before i get into the film let me briefly surmise the actual case that this film be base on . firstly and the actual case of sylvia likens be in reality much more brutal than this movie portray . if you can try for a moment to wrap your mind around that fact than you can begin to fathom the unbelievable torture that this young woman actually endure . the actual case take place in the 1960s but for some odd reason this story be set in the 1950s this be where the confusion begin . also and in the actual case and sylvia be not rap nor be she force to suffer the final indignity that the character in this movie do . that aside and this be a shockingly brutal and powerful film . yes the acting be stiff but i do believe that this be intentional in order to reflect the time . this film be a period piece and should be take a such . when you take a look at the cast and realize the caliber of actor or actress in this film anyone can easily see that these be not bad actor . much of the brutality in this film be imply violence rather than in your face blood and gut . there be cut aways during some of the more intense moment of the torture scene but in many way this make thing even bad . in this sense and this be genius film making . it make the viewer believe that they have see something much more horrific than they actually have and not to say that this make the image see in this film any less disturbing . a friend of mine who watch this film with me tell me that he be unable to sleep for the rest of the night because of this film . and be talk about a grown man in his late thirty . that the sort of impact a film like this have . i be look forward to an american crime which be base on the court transcript of the actual case and should adhere more to the fact but nonetheless the girl next door be a film that punch you in the gut and refuse to relinquish it grip on your sens .