An American Crime

United StatesDrama1 Hour 38 Mins

An award-nominated drama, based on a true story. Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener), a divorced mother of several children, agrees to take care of two girls, Sylvia (Elliot Page) and Jennie (Hayley McFarland), while their parents travel with a carnival. Though her eldest daughter is the real troublemaker, Gertrude vents all her bitterness and frustration on innocent Sylvia. Eventually, Gertrude imprisons the girl in the basement and tortures her, encouraging her children to follow suit.