"Based on true events" or "Inspired by true events" is not that uncommon for film, especially the thriller and horror genres. The new film, THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN, is one of them. Though completely fictional, it is inspired by the real life Florida serial killer Billy Mansfield.
From Rottentomatoes: "Inspired by a true story, "The Man in the White Van" delves into the eerie underbelly of a seemingly idyllic 1975 Florida town, and follows the harrowing experience of young Annie Williams, a spirited girl whose carefree existence is turned upside down as she becomes stalked by an ominous man in a white van."
The film was directed and co-written by Warren Skeels. The film starts Madison Wolfe, Brec Bassinger, Ali Larter, and Sean Astin. With the help of Ali Larter, Sean Astin, and Giovanni Ribisi (as cinematographer) to independently produce, the movie was picked up by Relativity Media for distribution. It received mixed reviews on release, but is this film truly a hidden gem that everyone must see?