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An American Crime

Play trailer Poster for An American Crime R,  2007,  1h 38m,  Crime/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 40% 15 Reviews Tomatometer 74% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
40% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Gertrude Baniszewski, a divorced mother of several children, agrees to take care of two girls, Sylvia and Jennie, while their parents travel with a carnival. Though her eldest daughter is the real troublemaker, Gertrude vents all her bitterness and frustration on innocent Sylvia. Gertrude imprisons the girl in the basement and tortures her, eventually encouraging her children to follow suit.

Critics Reviews

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Ginia Bellafante New York Times Jun 28, 2019
An American Crime is the most brutal evocation of wrongdoing to appear in quite a while; it is hardly a pleasure to watch. But it is also one of the best television movies to appear in years. Go to Full Review
John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture Jan 5, 2018
An American Crime, wonderfully mounted, wholly absorbing, is also full of blank uneasiness. Go to Full Review
Matt Noller Slant Magazine Aug 18, 2008
0/4
If Eli Roth were to direct a Lifetime movie, it might look something like An American Crime. Go to Full Review
JK Sooja Common Sense Media Aug 26, 2024
For many, it will be hard not seeing An American Crime as simply a series of increasingly horrible scenes of torture. Go to Full Review
Christopher Lloyd Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sep 2, 2010
3/5
By instead focusing more on the character of Gertrude Baniszewski, the film relegates Sylvia Likens to a cypher with no real identity - she's simply a vessel for abuse. Go to Full Review
Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Aug 22, 2008
1/5
Um projeto que encara a desgraa alheia como mero trampolim para o entretenimento. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Albus R Feb 10, 2019 Everything about this is a dark after school special. The sad part, I read the accounts of what really happened to the girl, and the writers and directors made this soft for the audience. At the end, they say the primary suspect took responsibility for her actions, really- she told the parole board she couldn't remember her involvement due to drugs, but takes responsibility even though she doesn't remember. Sounds like Parole Board b.s. to get out. What a disjustice this movie did the victim by not portraying the real actions of the neighbors, and diminishing the victims torture. See more
Harry W Jan 23, 2019 This movie was chilling and terrifying. It details the story of Sylvia Linkens, and her gut wrenching story. It pierced my soul as it carefully details the true human nature and Lord Of the Flies mentality within a household. It doesn't hold back, taking many risks and showing the extent of the torture Sylvia received. It payed homage to the girl who never got to tell her story. And the acting was amazing. See more
Ron R Jan 20, 2019 A very disturbing film that is based on a real life murder. Uncomfortable to watch, but well-made with solid acting. (First and only viewing - 1/20/2019) See more
Jan 20, 2019 Scary movie based on a real thrilling story that took place in Indianapolis in 1960s. The main problem is what triggered all this madness which resulted in such a tragic end. See more
Kylo S Jan 11, 2019 Dude WHAT THE FUCK. everything in this movie is so negative. damn! Like every single interaction from the very very beginning to the end. And yes, I know it is supposed to to be a messed up movie about abuse with the ï¿ 1/2 1/2lady keeper ï¿ 1/2 1/2 but even the beginning was so disgusting ugh. Like every thing about this movie made be so mad OTHER THAN THE CHILD ABUSE. Maybe thatï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)s what they were going for? To make the whole movie fucking disgusting? Welp, ya did it. See more
Theodore L Dec 4, 2018 Pure crap. Horrible storytelling (or lack thereof). No backstories on the characters, especially Gertie and what made her so violent to only one girl and none of the other kids. WHY was Franco even in this? He adds absolutely nothing to the story or movie. Acting was very subpar. A shell of a story and movie. See more
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An American Crime

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis Gertrude Baniszewski, a divorced mother of several children, agrees to take care of two girls, Sylvia and Jennie, while their parents travel with a carnival. Though her eldest daughter is the real troublemaker, Gertrude vents all her bitterness and frustration on innocent Sylvia. Gertrude imprisons the girl in the basement and tortures her, eventually encouraging her children to follow suit.
Director
Tommy O'Haver
Producer
Henry Winterstern, Kevin Turen, Katie Roumel, Jocelyn Hayes Simpson, Christine Vachon
Screenwriter
Tommy O'Haver, Irene Turner
Production Co
Killer Films, John Wells Productions, First Look Media
Rating
R (Strong & Disturbing Depiction|Child Abuse/Torture)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Runtime
1h 38m
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