My Review on the Ted Bundy film, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

[1truekhaleesi]

Zac Efron has come a long way since he broke the status quo in Disney's High School Musical. Now, he is starring in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a biopic that chronicles the crimes of Ted Bundy. With America's growing obsession with true crime, it's likely that you've heard of this horrifyingly real serial killer.

Bundy had a laundry list of crimes. According to Biography.com, the serial killer and serial rapist admitted to 36 murders in the 1970s. But, it's believed that he killed about 100 or more. In 1989, Bundy was executed by electric chair and he has since been the subject of numerous novels and films. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile presents a new angle to Bundy's story. Rather than focusing on Bundy's narrative, the Netflix film is told through the eyes of Liz Kloepfer who dated Ted Bundy for 6 years and almost married him.

The film stars: Zac Efron as Ted Bundy

Lily Collins as Bundys girlfriend Liz Kloepfer

Kaya Scodelario as Bundy's wife, Carole Ann Boone

and John Malkovich as Edward Cowart, the presiding judge at Bundy's trial.

The title of the film is a reference to Cowart's final remarks on Ted Bundy as he sentenced him to death. The film received mixed reviews from critics, although Efron's performance was praised.

I thought Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile was a brilliantly executed film, presenting one of the most intriguing and captivating cinematic representation of this notorious serial killer. Berlinger illustrates how sociopathic charm can cast strong doubt even in the face of mounting circumstantial evidence. But the filmmakers leave out some of the more disturbing aspects that Liz Kendall could've provided.

To be fair, this film received a lot of hate and negativity because people felt Ted Bundy was too romanticized. I disagree with that. Ted Bundy really did wink in court to the camera and there is a scene about this. Women went to the trial just so they could have a chance to look at him. People defended him because they felt he was too handsome to be a killer. I think it's important to show Ted Bundy like this. People are mad that he is attractive but I think it even makes the point stronger. Ted Bundy was a highly charismatic monster and looks dont change that. It is a dark reminder that all monsters are human and they can be very attractive.

This film is also very accurate. The only details that were changed include: there were 3 trials not 2, Liz Kloepfer met her new boyfriend at an AA meeting not work, Ted and Liz never met in prison, but the most shocking change was that Ted did try to kill Liz when they were dating.

People forget that Ted Bundy had a plea bargain for only life in prison with no death penalty. He refused it at the last minute which shocked the judge. This is Zac's serious role for once and shows he is a great actor that has a lot of unused potential. Throughout the film, Zac's performance as Ted Bundy being cool, calm, collected and charming was spectacular. His overall performance was chilling as he provokes you to feel as though he is innocent. This movie is a look at how serial killer movies should be done. They aren't just crazies out on the street, they're your coworkers, your friends, your family. Sit back and contemplate every relationship you've had as you watch a captivating narrative on Ted Bundy's trial and later life.

They didn't go into much depth on the brutality of the murders. I think it was more about the emotional damage put on Liz and her perspective of it all. I like the way this film focuses on the people who were close to him who had to come to terms with who he really was rather than focus too much on the crimes themselves. It makes for a more interesting and original murder film as usually it is done from the killers perspective or more commonly from the detective's perspective.

The acting is very good through out especially the lead and both the 70s look of the film and shooting style made the film an easy watch. Only problem is its essentially a thriller without a twist because we know Ted Bundy was guilty. All the interest comes from the characters around Bundy and how they react to everything. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. I would say it is an 8/10

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

It wasn’t that good. Zac Effron killed it. Unfortunately, can’t say the same for many of the other actors, and that pretty much ruined it for me. Everyone seemed either too stiff or overly dramatic for their roles, especially the judge who looked like he used this specifically to get his career off the ground; he did nothing to mimic the mannerisms of the actual judge. The only other person I thought did a good job was what’s his face from Big Bang theory, which I find ironic cause I think the show sucks asshole. It wasn’t bad for what it was, but there was a lot left to be desired, in my opinion.

I did like how it wasn’t focused on the murders, though.

[1truekhaleesi]

Fair enough. Since the movie focused more on the psychology of him and how the people around him we're affectwd, I wish they went further into how his girlfriend realized he could responsible for such horrific things. She did turn him in, but that was glossed over.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

But it didn’t focus on the psychology of him that much. That’s the problem. It basically just retold the events. Right before I watched it, I watch the Ted Bundy Tapes, which had literally every scene involved Ted not with his girlfriend in the documentary... and more. TBH, I think the coolest thing they could’ve done was do the movie in Locke format (Tom Hardy movie). Either right after 1 of the murders, failed murder attempt in Utah or him right after he got sentence to death or in his last 24 hours in the electric chair. But maybe with a few flashbacks mixed in.

[AdithyaR]

Big Bang Theory what's his face is Jim Parsons and he's an amazing actor and that show was really good
Sorry, just had to point that out.

[AndrewMG]

I didn't mind it but it felt that it was Bundy for beginners, there was no new information, not a particular interesting different angle/update and no insight that wasn't already available in the documentaries/interviews that are already available.

[1truekhaleesi]

True it did glaze over a lot of stuff. iI like that it looked at how he affected the people around him. I feel like there was a missed opportunity with looking at how Liz Kloepfer was affected. Like what compelled her to turn him into the police and what made her think he could’ve done those unspeakable acts. Serial killers are extremely rare and I feel like a lot of people, if they were in the same postion, would’ve assumed he was cheating during all his late nights.

