Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Monster (2003)

10

BonesMay 25, 2011

Charlize Theron delivers with one of the best acting performances of cinema history, and shows she truly deserves an oscar for this one. the script seems nice but sometimes it's quite boring or predictable.

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9

BrianGNov 6, 2005

Charlize Theron plays her part to perfection. Although the storyline is rather morbid, it is gripping, and as one of the critics stated "made me feel a closness to her that may be uncomfortable". I never thought I would end up on the verge Charlize Theron plays her part to perfection. Although the storyline is rather morbid, it is gripping, and as one of the critics stated "made me feel a closness to her that may be uncomfortable". I never thought I would end up on the verge of tears for a movie like this, but Theron proved my wrong.… Expand

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7

JamesF.Jun 4, 2004

Excuse me, uh, Kel R, (4 messages down), it's called homophobia. keisha's performance had more passion.

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10

BrandonB.Jun 13, 2007

A truly moving performance by Charlize Theron. I forgot that I was watching a movie and thought that I was really taking her place in this beautiful picture. I remember reading about Aileen's case on the news and that she was going to A truly moving performance by Charlize Theron. I forgot that I was watching a movie and thought that I was really taking her place in this beautiful picture. I remember reading about Aileen's case on the news and that she was going to be executed. I thought that she deserved it, and that she should rot in hell for the murder of seven men. After watching this movie, I have changed my mind completely. Hence this film provokes thought. 10/10.… Expand

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8

beingryanjudeSep 1, 2014

Charlize Theron gives one of the greatest performances of all-time in her embodiment of a serial killer. Monster will challenge your mind and where you heart stands. It's moving.

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7

SpangleAug 15, 2014

This one is a pretty good biopic that provides a fair picture of a serial killer, who is portrayed brilliantly by Charlize Theron, who goes from being of the most beautiful women in Hollywood in many films to one of the ugliest people I haveThis one is a pretty good biopic that provides a fair picture of a serial killer, who is portrayed brilliantly by Charlize Theron, who goes from being of the most beautiful women in Hollywood in many films to one of the ugliest people I have ever seen in this one in an amazing transformation. Christina Ricci's performance here is also quite strong, though she does get overshadowed by Theron's towering performance. As with many biopics, this one struggles to drum up enough drama to keep you interested, though it managed to always remain something that was intriguing to watch unfold. Ultimately, there is just not much to say about this one. For the most part, it is your usual biopic, except this time it is about a serial killer. The film does many things well, but none of it is great, except for Theron's performance, which really makes the film. There is nothing I can really point to that I did not enjoy here, I just did not love any of it. As a whole, Monster is a pretty good little film that packs a powerful performance from Charlize Theron.… Expand

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8

iCronicJul 12, 2014

great Drama, how you **** up her pretty face, unbelievable

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9

kyle20ellisMar 13, 2022

In other hands, 'Monster' could easily have been overwrought, overly-sadistic, over-sentimental and too heavy on the melodrama, which would have done an interesting and more complex-than-one-would-think serial killer an injustice.

'Monster'In other hands, 'Monster' could easily have been overwrought, overly-sadistic, over-sentimental and too heavy on the melodrama, which would have done an interesting and more complex-than-one-would-think serial killer an injustice.

'Monster' however turned out to be a near-flawless film, that has a real sense of the time, the brutality of the crimes and also the case's complexity. The story of Aileen Wuornos here is told here as more than just a serial killer film, it is instead a powerful film told with harrowing chills and tender humanity with Wuornos herself portrayed as more than just a monster without being glorified or over-humanised.

An earth-shattering, career-best performance from Charlize Theron as Wuornos helps enormously, a performance that goes way beyond changing her appearance completely by gaining weight and using dental prosthetics to the point of being unrecognisable and is one of gentle compassion and frightening coldness. This may sound oxymoronic, but it isn't, it means that what could easily have been a one-dimensional portrait of Wuornos is given surprising complexity by Theron.

She is superbly supported by an understated Christina Ricci, though one wishes that her character had a little more development and was more vividly drawn. The supporting cast all round are strong, if not burning in the memory as much or as long as Theron. 'Monster' is directed beautifully by Patty Jenkins, and the production values are similarly terrific especially in the gritty and classy cinematography that perfectly captures the dark subject matter. The music is used sparely but when used is very evocative of the period.

