Girl in the Basement

Why would they hire actress Elisabeth Röhm, to direct this film, when she's never been behind a camera before? This was such a troubling and horrific true story event, it needed professionals to tell it. The screenplay was on point, but Röhm's failure to direct her cast and scenes properly, really failed this film. Performances were adequate to decent, but that was strictly from the merits of the actors following a screenplay. Stefanie Scott's performance got better as the movie progressed, but I'm sure that was due to her getting comfortable with her character. Even Judd Nelson's performance was stale and amateurish, that with a better director, he would've shined. Had a seasoned director been involved, this could've been much more gut-wrenching and epic film. Nevertheless, it's a story that needed to be told, and I'm glad it was; It was a bold move for Lifetime to produce this. I just wish it was told in a better way. It's a generous 6/10 from me.

Disagree with reviews of bad acting. All actors did quite well with what was given them. They had to summarize 20 years into a 90 minute movie so at least it moves fast and keeps you engaged.

Yes it may be a lesson for creeps to repeat this crime but it is also a lesson for the people living around it.

• if a daughter had a shaky relationship with her step or real father and she disappears he likely had something to do with it
• if he spends a lot of time in the basement after the disappearance, check the basement
• if you check the basement and the size does not match up with the size of the house there are likely hidden rooms
• if you're a neighbor who sees a flashlight signal coming from the basement don't knock on the door and tell the occupant, call the cops to check it out.

He may have made the basement sound proof from her and her babies screaming but I doubt that if she banged on the walls or sink that the vibrations would not be heard upstairs.

The delivering through a low budget standardized package of generic tv drama prevents the implications of such events to be fully developed for its own flaws of mediocre acting, underdeveloped plot and neglected atmosphere.

Still, there's something remaining that may make the movie watchable but the disappointment that it should've been much better exists.

The true story behind this film , just proves ones again ,that humans are the terrible creatures , capable of unspeakable things ... Film itself is not bad , just feels that something missing ...

My comments on this movie:

1. This was not the typical LMN or Lifetime movie - good performances by all. 2. Shocking violence, though there was not very much. 3. Disturbing implication of incest between the father and daughter. 4. Judd Nelson's portrayal of the father seemed disturbingly real. 5. The ending took some of the edge off the movie, but left some questions.

Do not watch this if you are in a depressed mood.