The Girl Next Door (2007, Gregory Wilson)
The Girl Next Door takes horror and brings it back to suburban America where it probably belongs. It is the story of a young girl who undergoes a series of unspeakable acts of cruelty at the hands of her aunt and cousins. Imagine Cinderella being directed by Takashi Miike. The main theme of the film is the danger of inaction but that worth-exploring message doesn’t make the film any more watchable; I was numbed by the constant brutality and nihilist atmosphere. It was inspired by true events and I really hope that the filmmakers made up most of the story because it is hard to imagine this kind of evil really exists. And director Gregory Wilson is not scared of crossing the line here and there. Blanche Baker is unforgettable as the sadistic Aunt. Needless to say, it is not for the squeamish. I kid you not when I say I had few nightmares thanks to this film.
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