An American Crime

Set in suburban Indiana during the early 1960s, An American Crime follows the harrowing true story of Sylvia Likens (Elliot Page), a teenage girl whose life changes forever after her parents leave her and her sister Jenny in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener). At first, Gertrude seems like a responsible guardian, a struggling mother trying to make ends meet while caring for her own children. But beneath her polite exterior lies frustration, jealousy, and an anger that slowly turns cruel.

As days pass, Gertrude’s strict rules and harsh punishments spiral into shocking abuse. She begins to direct her rage towards Sylvia, blaming her for problems that have nothing to do with her. Soon, the other children in the house and even some from the neighbourhood are drawn into Gertrude’s twisted control, turning the once lively home into a place of fear and silence.

Sylvia’s younger sister Jenny can only watch helplessly, trapped by her own fear and Gertrude’s threats. The film unfolds through a mix of courtroom scenes and flashbacks, revealing how the truth eventually comes to light. Every testimony exposes another piece of a crime so disturbing that it shocked an entire community.

Powerfully acted by Catherine Keener and Elliot Page, An American Crime explores how ordinary people can commit extraordinary cruelty when fear and power take hold. It is not only a story of violence, but also one of resilience and lost innocence. In the end, it stands as a painful reminder that silence allows cruelty to grow and that speaking up can be the only way to stop it.