Low-key and frank about Mari's failings, the movie has no interest in sensationalizing the daughter's life and fate. It is a mystery, but also a rich portrait of life in gloomy, working-class Long Island.

Luckily, [Liz] Garbus' direction helps keep the visible parts of the film compelling.

By veering into the humanity of this story, Garbus is able to express the horror without getting too ghoulish.

The lack of resolution inherent in the source material sets up an insurmountable task: the solution to the central crime and mystery that puts this particular story in motion.