Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile

“People don't realize that there are killers among them. People they liked, loved, lived with, work with and admired could the next day turn out to be the most demonic people imaginable.”

Filmology Rating: 2.5 out of 4

From Netflix, comes a movie about serial killer, Ted Bundy. In this film, they focus on making Ted likeable, relatable, and never show a serial murderer doing anything bad.
What is most frustrating about this film is the script. Nothing is really wrong with it, except they focused on the wrong person. However I will start with positives of the film.

Zac Efron really did elevate this film. His performance is absolutely terrific. There are very subtle details he put into the character. For example, when Ted is obviously telling a lie, Zac moves his eyes in peculiar directions. It looked like I was watching a manipulative, serial murderer. Which is what Ted Bundy is. I loved Zac Efron's portrayal of Ted Bundy. Which is why the rest of the film was so disappointing. The main issue with a film like this is that it relies on you knowing who Ted Bundy was before watching the film. Never, in the entire film, are we given a reason to not like the character of Ted Bundy. Now, I understand that that's the point of the movie: You would never suspect a handsome, smart man to be a murderer. I get that. I understand the point of the film. But there is a moment where Ted is in jail and the shark picture is torn up. At that moment, you're supposed to feel bad for Ted. And I think that is a very dangerous situation for a film to be in; making the audience sympathize with a serial murderer.

For example, the film 'Zodiac', a brilliant film, shows the Zodiac Killer murdering someone in the opening scene. This gives instant disgust towards Zodiac, even though you don't see the murderer. You are now invested in the plot against Zodiac. In 'Extremely Wicked...' we are never shown murder. It's almost like the writer was making it a mystery about "who murdered these people." Spoilers, Ted obviously did it. There is no mystery in this film.

Personally, I think the story should have been told through Elizabeth Kloepfer's point-of-view. That would have been great pathos seeing her deal with her fiance being a murderer. But she is just a supporting character.

The film 'Silence of Lambs' wasn't centered around a serial killer. It was about Jodie Foster. In 'American Psycho', you see Christian Bale live the double life. He goes to work as a normal person and we also see him murder people. We understand his split personality. The poster of 'Extremely Wicked...' does imply the dual personality but only shows the good side of Ted Bundy. Not the other side.

It is a dangerous time to live in where a serial murderer is made the protagonist and antagonist of their own film. However, that is not to say that the film is promoting serial murder. You can do something similar to 'American Psycho.'

It would have challenged me as a viewer more had the film chosen to show Ted's murderous side and his everyday normal life side. That would have made me feel unsure about the character of Ted, as most people were back then. That would have also made him appear more sinister rather than just an overall nice guy. However, they may not have shown any murder due to respect of the victims. I am not sure.
The rest of the film is very awkward. Haley Joel Osment had the dust brushed off of him to appear in this which had little purpose. Jim Parsons also showed up who was horribly distracting because I could not stop thinking of Sheldon Cooper. I was waiting for the "Bazinga!" And, of course, John Malkovich is in another Netflix film and he's playing the Judge in Ted Bundy's court case.

This film could have been something good had the character of Ted Bundy not been the focus. Also a lack of motivation to also dislike Ted Bundy deflates the film, regardless of its message. However, Zac Efron is terrific in the role.

Rating: Rent It

-Nolan