Is The Girl Next Door based on a true story, How to watch it?
by Maivizhi A
Updated Mar 08, 2023
Is The Girl Next Door based on a true story?
The film The Girl Next Door, directed by Gregory M. Wilson and adapted from Jack Ketchum's 1989 novel of the same title, has piqued the interest of some viewers who have only recently discovered it, as they wonder about the assertions that it is based on a real-life account. Unfortunately, the story behind The Girl Next Door is indeed derived from true events.
Is The Girl Next Door a Real Story?
Jack Ketchum's disturbing novel was inspired by the murder of Sylvia Likens in 1965, and the character of Meg Loughlin in the book was influenced by her tragic story. The film adaptation is dedicated to Sylvia's memory. Sylvia was born in 1949 and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana with her parents and siblings. She attended Arsenal Technical High School and became acquainted with a single mother named Gertrude Baniszewski through some friends. Gertrude's character in the novel, Ruth, was inspired by her.
When Sylvia's family fell on hard times, they were encouraged to leave Sylvia and her younger sister Jenny with Gertrude. The girls moved in with Gertrude, and at first, everything seemed to be going well as they became part of the family. However, when the payments from Sylvia's parents to Gertrude started arriving late, things took a dark turn.
The Girl Next Door Review
The Girl Next Door is, in all honesty, a fantastic horror film, much like The Conjuring, Psycho, and other true story-inspired horrors. It boasts excellent period production design, is well-written, well-acted, well-shot, and is genuinely horrifying. Even if the violence is disturbing, it would be less difficult to live with if it were all made up. But the fact that this awful, horrifying true story actually happened to a real person is emotionally heartbreaking and draining, making it difficult to watch the movie.
Remarkably, even seasoned horror fans find The Girl Next Door movie to be very frightening, but the book is really even bloodier than the movie. The book is comparatively lot more gory and descriptive, even though the characters and stories are of course comparable.
It's a dark, harsh, and sometimes powerfully unpleasant film, but it's also very well made. If you are easily disturbed, you should not watch this movie. Words simply don't do it justice; it's a masterpiece
The Girl Next Door Ending explained
Frustrated and unable to direct her anger towards the parents, she resorted to abusing the two young girls she had invited as guests. Both girls were subjected to humiliation and torture, but over time, the abuse became focused mainly on Sylvia. The motive behind Gertrude's cruel treatment of Sylvia is believed to have been jealousy and insecurity related to the girl's appearance.
Gertrude not only physically harmed Sylvia herself but also allowed her children and other children in the neighborhood to participate in the torture. Despite Sylvia's parents coming to visit, the two sisters did not inform them of the abuse they were enduring, likely due to Gertrude's intimidating presence in the room.
Tragically, the torture persisted, and Sylvia eventually passed away at the age of 16 on October 26th, 1965. Jenny, Sylvia's sister, made a statement that implicated Gertrude, her children, and others in the murder charges, leading to their arrest. The trial for Sylvia's death involved Gertrude, Paula, John, Coy, and Richard on December 30th, 1965.
The jury found Gertrude guilty of first-degree murder, while Paula was sentenced for second-degree murder. The three boys involved were convicted of manslaughter and received 2-21 years, whereas Gertrude and Paula were given life sentences.
Gertrude passed away in 1990 due to complications related to lung cancer. Jenny's statement was crucial in bringing those responsible to justice for Sylvia's tragic death.
How to watch The Girl Next Door Movie?
Currently you are able to watch "The Girl Next Door" streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It is also possible to buy "The Girl Next Door" on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube as download or rent it on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube online.
Is The Girl Next Door based on a true story - FAQs
Yes, The Girl next door is based on a real story
Currently you are able to watch "The Girl Next Door" streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It is also possible to buy "The Girl Next Door" on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube as download or rent it on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube online.
The Girl Next Door is a 2007 American horror movie.
The Girl Next Door was directed by Gregory M. Wilson
Jack Ketchum's disturbing novel was inspired by the murder of Sylvia Likens in The Girl Next Door.