Extremely Wicked Follow Up

photo source: watershed.co.uk

     WARNING: Mild Spoilers

Well, it's finally here! I think it's safe to say that most of us in this semester's 403 class were anxiously awaiting the Netflix release of this movie since the controversy it caused after its Sundance premiere, as well as the lengths to which we discussed it in class. Many people inside and outside of our class expressed concerns over how the film portrayed notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, in that it seemed to glamorize him. This is not only a slap in the face to the victims who lived through the brutal actions of Bundy (and those who may be involved in similar situations), but it also seems to condone a dangerous way of thinking. It's important that we don't allow good looks or charm, no matter how prevalent those characteristics may be, overshadow such heinous crimes and lack of morals.
     So how did the film do? Did we walk away feeling mesmerized or disgusted with Zac Efron's performance? I think that's dependent on the viewer. Efron's charm was part of what I liked about the film, and part of what I (and many others) did not. It's important to take note of the fact that, like many serial killers, Bundy's charm and people skills were what made him so manipulative. As we watch, we understand what made Liz Kloepfer, (Bundy's girlfriend, played by Lily Collins) fall in love with him. His way with people, particularly women, is part of what made him so dangerous, and knowing what we know makes the more romantic moments in Efron's performance ultra-eerie.
     That being said, I do feel the film could have done more to showcase the, shall we say, shockingly evil side of Bundy. The dichotomy of Bundy's personality is the reason we're so fascinated with him to this day. He was incredibly charming. He also carried out acts that are so horrifying, they're practically incomprehensible for most of us. And yet while we hear the brutality being discussed in court (I'll spare you the quotes as they are pretty graphic), there was one brief murder scene. For the most part, the killings are implied in Bundy's flirtations with women, which then promptly cut to his trial scenes. Even though I know that Bundy was a manipulative monster, I'll admit, it was hard to watch him fight for his life and fear his inevitable death. Maybe it would be less so if the film had shown his victims doing the same.