The True Story Serial Killer Thriller On Prime Video Is Star’s Oscar Winner
The cups of true crime lovers have runneth over during the last few decades as the genre has seen a large uptick in both film and television productions. While so many have repeatedly told the stories of names like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer, one dramatized title focuses on perhaps the most prolific female serial killer in history – Aileen Wuornos. Now streaming on Prime Video, Monster is a film helmed by the celebrated Patty Jenkins that sees an unrecognizable Charlize Theron in a role that would land her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Monster
It’s been more than 20 years since Patty Jenkins celebrated her feature-length directorial debut with Monster, and what a mark to leave on the filmmaking community. The movie investigated the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Florida woman who would eventually be found guilty for the murders of seven men during her time as a sex worker.
From her early years to the alleged sexual assaults that led to the men’s murders, each piece of the scripted film is gripping with Charlize Theron using her talent to shed light on the killer’s many personalities.
Christina Ricci
While much of Monster solely focuses on Charlize Theron’s depiction of Aileen Wuornos, with little need for side characters, Christina Ricci also plays a pivotal role as Selby Wall.
The pair meet at the beginning of the movie and Selby becomes somewhat of an accomplice to Aileen as well as her girlfriend. Although production took some liberties for storytelling purposes, Selby is largely based on the real Aileen Wuornos’s girlfriend, Tyria Moore.
Big Competition
Playing it risky, Monster set its U.S. theatrical debut for the holiday season of 2003, putting it up against titles like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Cold Mountain. Although its box office numbers weren’t immediately as impressive as its competitors (nothing says Christmas like a movie about a serial killer!), the Charlize Theron-led picture would eventually blow its production budget out of the water.
When all was said and done, Monster grossed an incredible $64.2 million at the global box office against its $1.5 million production budget, marking it a financial success.
Patty Jenkins
This was, of course, terrific for Patty Jenkins who not only directed Monster but also penned it. DC fans will know Jenkins for her work as the helmer behind Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, the only other two titles of which she holds credits as a director. And, the financial gains were just the beginning as Patty Jenkins, Charlize Theron, and the rest of the folks behind Monster would soon learn.
A Critical Darling
Critics couldn’t get enough of the screenplay, direction, and acting that went into bringing Monster to cinemas around the world, with the film receiving rave reviews at every turn. During the award circuit, not only did Charlize Theron nab an Academy Award for Best Actress but she also took home a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the same category.
By this point in her career, Theron had already made a name for herself in movies such as The Devil’s Advocate and The Cider House Rules, but her transformation in Monster seemed to put her talent on an entirely different level.
Stream It Now
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Monster is a classic must-watch for any true-crime fan as not only does it pick apart Aileen Wuornos’ crimes and the trial to come, but it gives more of a backstory to the life that led her to those moments. With Charlize Theron in the driver’s seat, the antisocial behavior and borderline personality disorder that Wuornos dealt with her entire life are set on perfect display. You can watch the movie now as it’s available on Prime Video.
