Sylvia (2026)
The prolonged murder of 16-year-old Sylvia Marie Likens in 1965 remains the most gruesome crime committed in the state of Indiana and one of the most inhumane cases of fatal child abuse in American history. And yet, it's a story that's not nearly discussed enough. In the 60 years since the crime was committed, there have only been two cinematic adaptations: both were released in 2007, one ( An American Crime ) is an official made-for-TV dramatization, the other ( The Girl Next Door ) a largely fictionalized horror film. Worst of all, despite two sets of excellent performances from the actresses playing the victim and villainess, both are terrible motion pictures in their own ways. Perhaps the subject matter—a teenage girl is brutalized incrementally over the course of three months until her body finally gives way—is too harrowing, inhumane, and graphic to translate into a legitimately compelling film without straying into the hideous realm of exploitation. While we await a d...