime, You can broadcast The neighbors daughter On Prime or Apple TV+.
