Incredible acting, intriguing story

Rating: 7/10 (11 February 2019)

Monster, released in 2003, is a film about the tragic life and crimes of serial killer Aileen Wournos. Director Patty Jenkins, along with Charlize Theron (who starred as Wournos) spent a great deal of time corresponding with the subject of their film via letters as well as watching interviews and reviewing court documents to create the most accurate portrayal of Wournos as possible. Theron underwent a dramatic transformation for her role, gaining over 30 pounds and was practically unrecognizable on screen. Wournos was a sex worker who went on to kill seven men after being assaulted by one of her clients or "Johns" as they are called in the film. After surviving a brutal and abusive childhood, she was homeless most of her adult life. While working as a street prostitute when she was in Florida, down to her last five dollars and pondering suicide, she stopped into a bar to have a drink. There, Aileen met Selby Wall (played by Christina Ricci), a woman in her early twenties who had been sent to live with relatives after her parents became aware of her lesbian lifestyle. Selby is immediately attracted to Aileen, and while Aileen has never been in a lesbian relationship, she soon finds herself equally attracted to Selby. After running away from her family, Selby moves into a cheap hotel with Aileen, who pays the bills by working the streets as a prostitute. The relationship becomes a tumultuous one, as the stress of Aileen's work and the couple's poor financial situation beings to boil over. After the initial brutal attack by a john, and his subsequent murder, Wournos spirals into somewhat of a murderous psychosis until she is eventually caught and arrested. Although her first murder can be considered self-defense, Aileen's disgust and hatred of the men who pay her for sex becomes so extreme that she begins killing her customers regardless of their behavior. Meanwhile, Selby slowly becomes aware of the full extent of her partner's mental instability and violent acts. The filming of scenes in the real-life bar where Wournos would often visit adds a gritty realism to the movie. The graphic assault scene that resulted in Wournos's first murder almost makes the viewer feel sorry for her, and rationalize her crimes. Theron does an excellent job in her depiction of Aileen Wournos, and the movie sends you as a viewer through a multitude of emotions. I would highly recommend seeing it.