DVD Review: The Girl Next Door
The Girl Next Door (2007)
Studio: Anchor Bay
DVD Release Date: December 4, 2007
Directed By: Gregory Wilson
Cast: Blythe Auffarth, Daniel Manche, Blanche Baker,
Brutal As Hell Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Review By: Marc Patterson
Based on the novel of the same name by famed horror author Jack Ketchum, The Girl Next Door takes a grossly intimate look at extreme child abuse in a coming of age film you will never forget, no matter how hard you might try.
I remember first picking this novel up before I headed out into the woods for a long weekend. It’s tradition for me to find a book that will scare the ever living shit out of me while I’m camping in the woods. Light a fire and spend the afternoon downing a novel and a bottle of Tequila. Knowing Jack Ketchum to be a guaranteed good time I snagged The Girl Next Door and didn’t shake it off for a week afterwards.
As news of the film started trickling out I approached with extreme hesitancy. Casting shots and rumors of how stunning the film was turning out to be hit the internet, and I was put a bit at ease, but still remained reserved for what was to come. When I was finally able to sit down to screen this film I was floored. I didn’t expect a perfect adaptation, but this film couldn’t have hit the nail any more dead on. Watching the characters of David and Meg on screen was like watching them in my imagination while reading. Ruth was every bit the psychotic mom next door expected, and the horrors that ensued couldn’t have been more excruciating and uncomfortable than Director Gregory Wilson made it.
The Girl Next Door gets straight A’s across the board. The casting and acting was superb and top notch. The cinematography was gorgeous, capturing the exact mood just as it was intended. The sets, the costumes, the way the story played out – all straight A’s.
I rarely give a film 4 ½ out of 5 stars, but this one is truly deserving. Not only is this hands down the best book to screen adaptation I’ve seen anywhere, in any genre, but the film was every bit riveting and visceral as my experience reading the book. For fans of horror, who value their home collection even half as much as I do, renting isn’t even an option. Run to your nearest retailer and buy this film now.
