“Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” is one of the most awaited films of this month, but along with the anticipation is also some people’s reservation.
The film centers on Ted Bundy, a serial killer who had mercilessly taken the lives of so many women in the 1970s and was therefore considered as one of the most notorious in the history, in the perspective of his girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer.
Playing the lead role is Zac Efron, who catapulted to stardom because of his “High School Musical” movies, an odd choice perhaps considering his teen heartthrob image.
Casting Choice
The film dropped on May 3 and we can all agree that we were wrong about Zac, he showed his A+ performance. The 31-year-old was quite convincing and if you’ll ever see him again, you might probably distance yourself from him thinking he was the serial killer.
The actor admitted that he had a hard time separating himself from the role, a first for him. During the London red carpet premiere of his movie, the hunk revealed that the portrayal became a task wherein he needed to leave Ted Bundy at work before going home.
Sending a Message Across
When asked if he was able to keep his mental health in check all the while, Zac admitted that it was put to the test, noting that he had to be careful in delineating from the psyche of Ted Bundy. Director Joe Berlinger clarified that his casting choice was to make a point to the actor’s fans that pretty much mirrors the film.
Apparently, the filmmaker wanted to send a message to the “Greatest Showman” actor’s fans and demographic, especially for those who imagine their idol as the perfect, amazing person that can never do anything wrong even though they have yet to know him personally.
Not to say that Zac is a mean psychopath as the character he is portraying but Ted had the same hold over his victims, who were unsuspicious until the man murders them. The infamous man was able to twist the media’s perceptions and manipulate the justice system. It may sound impossible but really, he was able to make people see him as this charming killer.
Not Glorifying the Serial Killer
Zac, however, divulged that he was not supposed to grab the opportunity because he was not one to glorify such a heinous person as Ted. Even before the film dropped, a lot of critics already slammed both the lead star and the director for allegedly glamorizing the man, who was executed in 1989.
Joe has come in defense of “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” saying that they were actually doing the opposite in the characterization of the guy because in the end, he gets what he rightfully deserves but at the same time, the movie also depicts the experience of falling as a victim into his hands.
Ted admitted to killing 30 people before he was sentenced to death by electric chair. However, his girlfriend Elizabeth, played by Lily Collins in the film, had a hard time believing the unfathomable acts.