Monster

2003 "Based on a true story"
7.3| 1h50m| R| en| More Info
Released: 24 December 2003 Released
Producted By: Newmarket Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

An emotionally scarred highway drifter shoots a sadistic trick who rapes her, and ultimately becomes America's first female serial killer.

Genre

Drama, Crime

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Monster (2003) is now streaming with subscription on Prime Video

Director

Patty Jenkins

Production Companies

Newmarket Films

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Monster Audience Reviews

GamerTab That was an excellent one.
BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment
Actuakers One of my all time favorites.
Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
WubsTheFadger Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadger Glamour girl Charlize Theron's breathtaking, heartbreaking transformation into the completely opposite image of Wuornos makes this film an astonishing achievement. The movie does not explain or dive into the mind of Wuornos which is a missed opportunity. The story also focuses to much on the lesbian love story side than on the killings.What makes the movie a little bit better is Theron's performance, open, vulnerable, tragic, moving, and most of all, honest. Aileen's behavior is contradictory, volatile, and disturbed. She loses control and lashes out irrationally. Theron's portrait of Aileen is sympathetic without pretending that she is more of a victim than the men she killed. The pacing is very slow and the runtime is overlong.SPOILER ON NEXT LINEI really wished we could have heard the testimonial given by Selby. Also I wish we could have seen the execution and Wuornos' last words.SPOILER OVERPro: Interesting story, Theron's performance, and some good killingsCons: Missed opportunities when it comes to the story (see spoiler line), slow pacing, an overlong runtime, and not enough depth into the mind of WuornosOverall Rating: 6.2
Screen_Blitz Most serial killers we know in the celluloid are associated with the slasher-horror genre, with such figures as Michael Myers, Jason Voorhes , and Freddy Krueger. What does these serial killers have in common? They are all based on fiction. Director Patty Jenkins offers a deeply upsetting account of a serial killer who is not work of fiction but was in fact a real-life figure who was enough to sit in the category with such grisly figures as Ted Bundy and Charles Manson. This woman's name was Aileen Wuornos, and she was not a very friendly human being. Capitalizing on the tragic accounts of its central figure who is now deceased after sentenced to death by lethal injection, this film offers a grim, yet realistic portrayal on the dark side of human kind, a path that lead to the death of both innocent and non-innocent individuals. The title could not be justifiable, and Jenkins makes the daunting, yet triumphant choice of casting Charlize Theron in the subject role in effort to support that claim. Set in 1989, this film chronicles the life of Aileen Wuornos (played by Charlize Theron), an unlaundered woman growing up in Daytona Beach as a prostitute while developing a lesbian relationship with Selby (played by Christina Ricci) who grows up in a religious family. Selby's family immediately disapproves of her and unaware of her desire to turn her life around. That proves to be easier said than done when she struggles to land a job due to her criminal record and lack of social kills. On the night of what is supposed to be her last customer of dirty business turns into a bloodbath when she brutally murders her client who tries to rape her. This night soon marks the beginning of her homicidal life. Patty Jenkins does not aim for a horror movie approach nor does she stray into the degree of exploitation when drawing the grim portrait of Wuornos. Nonetheless, the film certainly has a feel of a horror film not only because of the brutality of her behavior but also due to the fact that it is inspired by true events. Although Jenkins takes just a few liberties from the documented tale, she does not fail paint a picture on the abhorrent nature of the film's tragic figure. Charlize Theron is the apex of the film. While Theron has never been resorted to particular typecasting, this film marks her first time in a role residing the wrong side of the moral compass. Shaving her eyebrows and gaining thirty pounds to maintain Aileen Wuarnos's distasteful appearance, Theron disappears into the role boasting an incredible amount of ferocity and grit that greatly sticks out in each scene when she has a startling encounter with her "sex customers". The story goes out of its way to portray not necessarily as a nihilistic figure, but a woman who believes killing is part of human nature, as he addresses in one scene. "People kill because of politics, because of religion" she cries during this scene which is an accurate account of what goes on our society as well as around the world. Her relationship with Christina Ricci is suitably mapped out. That is not to say that the two actresses share a fashionable chemistry. But each the two are on screen, there performances shine diligently, and their heart-thumping relationship propels to a bittersweet conclusion when Aileen comes to realize the filthy nature of her image. Monster is deeply disturbing and frequently uncomfortable to sit through, yet marks for a gripping biopic of its central figure thanks to the poignant performances by Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci and intelligent direction by Patty Jenkins. As painful as it is, the movie speaks a truth of human nature and Jenkins never tarnishes his feat in favor of exploitation. For those mature enough to dive into this tragic story, the film is a fascinating tale.
MrJoe1987 I just finished watching this film and, I must say, I am in a mixed state of both disgust and awe.First off, let's get down to the brass tacks on something: Aileen Carol Wuornos was a vicious, psychopathic misanthrope who murdered without remorse or regret to satisfy her lust for the blood of her fellow man and her intemperate greed. She was pure evil; plain and simple. That being said, this film is the worst kind of tripe; a story full of deliberate misandric falsification to lend sympathy to a barbaric serial murderer, with the star (Theron) admitting to the lack of factual representation.Not only am I insulted by the creators of this filth having wasted my time, but I am also disgusted with the lack of regard to the real victims' loved ones, and in awe of how degraded society has become; that there are people who would actually go as far as to make a movie like this.If you have not yet seen this movie, I suggest you pass it up.
Python Hyena Monster (2003): Dir: Patty Jenkins / Cast: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Annie Corley, Pruitt Taylor Vince: Shocking true story about society's damage. Charlize Theron plays Aileen Wuornos who was sentenced to death in 2002 for the murder of seven males. Her background indicates that her damaged self esteem turned her to prostitution until she met a lesbian played by Christina Ricci. Theron shoots her first taker with his own gun after being raped. Compelling but often repetitious with an ending that should render thought. Insightful directing by Patty Jenkins who drives the social commentary home. Theron delivers a knockout performance as a woman driven to madness. She encounters a variety of males including a cop, but her story isn't a happy one. Ricci is superb as the wandering lesbian who is staying with relatives. Her parents resent her choice of sexuality, and her hookup with Aileen can only lead to trouble. Supporting roles are unfortunately not as broad. Bruce Dern appears but more of him would have been better. Also appearing is Annie Corley. Great makeup job on Theron to complete the transformation. Pruitt Taylor Vince plays a nervous and shy stuttering dote whom Theron gives a hand job to. Depressing film that will not appeal to everyone but it does present stern lessons about that monster called society. Score: 7 / 10