[AndrewMG]

I watched it with a friend and they seemed more annoyed with the guy who ended up with Liz Kloepfer than with Bundy! lol, their take was here was a guy who was completely out of the league with the girl they were chasing but used her lowest point as being a position to take advantage and end up dating her, so I'm guessing everyone watches a film from a different angle lol. My final take would be if it was a fictional film it was entertaining enough but as a non-fiction film I kinda expected a little bit more.

[Lucina_Rose]

I really felt bad for the guy he was completely possessed by hate. Many women are cruel and provacative but these types of men really need help. Instead, countless innocent women are victims of their evil thought patterns. I wish I would've helped him and sometimes, I worry for our society's young boys growing up in such a sexist world.

[DiegoO]

The opposite of love is indifference. He was indifferent to everyone but his self.

[Lucina_Rose]

Well said

[SpiderManFan2002]

I'd love to see this film! It'd be awesome to see Zac Efron playing someone evil, though I can't really imagine him being evil because he seems like such a nice guy! XD

Been supporting him since HSM days xD

[AdithyaR]

Well the movie caught one thing perfectly. Ted's greatest trick was his image, people say him as this simple, good looking boy next door kind of guy, hence nobody believed he was guilty despite the heap load of evidence.
The movie actually made me sympathetic to him and believed he was innocent.
The ending was cool when Liz questions him repeatedly about a murder victims who's head was cut off and he finally goes from distraught and sad to cold and calm, writing the word Hacksaw on the glass. Finally revealing that he really was a monster.

Side note, Jim Parsons was amazing in his role as the lawyer and every time he awkwardly looked at the court room camera, I shouted Sheldon!

[kittycat119]

I liked the movie it was fine. My problem was though it didn't teach me anything new like I had hoped. I'm a geek and study about serial killers (Yeah ik that's creepy and weird). And was hoping to learn something new watching the movie

[JDavid25]

I didn't watch a movie but this is a pretty good review.. I may or may not agree, but I thought this was pretty well written.. I'mma watch it one day though..

[Pulimuli]

haven't watched it yet but i feel zac is a little too good looking to play bundy but thats how it always is in Hollywood movies about real people

[1truekhaleesi]

That's why they wanted Zac. He was the first choice. Back then, Ted Bundy was considered very attractive.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

He was known for being good looking... your point is pretty ironic

[AlexBlack007]

They made a movie on that psycho? I definitely have to watch it!

[menina]

Sounds like an interesting movie, but I'm not going to watch it. I'm too sensitive for that Lol

[Alyssa_K]

I've watched this on Netflix, he executed the role and kudos to Lily Collins who played "Liz" in the movie.

[AwesomeLadaaay]

Great actors but I've already seen everything on Bundy, so nothing new.

[zagor]

Used to go to the park where he picked up a couple of his victims (long afterwards, of course).

I'd have to say he deserved a good shock.

[Anonymous]

would like to see it, glad he burned in State of FL eLECTRIC CHAIR.

[Phanta]

Is there a way I can see this movie on the Internet for *free*?

[1truekhaleesi]

Not that I know of. There's a good documentary series on YouTube though. Here's the documentary they did on Ted Bundy. They also have a lot of others.
https://youtu.be/wbJzFZlUY7I

[Phanta]

Thanks

[brittslitt]

Yeah there is I watched last night

[katita]

That is a nice my take. I think the movie was soft compared to the doc

[juliaanita]

agreed. the documentary made my skin crawl...

[1truekhaleesi]

True. It felt like Ted Bundy for beginners. Zac did a nice job playing a narcissist, showing what narcissists are like, and how they manipulate people.

[SexyAshh]

I thought this was such a boring film, i fast forwarded through most of it🤦‍♀️

[brittslitt]

Girl how? zach efron fine ass

[SexyAshh]

@brittslitt yeah i can agree but honestly was hard to watch him potray a killer when his whole persona he's been doing in movies is douchey frat boy. I couldnt get past it

[brittslitt]

😭 right

[DiegoO]

The Halo Effect has more effect than people could imagine.

[Clarke498]

I rank it 2/5. After seeing the documentary, the movie had sooo much more potential. Fincher should have tackled this story. THAT could be great.

[SerenityKarma]

It was so fucking borrowing i wanted to rip my eyes out lol

[SerenityKarma]

Boring*

[Robertcw]

🤣. Are you that affected by a movie?

[Pink2000]

I’ve watched it 4 times. I enjoyed it.

[GiveMeAllTheCookies]

4 times, so it was that good... Gotta check it out then.

[yourfavperson]

i feel like because they dont want to be seen as glamourizing a serial killer they over did it with the title, and it makes me laugh everytime.

[Pamina]

The title is an actual quote.

[InTimoreDei]

It' comes from a statement made by a court judge:

"The crimes were extremely wicked, shockingly evil, vile, and the product of design to inflict a high degree of pain."

[yourfavperson]

good quote. i mean bad situation but correct

[sasukeuchiha7]

I don't know who Ted Bundy is.

[curiousnorway]

Ted Bundy was a serial killer in the US who talked to many women and later on killed them. He's dead now.

[sasukeuchiha7]

Oh, that's scary

[zagor]

He was a notorious serial killer of the 70's. He sat down in the electric chair in 1989.

[sasukeuchiha7]

Oh I see

[1truekhaleesi]

You should look into him. The psychology behind him is very interesting. There was an overwhelming amount of evidence against him, and still he was able to fool people and convince people that he was innocent. He was even offered a plea deal for life in prison instead of the death penalty but he turned it down because he was that arrogant.

[sasukeuchiha7]

I don't know whether that's crazy or badass or both.

[Miss_Savanna_Dry]

I didn't even know this movie existed till now XD