Girl in the Bunker

About Girl in the Bunker (2018)

"Girl in the Bunker" is a chilling Lifetime Movies' original drama based on a true story. The film chronicles the dark tale of a young girl named Elizabeth Shoaf who was kidnapped and held captive in an underground bunker by a sociopath named Vinson Filyaw.

Plot and Summary

The film unfolds with Elizabeth Shoaf (played by Julia Lalonde), a 14-year-old girl, walking home from school when she is suddenly abducted by a man posing as a police officer. The man turns out to be Vinson Filyaw (played by Henry Thomas), an unemployed construction worker wanted for child molestation, who leads Elizabeth deep into the forest and locks her in a bunker hidden beneath the ground. Over the next 10 days, Elizabeth endures horrifying physical and psychological abuse while she tactically uses her intelligence to manipulate Filyaw, ultimately leading to her rescue.

Making / Production

"Girl in the Bunker" offers an authentic and harrowing portrayal of a brutal captivity. The film was directed by Stephen Kemp and written by Stephen Kemp and David Markus. Stephen Kemp's directing, coupled with the intense performances of characters, immerses the audience into Elizabeth's terrifying ordeal.

Actors

• Julia Lalonde as Elizabeth Shoaf: Julia excellently portrays the resilience, strength and intelligence of Elizabeth. Her performance engages the audience in Elizabeth's struggle for survival throughout the dark ordeal.
• Henry Thomas as Vinson Filyaw: Thomas delivers a chilling portrayal of the sociopathic predator, Filyaw.
• Moira Kelly as Madeline Shoaf: Moira Kelly convincingly portrays the distraught and desperate mother who never loses hope of finding her daughter.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is based on the true events of Elizabeth Shoaf's horrifying abduction in 2006.
• Elizabeth managed to send a text message to her mother through Filyaw's cellphone which eventually led to her rescue.
• Inspite of the tragic events, Elizabeth managed to graduate high school on time and has since gone on to become a mother herself.

Quotes

• "I knew then I was the only one who was going to be able to get myself out of there." – Elizabeth Shoaf
• "He had the perfect setup, the perfect scheme. But he didn’t know what I was capable of." - Elizabeth Shoaf

Music and Soundtrack

• The eerie score by Stacey Hersh enhances the suspense and intensity of the film.