Ted Bundy: All the movies about serial killers you can watch on Netflix
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Netflix has revived the true crime genre. There’s something inherently compelling about sitting on our couch, trying to figure out what the next move of the serial killers or criminals is going to be. It’s also intriguing to try & figure out their psychology. What goes on in their minds?
Last year, Netflix released a nonfiction miniseries based on the taped interviews of serial killer Ted Bundy. This was followed by the 2019 film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile that chronicled the crimes of Ted Bundy, played by the magnetic Zac Efron.
It may not be the most nuanced take on his life, but it created a stir on social media over the problematic glamorization of the serial killer in question. It also brought the true crime genre into a bigger spotlight than ever. If you’re intrigued by the genre, here are some other serial killer movies to watch on Netflix.
The Silence of the Lambs
Overlapping with the classic horror genre, The Silence of the Lambs features Anthony Hopkins as a cannibal – undoubtedly the greatest serial killer in cinematic history – Dr. Hannibal Lecter. This 1991 film directed by Jonathan Demme manages to create the terror it promises to.
Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling gives a remarkable performance. So does Anthony Hopkins which explains both of them bagging the Academy awards in their respective categories, in addition to the Best Movie award for The Silence of the Lambs.
Would You Rather?
This 2012 psychological horror-thriller film’s predictable, but that doesn’t take away from its horror. Would You Rather? is a classic rich man’s game on the surface. Several people get trapped in a mansion & the owner then forces them to play a ruthless game with a large sum of money at stake.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Johnny Depp with his wide acting range? That’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for you. The horror in the movie is toned down by the off-color blood & its musical genre, but it still manages to be rich & terrifying.
Kiss The Girls
If you’re charmed by neo-noir psychological thrillers, Kiss The Girls’s for you. The casting is great – Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Cary Elwes, Alex McArthur. The serial killer’s known as the “Casanova” & is being hunted down by a detective & a victim who escaped. It’s as adventurous as a psychological escapade can become.
The Interview
We’re not talking about the Seth Rogen satire here. Go back in time a little, and you’ll find a gem in the 1998 movie The Interview directed by Craig Monahan. It delves deeper into philosophical questions about truth, so it might not be everyone’s cup of tea for a serial killer movie, but it definitely deserves a place on this list.
Se7en
The plot sounds like a Dan Brown novel – a serial killer is shown murdering people according to the seven deadly sins. What’s worse than a serial killer let loose? A serial killer with a method to his crimes. Seven is an apt watch for those interested in a little gore.
Friday the 13th
Triskaidekaphobia, anyone? The fear of number 13 on a Friday is carried across communities, cultures, and countries. The universality of these superstitions would be hilarious if it weren’t so nightmarish.
The 2009 version shows a group of college students headed for a fun weekend. As you may have guessed, it turns out to be anything but fun. Starring Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti, Derek Mears, Danielle Panabaker, Friday the 13th is a treat for anyone interested in watching people getting stabbed & sliced.
