Customer Reviews
Harrowing, disturbing, and a GREAT movie 
2008-06-09
The Girl Next Door is a horrowing, disturbing, and magnetic film based loosely on the case of Sylvia Linkens (Indianapolis, 1965).
For me, this movie was hard to watch and hard NOT to watch.
It isn't for the faint-of-heart.
And, it is terrific.
"Flowers in the Attic" times a Million!!!! 2008-06-06
Based on the Jack Ketchum novel.
Based on real events.
Based on an american atrocity.
If you've read the aforementioned novel, you know what you're in for.
This is an excellent adaptation,
almost identical to the novel,
(except what used to be hot poker is now a blow-torch....yikes)
If you haven't read the novel,
this flick is a cinematic punch to the gut of your soul.
You will be disgusted,
you will be touched,
you may even find yourself crying into your sweaty palms.
This film accurately portrays a time when everything was kept behind closed doors,
when family problems were dealt with by the family.
And it does such a good job with what its trying to set out to accomplish,
that it'll have you disgusted with man-kind by the time the credits roll.
This is horror on its most depressing level.
The horror of reality.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Even suburbia has it's demons
GIRL NEXT DOOR 2008-05-28
The Girl Next Door
THIS BOOK SCARED ME. I LOVE HORROR BUT THIS FELT LIKE REALITY. AND REALITY SCARES ME.
An important and misunderstood film 
2008-05-21
When I first saw this DVD on the New Release wall I was shocked, as it hadn't been released in theaters here and I didn't even know the film had gone into production . . . but there it was, a DVD release of a film that I never expected to see made. I looked at the box for a few moments before putting it down and walking away. I did not want to see this movie . . . in fact, I was scared to.
I read Ketchum's THE GIRL NEXT DOOR a few years earlier and was traumatized by the experience. It pained my soul. I had to drink a few shots to dull the horror of the words before me. I cried. I punched the wall. I felt ill for a week. I had nightmares. Then, I put it out of my mind . . . until I saw this DVD in the video store . . . and it all came back. It took me a month before I finally worked up the courage to rent it.
It wasn't nearly as upsetting as I thought it would be . . . not even close to being on the same level as the book. The torture scenes don't begin until the final third of the film, and since I knew what to expect the shock was reduced . . . and a number of scenes were omitted from the screenplay. It was watchable, which surprised and relieved me.
Evil exists in the world, though many deny it, and this story depicts evil in its most raw and horrendous form: systematic, ritualized child abuse which is not only perpetrated by the lawful guardian, but at her encouragement a number of neighborhood children are also brought in to participate in the torture of an innocent child . . . which some engage in with cruelty and glee; while others stand by in stunned silence, yet agree to keep the proceedings "secret" from parents and authorities. It is a terrifying story because it is based on fact.
I cannot give this film 5-stars due to several factors, primarilly due to the actions of the producers in rewriting the final act without the knowledge or consent of the author or screenwriters in a misguided effort to make the film more accessable and marketable (read as: Deux ex Machina + Hollywood ending) . . . the girl still dies at the end, but aside from that the travesty of the final 15 minutes is unrecognizable made-for-TV silliness, for which the producers should be soundly flogged. Was a little perturbed by the opening scene with the bum on the street as well. I wish the movie was truer to Ketchum's original vision . . . but then, as the producers claimed in the commentary, it probably never would've been made. This script supposedly was written nearly 10 years ago, and no major studio would touch it . . . and when someone finally takes that step they elect to overhaul the ending.
This is a powerful and worthwhile film, but the producers' ill-thought decision to rewrite the ending prevents it from being the most powerful and unforgettable film ever made . . . it's probably not even in the Top 10 . . . but at least the film was finally made, flawed though it might be.
While I'm in complete disagreement with the producers' decision, they probably did have a valid point. In the final half hour of their commentary they repeatedly attempt to justify what they did, primarilly citing time constraints and production costs. But what was probably more of a factor was the risk of getting slapped with an NC-17 rating or receiving a majority of bad reviews from folks who were emotionally devastated by what they'd seen. They thought that a dramatic-thriller ending was what the script needed to make it fly, and while it does sort of work it hamstrings any chance of potential greatness. Unfortunately, the average audience member would be angered by a hollow, bleak, depressing conclusion to their cinematic experience. This DVD sorely needs an alternate ending for those of us with above-average expectations.
disturbing 2008-05-20
this movie disturbed and sickened me i wish i could come up with more to write but i just finished watching this movie and i'm still in shock
BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT 2008-07-09
This is well worth the money. A movie that actually delivers on what they promise. I think that some of the scenes should have been longer but you wont be disappointed. I was completely satisfied with the movie overall. Too bad more movies dont live up to their reviews. This is excellent.
Four Horrifying Stars 2008-07-02
I have not read the book but know the true life story of Silvia. I was reluctant to rent this knowing its harrowing content. Well I should have followed my instinct. The film is well done, scripted, and acted BUT the graphic torture was too much for me (and I'm a veteran horror/slasher film addict). Perhaps having children of my own or the realistically sad and pathetic nature of the subject matter made me cringe uncomfortably. I made it through 3/4 of the film before retreating and found myself disturbed for several hours after. I do not recommend this film unless you know what your in for and have a strong stomach because it is CRUEL!
The Girl Next Door Horror 
2008-06-29
After viewing this movie I vomitted. Depression took over for several days. This is an account of one of the most horrific TRUE stories in our lifetime. The story of Sylvia Likens in the 1950's in Indiana. She was tortured, raped, humiliated, and starved. Her battered body was used like a punching bag until she died. She died in the basement of a house where she was chained and tied up. Sylvia suffered every horror you can imagine one person committing against another. Shockingly, the group of young boys who violated her were allowed to continue until her death if they promised not to tell anyone else. Could your teenage son, brother, nephew, grandson, etc., be capable of these unspeakable violations of poor Sylvia? Or are you the one adult who encouraged this behavior? Do you know what is happening in your neighbors house? Be prepared to have your heart ripped.
Disturbing but ultimately hollow 
2008-06-20
I won't rehash the plot since many have done so here. Suffice it to say that this film's subject mater is disturbing, but there is such a lack of developed characters that I found many of their actions inconceivable. Yes, this is based on actual events, but without motivated characters I sat there wondering why anyone did what he or she did. I'm sure the book delves into the psyches of the participants more fully, but I couldn't help thinking that if the "moral" boy next door had just said, "Mom, Dad, I need you to come next door because our neighbor has a tied up, stripped, and tortured young girl in the basement," the film would have lasted about one-half an hour. I mean, c'mon! the door was never even locked.
Ending Failed to Live Up to Source Material 2008-06-12
My primary reason for watching this movie was because I read the book last week and I like to see how movies compare to the books upon which they are based (I'm weird that way).
The movie was pretty faithful to the book, even including some of the more graphic parts (which I was surprised were included), right up until the ending. That's where the movie failed. If you listen to the audio commentary with Jack Ketchum for the last few scenes, you will hear how disappointed/upset he was that the producers changed the ending without bothering to consult him or the script writers. I completely agree with his take on it; the book's ending was much better, both in the climax and the epilogue. I won't give away the ending to either, but if you read the book, you will know what I mean. I don't understand why they changed what was a fine ending.
The acting was very well done, especially the actresses playing Meg, Ruth and Susan. The filmmakers also did a nice job of making it look and feel like the 50s.
I'm glad I read the book first and suggest anyone considering watching this movie do the same. I'll still give it 4 stars (my true rating is actually a little less than 4), but I wish the ending had been truer to the source material.
