The Girl Next Door

Name: The Girl Next Door
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror, Crime
Released: October 3, 2007
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 29

2007

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Ratings

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5.9

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5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Ratings

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The Girl Next Door

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Movie Details & Credits

Starz Home Entertainment | Release Date: October 3, 2007 | R

Summary: Based on the best-selling novel by Jack Ketchum, this film deals with the fictionalized account of the 1965 true story of Sylvia Likens's brutal torture, rape and abuse in the basement of a family member's Indiana home. (Moderncine)

Director: Gregory Wilson

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Horror, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 91 min

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Critic Reviews

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

Neither Ketchum nor the filmmakers take an exploitative approach to the material; their focus is the way the youngsters' petty cruelty erupts into murderous sadism. Read full review

Phil Hall

The result is a great-looking bore. Read full review

Neil Genzlinger

Gregory M. Wilson, the film’s director, has made the kind of movie that makes you wish you could rinse your brain in bleach, to wash all traces of it from your memory. Read full review

Nick Pinkerton

Any resonance from that real-life atrocity gets smothered by a script that interlaces clichéd dialogue so tightly as to block out any glint of recognizable human behavior. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

If there is anything positive in The Girl Next Door, it is the brave performance by Auffarth, who is in her early 20s. Other than that, there's little reason to see the movie. Unless, of course, you get off on watching the sexual exploitation of underage girls. Read full review

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User Reviews

Mohammed_Saint

Apr 11, 2021

Horrifying and Heartbreaking to say the least, however it's absolutely magnificent in portraying the horrendous sadistic acts.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JohnE.

Nov 26, 2007

Don't listen to stodgy critics - this film is a powerhouse on all levels. Terrifying and tragic, it sucker punches the viewer and leaves him with a film experience he'll never forget.

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zgp92

Jan 26, 2012

This is a faithfull and solid adaption of Jack Ketchum's brutal masterpiece, which was based on a true story. Could be deeper, but satisfying nonetheless Not for the squeamish.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

PeterRJG

Jun 3, 2013

A well-meaning movie with a message that got lost somewhere in the exploitative abuse, wooden performances, average script and poor character development. Blythe Auffarth doesn't make a very convincing 14 year old either. This movie would've been better served concentrating more on theA well-meaning movie with a message that got lost somewhere in the exploitative abuse, wooden performances, average script and poor character development. Blythe Auffarth doesn't make a very convincing 14 year old either. This movie would've been better served concentrating more on the characters and their motives and less on "gee, what can we do today to Meg!"… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tss5078

Feb 22, 2013

Jack Ketchum's 1989 novel and the subsequent film are based on one of the most infamous sex crimes in American history. The crime was truly horrific, unfortunately the film is equally as bad. The story is about a young girl who is living with a relative for the summer, a twisted and evilJack Ketchum's 1989 novel and the subsequent film are based on one of the most infamous sex crimes in American history. The crime was truly horrific, unfortunately the film is equally as bad. The story is about a young girl who is living with a relative for the summer, a twisted and evil relative, who not only abuses the girl, but allows the neighborhood children to take advantage of her as well. The story is more than a little disturbing, but it's made worse by a film that is ridiculously tedious and boring. This story was much too straight forward and simplistic to make for a good movie, especially when they're choosing to focus on the crime itself. The one bright spot in this movie is soap actor, Daniel Manche. I'd never even heard of him prior to this film, but he was really great. It's a shame this film was so bad and cost him the recognition he deserved, but this kid was on target and really displayed the emotions that the viewers were feeling. There is another film about this crime, which focuses specifically on the ensuing trial resulting from the crime. It's called An American Crime, and while I already know the outcome, I have to see it, because it stars one of my favorite actors, Jeremy Sumpter. I can only hope that that film is more interesting than this one was.… Expand

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Antismile

Jun 17, 2014

The main problem in film seems to be ridiculous because it's so easy to solve at the beginning of film. /

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JoeF.

Feb 21, 2008

Irresponsibly exploitive and feebly made. Only harry potter abuses its child actors more.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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