Monster (2003)

Based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who became a serial killer.

Director:

Patty Jenkins

Writer:

Patty Jenkins

Stars:

Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern

Won 1 Oscar. Another 20 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlize Theron	...	Aileen
Christina Ricci	...	Selby
Bruce Dern	...	Thomas
Lee Tergesen	...	Vincent Corey
Annie Corley	...	Donna
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Gene / Stuttering "John"
Marco St. John	...	Evan / Undercover "John"
Marc Macaulay	...	Will / Daddy "John"
Scott Wilson	...	Horton / Last "John"
Rus Blackwell	...	Cop
Tim Ware	...	Chuck
Stephan Jones	...	Lawyer
Brett Rice	...	Charles
Kaitlin Riley	...	Teenage Aileen
Cree Ivey	...	7-Year-Old Aileen

Storyline

A dark tale based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, one of America's first female serial killers. Wuornos had a difficult and cruel childhood plagued by abuse and drug use in Michigan. She became a prostitute by the age of thirteen, the same year she became pregnant. She eventually moved to Florida where she began earning a living as a highway prostitute--servicing the desires of semi-truck drivers. The tale focuses on the nine month period between 1989 and 1990, during which Wuornos had a lesbian relationship with a woman named Selby. And during that very same time, she also began murdering her clientele in order to get money without using sex. This turned the tables on a rather common phenomena of female highway prostitutes being the victims of serial killers--instead Wuornos, herself, carried out the deeds of a cold-blooded killer.

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Plot Keywords:

prostitute | killer | highway | serial killer | beach | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and sexual content, and for pervasive language

Details

Official Sites:

Media 8 Entertainment

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

A rém

Filming Locations:

Casselberry, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$661,783 (Italy) (30 April 2004)

Gross:

£2,435,557 (UK) (11 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Media 8 Entertainment, Newmarket Films, DEJ Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charlize Theron gained 30 pounds for her role in the film.

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Goofs

When Selby and Aileen are sitting against the wall outside the bus station, Selby's boots are brand new, with no dirt on the bottom of them.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Aileen: I always wanted to be in the movies...

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Connections

Referenced in The 85th Oscars (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Space Age Love Song"
(1982)
Written by Frank Maudsley (as Francis Maudsley), Paul Reynolds, Ali Score (as Alistair James Score),
Michael Score
Performed by A Flock of Seagulls
Courtesy of Jive Records
Under License from BMG Film & TV Music Division

User Reviews

For once the Academy got it right!

For once the Oscar went to the most deserving. I was not sure I wanted to see this movie, but after seeing a trailer I became curious and decided to check it out. Charlize Theron completely blew me away! She is barely recognizable and seems to be channeling Wuornos at some points. Patty Jenkins is to be highly complimented on her writing and directing skills also. Rarely have I been so moved by a film but this one simply cuts to the core and leaves you raw. Wuornos was obviously not well, yet Jenkins provides insightful monologues that allowed me to understand and sympathize for Wuornos. It is a sad and moving movie. Never have I felt so disturbed yet riveted by a movie such as this one.