Many popular horror movies have been widely recognized for their connection to true stories. However, there are several lesser-known gems that remain in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. In this bone-chilling exploration, we delve into a selection of horror films that draw upon real-life horrors, shedding light on the untold stories that lurk beneath the surface. Brace yourself as we journey into the realm of true-life terror, where the line between fact and fiction blurs.
The Chilling True Stories Behind Horror Movies | Part 1
“The Entity” (1982)
Based on the disturbing case of Doris Bither, “The Entity” tells the harrowing story of a woman who claims to be sexually assaulted by a malevolent supernatural force.
Doris Bither’s life was undeniably tragic— an alcoholic drug user with failed marriages, she lived in a squalid, condemned home with her children. They reported seeing semi-transparent apparitions in the house, and Bither claimed these spirits physically and sexually assaulted her and one of her sons. Unable to seek help from the police, she confided in a friend who shared her experiences with parapsychologists Barry Taff and Kerry Gaynor. Intrigued, the pair interviewed Bither in August 1974, hoping to research a real haunting. However, the involvement of self-styled ghost hunters potentially worsened her situation, rather than providing the help she truly needed.
The film explores the psychological and physical torment that Doris endured, drawing from real-life accounts of paranormal investigators who documented the chilling events surrounding her.
“The Girl Next Door” (2007)
Inspired by the true story of Sylvia Likens, “The Girl Next Door” reveals the horrific abuse and torture inflicted upon Sylvia by her caregiver and the caregiver’s children.
The real-life Sylvia Likens suffered a tragic fate, dying in a similar manner to the character Meg from the movie. However, there was no real-life counterpart to David, a character who was trying to protect her. Sylvia and her sister, Jenny, ended up living with a mentally unstable family friend, Gertrude Baniszewski, after their parents were unable to care for them. When payment from their father was delayed, Gertrude’s abuse intensified, locking Sylvia in a room and subjecting her to punishment, while Jenny helplessly listened outside.
Accusing Sylvia of being a prostitute, Gertrude had hurtful words carved on her abdomen. Plus, he blocked her from receiving outside help. Sensing Sylvia’s imminent demise, Gertrude coerced Sylvia into writing a false letter about running away with boys, who supposedly beat and killed her. Despite their attempts to escape, Sylvia and Jenny were too weak and malnourished.
Sylvia died from malnutrition and a brain hemorrhage on December 26. So, when the truth came to light, Gertrude and her accomplices were arrested. She served 20 years in prison before passing away five years after her release.
“The Haunting in Connecticut” (2009)
The film “The Haunting in Connecticut” recounts the chilling tale of the Snedeker family, who, in 1986, moved into an old house in Southington, Connecticut. Their new abode, unbeknownst to them, had once been a funeral parlor, setting the stage for a series of horrifying events. Their eldest son started witnessing ghosts and frightening visions, while the entire family experienced disturbing encounters, including alleged assaults by demons. Seeking help, they reached out to self-proclaimed “demonologists” and “ghost hunters” Ed and Lorraine Warren, who declared the house infested with demons. The Snedekers’ story gained significant attention and was even turned into a book and later a movie, both claiming to be based on true events.
However, doubts arose about the authenticity of their account, with conflicting testimonies and allegations that some parts of the story were embellished or fabricated. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the allure of “based on true events” stories has a long history, and skeptics warn against being too easily convinced by such claims.
“Wolf Creek” (2005)
The true Wolf Creek story unfolds far from Wolfe Creek National Park, in the Northern Territory. It’s about two thousand kilometers away. On July 14, 2001, British tourists Peter Falconio (then 28) and Joanne Lees embarked on a night journey along the Stuart Highway from Alice Springs to Darwin. Halfway between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, near Barrow Creek, a mechanic named Bradley John Murdoch lured them to pull over. He was claiming sparks were coming from their van’s exhaust. As Peter went to the back with Murdoch, Joanne heard what seemed like a gunshot. Murdoch then appeared at her window, brandishing a gun, and forcibly took her into his vehicle, leaving Peter behind. Joanne eventually managed to escape, hiding in the bush as Murdoch searched for her. Hours later, she was rescued by two truck drivers. Murdoch was captured after the largest Northern Territory police investigation.
Although many questions remain unanswered, he was found guilty in December 2005. He was sentenced to at least 28 years in prison, with his appeal being rejected in January 2007.
“The Town That Dreaded Sundown” (2014)
“The Town That Dreaded Sundown,” a 1976 horror film, is based on the infamous murders committed by the still unidentified Phantom Killer, also known as the Phantom Slayer or the Phantom Killer. The crimes took place in the Texarkana metropolitan statistical area, nestled between Texas and Arkansas. It became known as the Texarkana Moonlight Murders due to the killer striking victims on weekend nights between February and May. Despite numerous suspects (almost 400 in total), the true culprit remains unnamed, leaving behind a legacy of lore and theories. The film closely follows the real timeline, with minor artistic liberties taken, and victim names changed for privacy. The world premiere was held in Texarkana, adding to the strange atmosphere. So the movie has become a tradition there, screened near Halloween at the end of a series of weekly movie showings.
The events also inspired a 1976 film of the same title, a song titled “Texarkana Moonlight” by The Bad Detectives, and various books and novels. The case drew significant attention at local, state, and national levels, with communities joining forces to capture the elusive killer, some even attempting to set up traps to catch the Phantom Slayer.
Stay tuned for Part 2. Until then, check out The classic horror movies that Predicted the Future.
