12 Underrated Horror Movie Gems From The 2000s

Jack Ketchum’s disquieting 1989 novel makes for one of the grimmest entries on this or any other list. The harrowing story is inspired by the unspeakably evil 1965 murder of Sylvia Likens case in Indianapolis.

A hellish look into the worst of suburban crime, The Girl Next Door follows a grown man’s recollections of the crimes he witnessed as a teenager in 1958. His first ever teenage crush, Meg Loughlin, gradually becomes the victim of all manner of sadistic abuse at the hands of her aunt Ruth.

The film starts on a dark note and only gets lower from there. It’s depictions of torture are among some of the most horrific put to film, made worse by the gritty, realistic atmosphere that permeates throughout. Devoid of any humour or hope, the film is made all the more unnerving by its links to true crime. Unflinching in its depiction of some of the worst cruelty recent history has had to offer, The Girl Next Door is definitely not for the faint of heart.

For those who can stomach it, The Girl Next Door is about as intense a cinematic experience as one can find.