Further advantages are an intelligent and beautifully-constructed screenplay, that balances Wuornos' character with aplomb and the different mood components with equal adeptness, and a continually gripping story that is frightfully rich in atmosphere and mood.

Overall, truly excellent film especially for Theron, that avoids all the potential pitfalls it could easily have done in other hands. 9/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

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7

amheretojudgeJun 14, 2018

the inner voice of an enraging beauty and the seductive beast..

The Monster Even though there are plenty of biographies that are acclaimed and created with passion and enthusiasm, very few of them depicts the accurate mirror on screen andthe inner voice of an enraging beauty and the seductive beast..

The Monster

Even though there are plenty of biographies that are acclaimed and created with passion and enthusiasm, very few of them depicts the accurate mirror on screen and not spend the time on justifying the events or the characters revolving around it and this is where it stands alone, which is in its smarter approach and newer perspective. The adaptation is witty, to-the-point and effective as it is free from the boundaries that usually restraints the track. Petty Jenkins; the writer-director, executes her anticipated vision which is brighter and sometimes funnier too contradict to its premise. Charlize Theron is the heart of the feature that keeps it pumping faster and harder than ever and is supported decently by Christina Ricci. It is short on technical aspects like sound department and camera work; it could have been shot more wisely and subtly, but is edited perfectly. The only crisis in it is the chemistry among the lead characters; despite of stellar performances, comes off a bit shallow. The Monster is the inner voice of an enraging beauty and the seductive beasts that neither befalls on a definite lap nor keeps the raised questions hanging in the air.… Expand

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7

FilipeNetoNov 15, 2020

Directed by Patty Jenkins, this darkly named film is about the life and criminal course of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who became a serial killer who killed her clients. I do not know the life of the true criminal strictly, so I am not theDirected by Patty Jenkins, this darkly named film is about the life and criminal course of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who became a serial killer who killed her clients. I do not know the life of the true criminal strictly, so I am not the best person to judge whether the film is true to the facts, but I believe that numerous concessions have been made to creative and dramatic freedom. However, it is not a horror movie as it could be, nor is it a simple police thriller. What we have here is a very human film, deeply dramatic, and in a way, I felt, gives a human soul to a criminal who, in a different film, would have been converted into a character without any soul.

In fact, the script was able to use the drama to emphasize all the humanity of the main character. Aileen is shown as a woman who started selling her body when she was young and by pure necessity, but ended up being ostracized by everyone, abandoned by her own family (a totally unstructured family) and had no more opportunities to leave the streets, leaving herself to the whims and brutality of customers, who were mostly rude men. The harshness of life made her what she was, and cruelty led her to lose confidence in men. The crimes she committed were the way of fighting back, and it is not by chance that the only affective connection in which the character really gets involved is with another woman, a young woman that she still feels has the purity that she herself has already lost, and that she admires because of that.

Charlize Theron is one of those actresses that you don't normally think about much when you need someone capable of deeply employing a character and giving her charisma, strength and depth. I, at least, didn't see it that way until I saw this movie. It was a surprise the way Theron grabbed the character and boldly transformed himself into her. The actress achieved what, for me, is her biggest and most complete dramatic work and deserved the Oscar for Best Actress that she won at the 2004 ceremonies. Beside her, the young but talented Christina Ricci gave life to a more restrained role, and that ends up being a little forgotten because of the spectacular work of the protagonist. And if she ends up in the shadows herself, what about the secondary cast? They are totally reduced to figuration. This film was carried on the back by Theron, with merit and praise.

Being a film so focused on the main character and the overwhelming performance of the actress that gave it body, the technical aspects end up a little in the background. However, they deserve a positive note, especially with regard to cinematography, with an elegantly done filming and editing job and realistic crimes without abuse of effects and fake blood. The makeup and costume work is also good, in that it exudes reality and emphasizes the harshness and risk of those who work in street prostitution. With regard to Theron, it is worth highlighting the way in which her facial and physical appearance was altered for the character. Everything else is used with discretion, not to say parsimony, from the effects of light and shadow to the soundtrack.… Expand

