Girl in the Basement (2021)
A chilling Lifetime thriller inspired by a true story of captivity, survival, and the darkness that can hide behind closed doors.
Girl in the Basement - Movie Information
- Original Title: Girl in the Basement
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Elisabeth Röhm
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Crime, TV Movie
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: Big Dreams Entertainment, Swirl Films, Lifetime
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Menina no porão (BR), 地牢里的女孩 (CN)
Girl in the Basement - Plot
Sara is a teen girl who is looking forward to her 18th birthday to move away from her controlling father Don. But before she could even blow out the candles, Don imprisons her in the basement of their home.
Girl in the Basement - Trailer
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Girl in the Basement - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Elisabeth Röhm
Main Cast
- Judd Nelson
- Stefanie Scott
- Joely Fisher
- Braxton Bjerken
- Kim Rosen
- Emily Topper
- Emma Myers
- Jake Nuttall
- Liam Pileggi
- Jake Etheridge
Writers
- Manu Boyer
- Leslie Greif
- Barbara Marshall
Producers
- Ron Robinson
- Eric Tomosunas
- Alex Kerr
- Sebastian Dungan
Girl in the Basement - FAQs
Is Girl in the Basement based on a true story?
Yes, Girl in the Basement is inspired by the real-life case of Elisabeth Fritzl, an Austrian woman imprisoned and abused by her father Josef Fritzl in a basement dungeon for 24 years. The film fictionalizes names and details but closely mirrors the harrowing events of that case.
What happened to Sara at the end of Girl in the Basement?
Sara is ultimately rescued after years of captivity when one of her children becomes critically ill and requires hospital care. This forces her father Don to seek outside medical help, which leads to Sara's discovery and liberation. She survives and is reunited with her family above ground.
Where can you stream Girl in the Basement?
Girl in the Basement is available to stream on Hulu, Disney Plus, Tubi TV (free with ads), Hoopla, and Fawesome. It is also available through Lifetime Movie Club and its Apple TV and Amazon channels. Rental and purchase options exist on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main actors in Girl in the Basement?
The film stars Stefanie Scott as Sara, the imprisoned daughter, and Judd Nelson as Don, her controlling and abusive father. Joely Fisher plays Irene, Don's wife, while Braxton Bjerken portrays Michael. Emma Myers and Jake Nuttall also appear in supporting roles.
What is the age rating for Girl in the Basement?
Girl in the Basement is rated PG-13 in the United States. Given its subject matter — long-term imprisonment, abuse, and psychological trauma inspired by a real criminal case — viewer discretion is advised, particularly for younger or sensitive audiences.
Who directed Girl in the Basement?
Girl in the Basement was directed by Elisabeth Röhm, an actress and filmmaker best known for her roles in Law & Order and Angel. Röhm brings a focused, emotionally grounded approach to this Lifetime thriller, keeping the narrative tense and character-driven throughout its 88-minute runtime.
How long is Girl in the Basement?
Girl in the Basement has a runtime of 88 minutes (1 hour and 28 minutes). As a Lifetime TV movie, it is designed for a single sitting and maintains a brisk pace that keeps the tension high from the opening scenes through to its resolution.
What are similar movies to Girl in the Basement?
Viewers who enjoyed Girl in the Basement may also appreciate An American Crime (2007), Cleveland Abduction (2015), Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey (2018), and Citizen X (1995). These films similarly explore themes of captivity, abuse, and survival, often drawing from real criminal cases.
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