The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane is a cult psychological thriller from 1976, directed by Nicolas Gessner and based on the 1974 novel by Laird Koenig. It stars Jodie Foster (who was only 13 at the time) in one of her early, striking roles — released the same year as Taxi Driver.
📖 Plot summary (no big spoilers):
The film centers on Rynn Jacobs, a fiercely independent 13-year-old girl who lives alone in a secluded house in a small New England town. The neighbors think her father — a poet — is always busy working upstairs. But as nosy adults and predatory men start to intrude, it becomes clear that Rynn is hiding something to protect her autonomy and secrets at all costs.
She befriends a teenage boy named Mario, who helps her fend off the suspicions of local busybodies — especially Frank Hallet, a menacing local creep played chillingly by Martin Sheen. The story slowly reveals what happened to Rynn’s parents and how far she’s willing to go to protect her solitude.
🎭 Themes:
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Childhood innocence vs. adult corruption
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Autonomy and control (especially for a young girl)
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Predatory adults and power dynamics
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Isolation and self-reliance
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The gothic feel of secrets in a quiet small town
🎥 Why it’s notable:
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Jodie Foster’s performance is hauntingly mature and nuanced, especially given her age.
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It’s unsettling but restrained — more psychological tension than outright horror.
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It’s sometimes discussed as an early feminist thriller: a young girl using her wits to survive predatory adults in a world that wants to exploit her.
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Its tone is bleak but oddly empowering — Rynn refuses to be a victim.
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