Sometimes the truth is stranger and more frightening than fiction.
Many people find serial killers darkly fascinating. Why do some people cross this line while others don’t? These Serial Killer Movies Based on True Stories, tackle this difficult subject matter.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs are some notable great movies that aren’t on this list. Ed Gein was the inspiration for all these films.
However, the films were far more fiction than fact. While some movies on this list may take artistic liberties, these films are notable for their honoring of history and succeeding as art or entertainment.
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Serial Killer Movies Based on True Stories
My Friend Dahmer (2017)
My Friend Dahmer is perhaps the most unusual film on the list. It is because the film shows a young Jeffrey Dahmer( Ross Lynch), through an empathic lens. He is seen as a human being and not as a monster.
Jeffrey Dahmer is shown as a teenager before he becomes an infamous killer. This is a movie about a serial killer who comes of age, which is risky and innovative. It pays off.
Monster (2003)
Patty Jenkins’ Monster tells the story of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute serial killer (Charlize Theron). Another movie that shows Wuornos as an abused and wounded woman, is an empathy-based film. Monster depicts Aileen as a woman who has been abused by men and those in authority her entire life. Anger and trauma are always bubbling beneath the surface.
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Aileensnaps and starts robbing and murdering her customers. This story focuses on the relationship between Aileen and her lover Selby (Christina Ricci), who may have been Aileen’s, only true love.
No Man Of God (2021).
The Man of God is a film about Ted Bundy (Luke Kirby). This film is unlike many Ted Bundy movies, as it does not exploit Bundy and his victims.
No Man of God focuses on Ted Bundy’s relationships with Bill Hagmaier ( Elijah Wood), an FBI agent assigned to try and understand Bundy. This film is similar to Mindhunter.
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Vile, Extremely Wicked and Shockingly Evil (2019).
Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil, and Vile, is another Ted Bundy movie. However, it is not the same as No Man of God. No Man of God depicted Bundy as someone who tried to learn, feel and be a Christian. He also tried to avoid the electric chair.
Extremely Wicked and Shockingly Evil and Vile is the Bundy. The title is correct. It’s about a man who is incapable of doing any good, even though he loves his girlfriend as much as an evil man can. Zac does an amazing job as Bundy.
Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986)
Henry: Portrait of a serial killer is a film about Henry Lee Lucas and Michael Rooker. It doesn’t hold back. It’s a disturbing, violent movie that shows Lucas as a sick man. The MPAA did not give the film a rating below X. This film does not portray a sympathetic view of serial killers. This film was created to disturb people. Henry takes a hard look at violence, trauma, incest, and poverty.
Some people can’t dream of the American Dream. This movie focuses on one part of society that many would prefer to ignore or pretend doesn’t exist.
Helter Skelter (1976)
Helter Skelter is a TV movie that focuses on Charles Manson and the Manson family. It is based upon the book by Vincent Bugliosi and Curtgentry. Technically, Manson might not have been considered a serial killer since he may not be the one who killed others.
Manson encouraged his followers to use drugs, abuse, and manipulate. This documentary has a straightforward documentary style that shows how terrifying Charles Manson was. Steve Railsback does an excellent job portraying Manson.
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Zodiac (2007)
Zodiac makes a great thriller. Although it’s not as graphic as the movies listed above, or as a thriller directed by David Fincher, Seven, it’s a riveting film about a case that shows the hardships that those involved in its face.
Based on the Zodiac book by Robert Graysmith and follows the investigations of the Zodiac Killer conducted by journalists and police. The Zodiac Killer sent letters and ciphers to taunt journalists and authorities. This case is still unsolved today.
