An American Crime
Added Updated How We Rate
- Directed by
- Tommy O'Haver
- Written by
- Tommy O'Haver, Irene Turner
- Produced by
- Jocelyn Hayes, Pamela Koffler, Hans Ritter
Why it’s HorroRated
An American Crime is one of the more harrowing true crime films made and it earns that through restraint rather than exploitation. The focus stays on the institutional failure around Sylvia Likens rather than the violence itself. Ellen Page gives a performance that needs to be seen. Not comfortable viewing but serious and necessary.
Synopsis
Based on one of the most documented true crimes of the 1960s, the film handles the material with a restraint that makes it harder to watch than exploitation would have. The focus stays on the institutional failure around Sylvia rather than the violence itself. Ellen Page and Catherine Keener give it the gravity it requires.
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Where to watch An American Crime
- Subscription
- Prime Video · Howdy · fuboTV
- Free
- Prime Video · Tubi · Pluto TV · The Roku Channel · Plex · Fandango at Home · Kanopy · Hoopla +3 more
- Rent or buy
- Prime Video · Apple TV · YouTube · Google Play · Fandango at Home
Streaming in the US changes often. Listings from JustWatch via TMDB, checked November 10, 2026.See every option
Quick facts
- Release date
- July 27, 2007
- Runtime
- 1 hour 37 mins
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English
- Content rating
- R
- Entry type
- Movie
Content notes
- Violence and peril
- Sexual content or nudity
- Disturbing themes
Tags
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