Gardens of the Night 2008

At just eight years old, a young girl named Leslie, portrayed by Gillian Jacobs, is kidnapped by the sinister duo of Alex and Frank, played by Tom Arnold and Kevin Zegers, respectively. Initially, Alex lures her into a false sense of security by pretending to search for his lost dog, Trixie, during a car ride to school. He cunningly deceives her into believing that her father is his boss, manipulating her trust.

Once the school day ends, the kidnappers execute their plan, ensnaring Leslie with a story about her father’s supposed troubles. They drug her and transport her to their house, where Alex coldly tells her that her parents no longer want her, even providing a payphone number for her to call—one that never connects to her father. As her futile attempts to reach her family are ignored, she ultimately succumbs to their narrative. Alongside another victim, a boy named Donny, she is coerced into a dark world of prostitution and child pornography.

Surprisingly, despite the grim situation, Alex presents himself as a protective father figure, which deepens Leslie’s confusion about her circumstances. The predatory clientele they encounter includes men of authority, such as a court judge, who mislead the children to believe they are fortunate to be with such ‘honorable’ figures. To cope with their reality, Donny and Leslie create an imaginary world inspired by Mowgli from The Jungle Book, navigating their harrowing existence together.

One fateful day, while visiting a convenience store, Leslie glances at milk cartons featuring her missing person’s photo—yet remains oblivious to her parents’ ongoing search. Fortunately, an astute store owner recognizes her and contacts law enforcement. Just as the police arrive, Alex and Frank manage to evade capture, whisking the children away to safety.

Years later, the narrative shifts to reveal a more desperate reality—Leslie and Donny are now entangled in a life of survival, with Leslie resorting to prostitution. While Leslie attempts to lure a young teen from a local shelter into a similar fate, Donny harbors deeper feelings for her. Despite their sibling-like bond, Leslie struggles with her emotions, feeling confused by Donny’s affections. In a pivotal moment of change, she decides against exploiting the girl and instead opts to return her to safety.

During this pivotal encounter, the shelter counselor, played by John Malkovich, uncovers Leslie’s true identity and informs her that her parents have been searching for her all these years. This revelation shakes Leslie’s understanding of her past, and she strives to reconnect with her family. However, the trauma of her experiences makes reintegration into a normal life challenging. Ultimately, she flees back into the night, embarking on a journey to Florida with the hope of reuniting with Donny, the only person who truly understands her scars.