It amazes how capable of evil the human mind can be...

This film is a dramatic re-creation of the events surrounding the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens (Juno star Ellen Page) by Indianapolis housewife Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role). 

It is harrowing to watch, not because it is gory or violent.  In fact, it’s neither of those things.  What gets your skin crawling is the reality of it - knowing that this actually happened, that this poor girl met her end alone in a basement, being punched and kicked and having cigarettes put out on her.  To truly go there, consider her final moments of fear and isolation...pretty harrowing stuff. 

Most folks won’t consider this one “entertaining,” so it didn’t do so hot at the box office.  Still, it documents a true story that should be told (if, for no other reason than to honor the tragic injustice done to this girl) - and does it well.