Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
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A chilling biographical drama explores the life of serial killer Ted Bundy through the eyes of his former girlfriend.
The story
In 1969 Seattle, law student Ted Bundy meets Liz Kendall, a young secretary and divorced mother. The two begin dating, and Ted helps Liz raise her young daughter, Molly. By 1974, news reports announce the recent murders of multiple young women, including two who disappeared in broad daylight at Lake Sammamish; a man resembling Ted was seen by several people asking women to help him load a kayak onto a Volkswagen Beetle. A composite sketch of the attacker is released and, following hundreds of phone calls, Ted is arrested the following year.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1969 Seattle, law student Ted Bundy begins a relationship with Liz Kendall. While he is later arrested for kidnapping, Liz remains convinced of his innocence. After being moved to various prisons in Utah and Colorado, Bundy escapes and is eventually captured again. He is later tried for the murder of several women, including those at a sorority house. He enters a plea bargain but refuses, leading to a trial where he is sentenced to death. Throughout his legal battles, he maintains a relationship with Liz and later marries Carole Ann Boone. In a final meeting with Liz years later, he finally admits to his crimes. The film concludes with archival footage confirming his execution in 1989 and his confession to over 30 murders.
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 108
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Joe Berlinger
- Writers
- Michael Werwie · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Zac Efron · Ted Bundy; Lily Collins · Liz Kendall; Kaya Scodelario · Carole Ann Boone; John Malkovich · Edward Cowart; Haley Joel Osment · Jerry Thompson; James Hetfield · Bob Hayward; Grace Victoria Cox · Carol DaRonch; Jim Parsons · Larry Simpson
- Genres
- biographical; crime drama
- Themes
- serial killers; capital punishment; truth and denial
- Tone and mood
- dark; somber
- Premise and plot tags
- true crime; biographical; courtroom drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, though Efron and Collins's performances were praised.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 52 · scale: 100 · review count: 31
- Production trivia
- The title is a reference to the presiding judge's remarks.; The film features a song co-written by James Hetfield.; The director and cinematographer make cameo appearances.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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