Watch to Watch This Weekend: Life with a Killer
Don't let his charm fool you
Theodore Robert Bundy has recently been a hot topic of debate starting with the Netflix documentary series “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” the infamous killer has once again caught the public’s attention. Although it has been 30 years since Bundy died his presence is more alive than ever. In the new movie “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” starring Zac Efron as Bundy and Lily Collins as Elizabeth Kloepfer it is told through the point of view of Kloepfer.
Ted Bundy was a notorious serial killer who killed 30 girls in 6 states across the United States and authorities still believe there were more victims. Bundy was a charming charismatic soul who at first glance seemed far from a killer. That charm was what hooked Kloepfer in the first place and in the movie as a student says “Efron not only bears a striking resemblance to Bundy but captures the off-kilter nature of his character” Lily Spengler junior. Efron does a fantastic job portraying the notorious killer really getting into his character. Not only having a familiar presence to the killer but his icy blue eyes make the story even more chilling when he stares right at the camera. Although the movie doesn’t show Bundy’s gruesome murders Efron still manages to make us get goosebumps as we watch his scenes.
Lily Collins portrays Elizabeth Kloepfer one of Bundy’s ex-girlfriends. Through her point of view, Liz recalls events in the past of how she was charmed by Bundy but as well felt an immense amount of guilt and terror due to his accusations. We see a great connection between Collins’ and Efron’s characters making the viewers truly believe that in reality the love Kloepfer and Bundy had was real. Collins helps us understand how Kloepfer felt during this time and the viewers can see the difficult time she was having. In addition, Collins gives us the story behind the girl who was first aware of Bundy’s suspicious actions. “It made me sad watching the guilt Liz carried all those years when in reality because of her many more girls were saved” Taylor Karas junior said.
As mentioned before the movie is centered around Kloepfer so Bundy’s crimes are fast forward and do not go into much detail. Focusing on mainly on two main trials as well as the times he escaped we see Bundy was indeed a witty man. Efron does a fantastic job getting into Bundy’s shoes in his Florida Trial as well as his earlier press interviews. Efron’s acting portrayed Bundy as the charming man many people thought he was. In addition with his sudden burst of violence or quick wit Efron really captured both Bundy’s charming yet killer side to him.
What makes the movie even more chilling is that the writers incorporated real quotes Bundy had said as well as the characters around him. For example the Florida Trial because it was televised much of the script was taken directly from the original trial. The directors did a wonderful job having the actors reenact the original quotes that were said. The lawyers, the judge, Bundy’s mother and wife, Bundy, Liz, as well as many other scenes were chillinlinly created to match the real life version of them. The actors themselves resembled the real life characters, the scenes were as closely matched as they could and the script as well.
Serial Killers have been hot topic in the news lately and especially with the reappearance of Ted Bundy this is not a movie you want to miss. It is the perfect balance of scary that if your not a fan of scary movies yet you still want something that will give you goosebumps this is something to watch. The characters do a wonderful job with the acting as well as recreating this story. Viewers will be left shaken especially knowing all the crimes Bundy had done. This film is highly recommended for anyone who loves a little suspense. Watch “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” now streaming on Netflix.
Click here to get a sneak peek!