“The Man in the White Van” arises from the deep depths of true crime, primarily based on the real-life tragedies of Billy Mansfield Jr. The film follows Annie (Madison Wolfe), a 15-year-old tomboy whose fears about a lurking white van are dismissed by her family in 1970s Florida when the American Dream still murmured promises of safety. This dismissal reflects a greater societal inclination to discredit young women’s fears, as if teen paranoia were widely acceptable.

As the narrative progresses, The white van becomes a modern-day boogeyman, symbolizing the threat to youthful innocence. It reveals an unsettling truth: danger is often hidden in plain sight. The film’s tempo, as it meanders through teenage trivialities, parallels the slow development of real-life dangers when disbelief and denial set in.

Finally, “The Man in the White Van” addresses societal concerns about child safety, emphasizing the repercussions of ignoring warning signs. It reminds us that often,...