HORROR IS REAL

It seems that a large number of movie goers are fans of the horror genre. Theatres fill when the exploits of Michael Meyers, Leatherface or Jason Vorhees arrive. These movies are all known as horror films, but in fact they offer more fantasy than actual horror. The same can not be said of JACK KETCHUM’S THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.

Based on the novel by Ketchum which in turn was based on an actual occurrence, the film is at times disturbing, sentimental and truly horrifying. No monster that arrives infused by lightning or of indestructible strength, this one shows us a monster that could actually live in the house across the street.

When their parents are killed in a car wreck, young Meg (Blythe Auffarth) and Susan (Madeline Taylor) are sent to live with their aunt Ruth (Blanche Baker). In the same house are Ruth’s sons.

Ruth is not your typical housewife. Abandoned years before by the boy’s father, her home is one where all the boys and their friends meet to drink beer and learn about life. Next door neighbor David (Daniel Manche) is a frequent visitor. He is also the first of the gang to meet Meg while catching crawfish at the local creek.

David immediately takes a liking to Meg and the two become friends. But as the story progresses, we find out that Aunt Ruth is not the nice lady she at first appears to be. David finds this hard to believe at first, but the more he sees, the more he realizes how truly evil she is.

As far as Ruth is concerned, she has done nothing wrong. Even after she has her boys hang Meg from the rafters in the cellar and proceed to torture her and more. In her eyes, the eyes of someone insane, she is merely trying to teach the girl a lesson. The truth is none of the boys, Meg or David will walk away from this unscarred.

The movie does not shy away from the disturbing ideas presented. But unlike what some are calling torture porn (like HOSTEL and the SAW films), this movie finds a way to present what is going on without gratuitously satisfying the voyeuristic filmgoer. Those people will be disappointed. But people who appreciate horror films or controversial films will not.

This movie is not for all tastes. It is definitely not a holiday attraction. But for the more discerning viewer, those who appreciate the drama, the story and the real life horror that can be found anywhere, you may want to give this one a watch. Not for the squeamish or for children in any way.

Perhaps if we were made more aware of the real life horrors that are out there, we might have a chance of preventing them. Even though it takes place in 1958, this film might make one pause to take a look around and find the monsters that lurk next door.