Rent Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

Extremely Average...but Efron shines - Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile review by JB

Zac Efron delivers a performance ten times better than the film itself in this story of real-life serial killer Ted Bundy and his long-term girlfriend (played by Lily Collins), who has no idea of her partner's crimes until he is arrested.

Focusing on the years from Bundy's first killing to his execution on death row, the film is told from the perspective of Bundy's girlfriend. The problem is the film becomes increasingly less interested in the girlfriend and even Bundy, despite them being the main characters, and much more interested in the details of the murders (although there's no onscreen violence, in a well-thought-out decision from director Joe Berlinger). She becomes a non-descript character, despite her significant screen time ... he never becomes more than two-dimensional: we never truly get to the bottom of how Bundy hid everything from her, why she sticks with him even though it becomes increasingly clear he is guilty and he is lying to her too, or why he did what he did. It doesn't really work despite some nice touches on the way (the director, who has a background in documentary, puts in nice period detail and odd unsettling moments throughout).

Zac Efron is the reason to watch the film, though. As well as being alarmingly physically and facially similar to Bundy here (albeit with added Hollywood abs), he's got that heightened charisma of a psychopath nailed down and he becomes increasingly animated and delusional as the film goes on. He captures the cracks in the Bundy persona well, too. You can see why he was attracted to the role - there's a lot to work with here and it's another string to his bow. He's becoming really quite a different actor and he's now a long way from High School Musical.

Disturbing Movie about Ted Bundy, US serial killer of 1970s featured in so many films - Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile review by PV

Ted Bundy's life and crimes have been covered in so many films, maybe 10 or so, the latest being NO MAN OF GOD.

I suppose his good looks and charm make it so - how he attracted so many young women - he admitted to killing 30 but there were probably more.

This film focuses on his relationship with his girlfriends and constant denial, and how he was an arch manipulator liar.

Then it becomes a courtroom drama.

Watch to the end credits to see real-life footage.

4 stars

Zac Efron gives a Daniel Day-Lewis level performance in an otherwise mediocre film - Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile review by TB

I realise the title is a staggering claim. This is the actor who started in High School Musical and then made his name doing mainly schlocky but sometimes funny stoner comedies. But I absolutely stand by it: in this film, Zac Efron gives an incredible, monumental and flawless performance as Ted Bundy.

I have seen many documentaries on serial killers, and obviously one of the people who looms largest is Bundy. His total and utter depravity, along with the despicableness of his crimes, was rivalled only by his absolute cunning & deviousness, including escaping from prison. Ironically, just before I rented this, I watched a Netflix documentary series which used the extensive recordings/media clips made by/featuring Bundy whilst he was on trial. So I had spent a great deal of time watching the real Bundy before I watched the dramatised one. And this is why I compare Efron's performance with Daniel Day-Lewis's level of work.

It is a stunning, transformative performance, literally chameleonic and scary. Every single element, down to the little head movements and pauses. When you compare side by side, you struggle to spot the difference.

Unfortunately, the rest of the film is in many ways a standard biopic. There are some inspired casting choices, John Malkovich being a particularly good one, as the judge presiding over the trial. I also, for a time when there is such a focus of violence & gore, really respect the fact that there is almost no showing of the violence that Bundy committed, just the aftermath.

So whilst this film had the amazing central performance, it is so good the rest of the film just cannot match it.