THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN is a new serial killer thriller based on true events. Based on murders that happened in Florida in the 1970s. The cast is amazing with Madison Wolfe in the lead. Read our full The Man in the White Van movie review here!
THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN is a new thriller with a serial killer plot. It’s set in Florida in the 1970s and based on the true crimes of a serial killer. He was known for driving a white van, so teenagers were constantly looking for suspicious activity when this type of vehicle was around.
The cast of this new thriller is amazing with Madison Wolfe shining (as always) in the lead. If you’re in the mood for a serial killer thriller that feels a lot like an actual horror movie at times, then this is for you.
Continue reading our The Man in the White Van movie review below. Find it in US theaters from Friday the 13th of December, 2024.
Danger in Florida
It almost feels a little like a joke when something bad happens in Florida because the “Florida man”-beginning of many strange stories has become a laughingstock. However, brutal killers have also been active there. From Ted Bundy (who was caught in Florida) to the killer in this movie.
As already mentioned, this is based on the true story of a serial killer who found victims in a seemingly idyllic 1975 Florida town.
We follow Annie Williams (Madison Wolfe), the middle child in a very stable and happy family. Her carefree existence on the brink of becoming a young adult changes when she’s stalked by an ominous man in a white van.
Of course, her somewhat creative approach to telling stories (she’s known to exaggerate wildly) means her family doesn’t believe her. Even when her younger brother sees the van as well, no one is ready to believe danger could have arrived in their small and safe town.
Finally, on Halloween night, her worst fears become a full-blown nightmare.
Who was the real “The Man in the White Van” serial killer?
As mentioned several times, The Man in the White Van is based on a true story. Or true crime, if you will. We see several murders happen in flashbacks while seeing how Annie is stalked by someone in the white van.
And we never really see who the man in the van is in the movie The Man in the White Van.
However, in real life, we do know who the serial killer was. The serial killer known as “The Man in the White Van” is Billy Mansfield Jr. And yes, he was finally arrested in 1981, which the movie doesn’t mention, but I figured people watching it would want to know.
A movie like Woman of the Hour also used flashbacks and flashforwards but did include information on how that serial killer was finally caught. I’ve come to realize that when a movie is based on a true story, then I would like to know who the killer was and if he was trapped.
That’s why I wanted to tell you that his name is Billy Mansfield Jr. and he was trapped. However, the story is this movie is clearly based on some elements while creative details have also been included.
Perfectly cultivated 1970s vibe
While the story and cast of The Man in the White Van work perfectly, I also have to highlight the entire production. The story is set in the 1970s and this obviously needs to come across clearly. And it does.
This helps you as the viewer to almost feel like it could’ve been made more than four decades ago. Well, except for the quality of both lighting and audio, which has gotten much better since.
The visuals are stunning in that perfect late 1970s vibe. Also, the soundtrack (with one exception) also highlights the music from this era. Plus the clothes all feature iconic 1970s elements. From the cut of the pants to the short shorts or the color palette, it screams 1970s in all the right ways.
Watch The Man in the White Van in theaters now
The Man in the White Van is directed by Warren Skeels in what is his feature film debut. And a very impressive one that I would definitely recommend checking out. The screenplay comes from Warren Skeels and Sharon Y. Copy, and I feel like I can tell that a woman took part in writing it.
Portraying the parents of Madison Wolfe’s lead character Annie are iconic actors Sean Astin (Stranger Things, The Invisible Raptor) and Ali Larter (Final Destination, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, A Creepshow Holiday Special). Both are also onboard as producers of the movie.
While releasing a serial killer thriller on a Friday the 13th always makes sense, it would’ve made even more sense to let it premiere around Halloween. After all, much of the story centers on Halloween night. Still, this just gives you a little more Halloween during the Christmas season.
The Man in the White Van is out in US theaters on December 13, 2024.
Details
Director: Warren Skeels
Writers: Sharon Y. Cobb and Warren Skeels
Cast: Madison Wolfe, Brec Bassinger, Skai Jackson, with Ali Larter, Sean Astin
Plot
In 1975 Florida, a series of violent disappearances go unnoticed, and young Annie (Madison Wolfe) is targeted by an ominous white van that stalks her every move. As the menace escalates, her parents dismiss her fears, and Annie is soon plunged into a terrifying nightmare that shatters her world.
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