An American Crime Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two sisters get stuck babysitting for a woman who’s apparently allergic to money and common sense, leading to a prolonged game of ‘who can be the meanest?’ until everyone loses.

🍿 An American Crime: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Carnival Roots and a Fateful Arrangement

In 1965, sisters Sylvia and Jennie Likens are left in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski, a struggling single mother in Indiana, while their parents work the carnival circuit. Gertrude, needing the money, agrees to watch the girls, setting in motion a tragic chain of events. This arrangement, initially intended to provide stability for Sylvia and Jennie, quickly devolves into a nightmare.

Escalating Abuse and a Basement Imprisonment

Fuelled by financial stress and a volatile temper, Gertrude begins to abuse Sylvia. A series of misunderstandings and accusations lead to increasingly severe punishments. The abuse escalates as Gertrude’s children and neighborhood kids join in, creating a mob mentality that targets Sylvia. Eventually, Sylvia is imprisoned in the basement, marking the beginning of a horrifying ordeal.

A Descent into Unthinkable Cruelty

Confined to the basement, Sylvia endures unimaginable torture. Gertrude and the others inflict physical and emotional pain, branding her with horrific messages. Even as some express guilt or concern, the abuse continues, fueled by Gertrude’s manipulative control and the group’s disturbing complicity. The film portrays this period with restrained yet powerful imagery, focusing on the psychological impact of the violence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sylvia Likens (Elliot Page): A trusting teenager who becomes the victim of horrific abuse while under the care of Gertrude Baniszewski.
• Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener): A troubled single mother who subjects Sylvia to escalating and brutal torture.
• Jennie Likens (Hayley McFarland): Sylvia’s younger sister, who witnesses the abuse and struggles with fear and helplessness.
• Paula Baniszewski (Ari Graynor): Gertrude’s eldest daughter, whose initial conflict with Sylvia escalates into participation in the abuse.
• Ricky Hobbs (Evan Peters): A neighborhood boy who is initially drawn to Sylvia but becomes involved in her torture.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sylvia Likens: “Reverend Bill used to say, ‘For every situation, God always has a plan.’ I guess I’m still trying to figure out what that plan was.” – Spoken in narration, reflecting on the tragic events and questioning the presence of divine intervention.
• Jenny Likens: “Get me out of here and I’ll tell you everything.” – Said to the police as they were leaving, signaling her willingness to testify against Gertrude and the others involved.
• Gertrude Baniszewski: “There are things in life we have to do whether we like them or not.” – Spoken with a chilling calmness, rationalizing her actions and portraying them as necessary.
• Sylvia Likens: “I’m sorry” – Apologizing even when she has done nothing wrong in order to stop the torture and abuse

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $1,306,875

💥 An American Crime Reviews

Personal Review

This movie is brutal, not in a gory way, but because it showcases the worst of humanity. Watching Sylvia’s innocence get slowly crushed was heartbreaking. I found myself constantly hoping for a different outcome, even though I knew the true story. Ellen Page’s performance is incredible, and Catherine Keener is chilling. Be prepared for a tough watch, but one that will definitely stay with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in true crime dramas”
  • “Fans of Ellen Page and Catherine Keener’s acting”
  • “Individuals seeking thought-provoking and challenging films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Child abuse”
  • “Torture”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Disturbing content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Keener delivers a nuanced performance as Baniszewski, portraying her not as a monster, but as a flawed and vulnerable individual. Page’s portrayal of Sylvia is equally compelling, capturing the character’s innocence and resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty. O’Haver’s direction is skillful, creating a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere that heightens the emotional impact of the story.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Director Tommy O’Haver handles the difficult material with sensitivity and restraint, avoiding sensationalism while still conveying the horror of Sylvia’s ordeal. The film is a powerful and disturbing portrait of human cruelty and the dangers of mob mentality.
• RogerEbert.com: “What makes An American Crime so disturbing is that it doesn’t offer easy answers or simple explanations. The film is a bleak and unsettling reminder of the capacity for evil that exists within ordinary people.

Audience Reactions

Ellen Page’s performance was amazing, really captured the character’s suffering.: Viewers were especially moved by the performances of Ellen Page and Catherine Keener.

Disturbing, but important to watch to understand how cruelty can escalate in a community.: Many felt that it was a difficult but necessary film to watch for its social commentary.

Overall Consensus: A harrowing and disturbing film based on a true story, praised for its powerful performances but criticized for its intense subject matter.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the true story of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old who was tortured and murdered in 1965 by Gertrude Baniszewski and several other children.”
• “Catherine Keener initially hesitated to take on the role of Gertrude Baniszewski due to the disturbing nature of the character and the real-life events.”
• “The filmmakers used actual court transcripts to ensure accuracy in the dialogue and portrayal of events during the trial scenes.”
• “To avoid glorifying the violence, director Tommy O’Haver chose to suggest much of the torture rather than depicting it graphically.”

🖥️ How to Watch An American Crime?

An American Crime is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video for rent or purchase. It’s also available on Apple TV. Check your local listings for broadcast options. If you prefer physical copies, it’s generally available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray through retailers like Amazon and other online stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed An American Crime, you might like these similar films:

• The Girl Next Door (2007): Another film based on the same Sylvia Likens case, offering a different interpretation of the events, often considered more graphic and disturbing.
• Compliance (2012): Explores the disturbing phenomenon of obedience to authority and how easily people can be manipulated into committing terrible acts.
• Boys Don’t Cry (1999): Based on the true story of Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was murdered for his identity, highlighting themes of prejudice and violence.
• Capote (2005): A biographical crime drama that delves into the psychological impact of researching a brutal murder case, similar to the emotionally heavy and dark nature of ‘An American Crime’.

🛒 An American Crime Related Products

• True Crime: An American Tragedy – Sylvia Likens: A deeply disturbing and fact based account of the real-life Sylvia Likens case that digs deeper into the disturbing details.
• Gertrude Baniszewski True Evil T-Shirt: A dark humor shirt aimed at collectors who study true crime. May spark conversations and trigger reflection.
• An American Crime [Blu-ray]: Experience the intensity of ‘An American Crime’ in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Relive the shocking true story with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• True Crime Documentaries Streaming Access: Gain access to a wide range of true crime documentaries exploring similar cases and themes, deepening your understanding of the dark side of human behavior.

🎧 Soundtrack

An American Crime features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Downtown” – performed by Petula Clark
• “You Don’t Own Me” – performed by Lesley Gore
• “Baby I’m Yours” – performed by Van McCoy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

An American Crime (2007) | DISTURBING BREAKDOWN

Want to understand the real horror behind ‘An American Crime’? This video breaks down the most disturbing aspects of the film and its connection to the true story of Sylvia Likens. Trust me, it’s a tough watch, but it really puts the movie into perspective.

✨ Rate