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8

gabengoglia28Apr 22, 2018

I have seen many Charlize Theron movies, but this one is my favorite by far. The story of Aileen Wournos has always been intriguing to me, but I did not think anyone would be able to portray Wournos as well as Theron did. Her performance wasI have seen many Charlize Theron movies, but this one is my favorite by far. The story of Aileen Wournos has always been intriguing to me, but I did not think anyone would be able to portray Wournos as well as Theron did. Her performance was moving and made me forget I was watching a movie because I was so drawn in. The plot is accurate and Theron was able to show how truly troubled Wournos was throughout her life.… Expand

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10

FrancisDGJun 1, 2019

A little masterpiece!!! Performed wonderfully by the divine Charlize Theron, I loved her very much!!! She really deserved Academy Award.

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10

EssayFeb 10, 2019

Monster, a criminal drama based on a true story, that of a prostitute, Aileen Wuornos, who committed six murders. She was arrested, tried and sentenced to death in Florida. She was considered the first serial killer in America. Patty Jenkins,Monster, a criminal drama based on a true story, that of a prostitute, Aileen Wuornos, who committed six murders. She was arrested, tried and sentenced to death in Florida. She was considered the first serial killer in America. Patty Jenkins, the director behind the project, came into contact with Aileen Wuornos a few months before her death sentence, as did Charlize Theron for the preparation of this character. The filmmaker has won the trust of the accused and the main actress, her friend, Charlize Theron. The night before her death sentence, Aileen Wuornos has given permission to Patty Jenkins to have access to a single epistolary sum that will allow Charlize Theron to play the character effectively.
This film revolves around two young women, Charlize Theron in the role of Aileen and Christina Ricci in the role of Selby Wall. Both actresses had an outstanding performance in their respective roles. Other actors are: Bruce Dern plays the role of Thomas (the only friend that Aileen has), Pruitt Taylor Vince as Gene, Scott Wilson as Horton Rohrbach, Lee Tergesen as Vincent Corey, Annie Corley as Donna Tentler and Marco St. John in the role of Evan.
Abandoned by her parents from her young age, Aileen was raised, with her brother, by an alcoholic grandfather, became pregnant at 14 years old and had to abandon her baby. The same year, his father, convicted of child sexual abuse, died strangled in prison. Aileen started to prostitute herself very young. One night, after a suicide attempt, she went to a bar where she met Selby, a lesbian, apparently naive. At the end of the night, she will offer her to spend the night at her home and she agrees. Selby was a young adult who lived with her authoritarian parents. The following night, they met at a roller skate place, where Aileen reveal that she was a prostitute, and Selby told her about the accusation from a girl that she tried to kiss. At the end of the night, for the first time, they kissed. Therefore, it was the beginning of a love story between them. Not long after, Selby left the house where she lived to join Aileen, the prostitute who had killed one of her clients by self-defense, and became a serial killer to provide her lover, Selby, what she needed, while she is never satisfied. Through this love story, a series of sad and violent scenes take place. There are many scenes that have marked my attention: When Selby took her girlfriend car to go out to meet other people, at the bar, she was talking like Aileen using the word **** after each sentence. In my opinion, she started being a different person, she was no longer the innocent girl searching for love.
When Aileen was in a car with the man who never had sex, you read on his face the shyness, unlike the married whose daughter was expecting a child, although he begged her to let him live, she had killed him anyway. With Selby, she was tolerant and human whereas with men she had no pity. In conclusion, the tragedies of life often change the fate of some people. A real story, a frightening reality, but nevertheless touching, that will leave no one indifferent.… Expand

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5

Sosmooth1982Aug 1, 2023

The movie was alright. It was more of a sadistic type of love story. What they failed to capture is really how nuts she was. Like do less of a love story and more of her psychoness. The **** was crazy! All the crazy interviews with her andThe movie was alright. It was more of a sadistic type of love story. What they failed to capture is really how nuts she was. Like do less of a love story and more of her psychoness. The **** was crazy! All the crazy interviews with her and all the outbursts she did in court, where's that? This movie almost tried to make you feel sorry for her when they really didn't show just how crazy she really was.… Expand

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8

hamidgoodarziOct 8, 2022

A wonderful biographical drama that does not allow you to blink for 109 minutes. Charlize Theron is wonderful in this movie, she really means acting and kudos to Patty for directing this movie.

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