An American Crime Ending Explained, Review Summary, and Cast
by Damodharan N
Updated Apr 05, 2023
An American Crime Summary
An American Crime is a film based on the true story of Sylvia Likens, who is placed in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski by her travelling carnival working parents. Gertrude and her children initially welcome Sylvia and her younger sister Jennie, but when Sylvia tells her friend Ricky that Gertrude's daughter Paula is pregnant and in an abusive relationship, Paula becomes enraged and begins to abuse Sylvia. The abuse continues to escalate, with Gertrude and neighborhood children torturing and humiliating Sylvia in the basement. Paula eventually helps Sylvia escape, but it is revealed to be a hallucination and Sylvia dies from her injuries. The abusers are convicted and sentenced in court, and the film ends with Sylvia riding a merry-go-round at the carnival, her only safe place.
An American Crime Ending Explained
The ending of the movie "An American Crime" is a tragic reminder of the devastating effects of abuse and neglect. Despite Sylvia's escape attempt being just a dream, it ultimately led to her death. The testimonies from the Baniszewski children, Jenny, and Gertrude herself show the complex aftermath of the case, where some of the individuals involved received punishment and others struggled with their past. Sylvia's voiceover highlights the unknown fate of some of the people involved, leaving a sense of unresolved pain and trauma. The haunting last scene of Gertrude being tormented by Sylvia's ghost in prison and Sylvia finding solace at the carnival underscores the lasting impact of this horrific crime on all those involved. Though the movie gives more importance to the abuser character to understand “ the thought process or working of the mind of the abuser” than the actual victim of the story Sylvia. The story even though tries to portray a moving plot from the vantage point of Slvyia somehow changes the track to highlight the abuse and the abuser rather than the victim. And does not ask the simple yet critical questions of the agency of a teenage girl and in her imagination who is the authority figure. why should she need to obey the abuser? As a teenager the rage against the authority figure will rage like anything still, why they obey is an important anthropological and sociological question that the movie avoids like an elephant in the room question. Overall if one gets to know the idea of abusers' thoughts then this is a good film that too based on real-life events.
An American Crime Review
The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the performances of the lead actors. Ellen Page, who played Sylvia Likens, was particularly acclaimed for her emotional and raw portrayal of the abuse she suffered. The film was also praised for its unflinching depiction of the horrific events and for shedding light on the true story of Sylvia Likens, which was previously not widely known. However, some critics felt that the film was too graphic and disturbing, with some scenes being difficult to watch. Others criticized the film for its slow pace and lack of narrative depth. Overall, "An American Crime" is a powerful and harrowing film that sheds light on a tragic true story of abuse and neglect. While it may not be for everyone due to its graphic nature, it is a film that is important to watch and reflect upon.
An American Crime Where to Watch?
An American Crime is a movie released in 2007 at the sundance film festival the story revolves around a teenage girl called Sylvia Likens and her caretaker neighbor Gertrude Baniszewski who later became the abuser and her murderer the story originally took place in the 1960s in Indiana based on that story the movie was taken one can watch the movie in OTT platforms. now the film is currently available for watching on OTT platforms like Amazon, Hulu, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes & Youtube Movies. Please note that availability may vary depending on your location and subscription. You may need to rent or purchase the movie on some platforms.
An American Crime Cast
An American Crime movie is a crime horror Movie based on a true story that happened in the 1960’s the movie follows the two main characters they are Gertrude Baniszewski and Sylvia Likens and the plot ends with Sylvia being killed and Gertrude being jailed. Here we have given the cast list as follows
Role
Actor
Gertrude Baniszewski
Catherine Keener
Sylvia Likens
Ellen Page
Andy
James Franco
Paula Baniszewski
Ari Graynor
Lester Likens
Nick Searcy
Rev. Bill
Michael O'Keefe
Betty Likens
Romy Rosemont
Coy Hubbard
Jeremy Sumpter
Ricky Hobbs
Evan Peters
Jennie
Hayley McFarland
Prosecutor
Bradley Whitford
An American Crime Ending Explained
It was released in 2007 at the Sundance film festival
One can watch the movie on OTT platforms like Amazon, Hulu, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes & Youtube Movies please note that availability of the content based on the location may not be available
The main cast is Ellen Page as Sylvia Likens and Catherine Keener as Gertrude Baniszewski