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 29 wins & 26 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

The true story of serial killer Aileen Wuornos who was convicted of luring men to their death and eventually executed in 2002. In 1989, she was working as a prostitute and finally makes a friend when she meets and begins a relationship with a young woman, Selby. Determined to straighten out her life, she tries to find legitimate work but with little education and limited social skills, she fails at every turn. She starts working as a hooker hitching rides along the local interstate highway and after robbing a few clients has an encounter with a vicious client whom she kills in self-defense. After that however she just takes to killing clients taking their money and car. Once arrested she claims self-defense but is eventually convicted.

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Plot Keywords:

prostitute | lesbian | female killer | serial killer | hooker | 

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Taglines:

The first female serial killer of America

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Scott Wilson turned down the small role of Horton several times before finally agreeing to play it. He thought to play the part correctly, he would have to go to a place emotionally that he didn't think he was prepared to go as an actor.

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Goofs

Eileen and Selby are in the red car, Eileen smoking a cigarette gets down to the filter, The camera cuts to another shot then back to her and the cigarette has grown.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[narrating]
Aileen: I always wanted to be in the movies.
[pause]
Aileen: When I was little I thought for sure that one day, I could be a big, big star. Or maybe just beautiful... beautiful and rich, like the women on TV. Yeah, I had a lot of dreams. And I guess you can call me a real romantic, because I truly believe that one day, they'll come true. So I dreamed about it for hours. As the years went by, I learnt to stop sharing them with people. They said I was dreaming. But back then, I believed it ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Ben Affleck/Nelly (2004)

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Soundtracks

Don't Stop Believin'
Written by Steve Perry (as S. Perry), Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon (as Neal J. Schon)
Performed by Journey
Courtesy of Sony Music
Under license from Wixen Publishing

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.

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Monster

Filming Locations:

Casselberry, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$86,831, 28 December 2003

Gross USA:

$34,469,210

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$58,469,210

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