XviewerX This film is excellently put together. It's very strong and really captures the audience emotionally, they will feel as disturbed as the protagonist David is, seeing this innocent girl Meg get tortured worse and worse overtime. It's powerful, and delivers an amazingly horrific experience for viewers.The film generally gets hate for the disturbing torture scenes, but the worst bits are not shown on-screen directly, and these scenes are by no means poorly made at all, just intentionally disturbing. It just means the film is not for you if you hate it because of these scenes.People also hate how David took too long to really start reporting what is happening to Meg. But remember; it was after Meg reported to the police and Ruth and the boys found out that they then really started to torture her. David wouldn't want the same to happen to him. Also remember that Ruth was generally viewed as a normal loving woman among the adults who did not know what was really happening, and remember that David was probably paralyzed in fear from what he has been seeing. So I didn't find David hatable at all, and as intended it was Ruth who I was hating.The acting was also amazing. The only thing I didn't like was how long this film was. I feel like it could have reduced by a good 30 minutes or so, some of the torture scenes in the middle honestly didn't really need to be there and some parts in the beginning and middle were a bit on the boring side and could be cut out. And honestly, how David won in the end was a bit anti-climatic and surprisingly easy, but it was satisfying seeing Ruth get justice at least.If you can handle the disturbing content, I would give this a shot.

jcvamp This film frustrated me. You've got a boy who watches the abuse happening and doesn't protest, yet he obviously knows it's wrong. He's not put in a situation where he's threatened, so I don't see why he wouldn't say something to somebody. It doesn't make sense.I don't know if that qualifies as a spoiler, so I've marked it as one in case.

godheartsu I watched this movie, not knowing what I was going to expect. I'm giving a bad review for the obvious reason: because the story is extremely horrible and sad! NO ONE should EVER abuse anyone!! Watching this movie gave me the worst pain in my stomach because the abuse, physical, mental, and sexual, almost made me sick so bad!! I'm surprised I finished this movie because the abuse starts right out of the gate of the movie because I was hoping Meg would survive at the end of the movie. I'm not incredibly sure, but I think that this story is based on the real life of Sylvia Likens, a 16 year old girl who was abused, starved, and murdered around 1965. The good thing that came out of this story is that her sister, Jenny, survived the horrors of the aunt, or whatever she was. I would love to kill the woman, as well as the kids who beat up Sylvia because that is one of the worst and horrible stories that ever happened! From what I know, the mom of the boys who murdered Sylvia died back in 1990 and THANK GOD SHE'S DEAD!!!! She needed to die for what god-less acts she's committed, as well as her children!!! Only one of her boys, who was released from prison a bit ago, ACTUALLY confessed that what he did was horrible and admits that he was wrong and feels bad for the horrible crime he committed. Whatever happened to those kids, I think almost all of them went to prison from 2-21 years so, that eases the anger and sadness for Sylvia's death. Back to the point of the movie: This movie is incredibly sad, heart-breaking, and stomach-churning that I would advise to never watch but, if anyone can handle the sexual and physical abuse, as well as Meg dying, then good but, I would NEVER watch it again!It was too upsetting and stomach- churning to watch and had me sleeping with every pillow in my bed and put on sleep music to help me sleep that night because it was too scarring and disturbing for me to sleep and I didn't sleep for more then 4 hours and then took a nap later on the next day. To sum it all up: DON'T WATCH the movie, because it's too sad and has some nudity, as well as disturbing actions of physical, mental, and sexual abuse that NOBODY needs to see. Take it from me: don't be scarred to bad to sleep!!

philneil This movie, which is set in late 1950s' sunny America, is the story of a man who recalls events from his past and the experiences endured by his neighbouring friend. As I had no previous knowledge regarding this title, it looked all set to be similar to Stephen Kings 'Stand By Me' - boy was I wrong! NEVER judge a book by its cover! How horrific could it be? Shockingly so! If you are easily traumatised, seriously - do not watch this movie! The more I viewed, the more evil I witnessed. The cinematography is unlike typical horror movies; it's bright, colourful & nostalgic - and it is this style of storytelling that instills a false sense of security and safety. This is definitely not comfortable viewing. I gave this title an 8/10 for style, performance & aesthetic appeal. It is one of those movies you will never forget.