Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Charming guy gaslights his girlfriend for a decade while *maybe* committing crimes, but mostly just looks good doing it.

🍿 Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting Liz and Early Romance

The film opens in 1969, depicting Ted Bundy’s initial meeting with Liz Kendall. They quickly form a deep connection, and Ted becomes integrated into Liz’s life, even helping to care for her young daughter. This section emphasizes Ted’s charm and apparent normalcy, setting the stage for the audience to understand Liz’s initial perception of him.

The Accusations Begin

The narrative shifts as news reports of disappearances and murders surface. Ted is implicated, leading to his arrest and trial for kidnapping. Throughout this period, Ted maintains his innocence, and Liz struggles to reconcile the man she knows with the accusations against him. This section showcases the beginning of the unraveling of Liz’s trust and the growing suspicion surrounding Ted.

Escapes and Mounting Evidence

The film portrays Ted’s daring escapes from custody and the increasing evidence linking him to multiple murders in different states. Liz’s internal conflict intensifies as she grapples with the possibility that Ted is guilty. This part of the story highlights the psychological toll on Liz and the manipulative nature of Ted as he continues to proclaim his innocence.

The Florida Trial and Carole Ann Boone

The focus shifts to Ted’s trial in Florida, where he is accused of the Chi Omega sorority house murders. Carole Ann Boone, an old friend, enters the picture and staunchly supports Ted, eventually marrying him and becoming pregnant with his child. This section showcases the sensationalism of the trial and the continuing support Ted receives despite the overwhelming evidence against him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ted Bundy (Zac Efron): The charismatic and manipulative serial killer who maintains his innocence throughout his trials.
• Liz Kendall (Lily Collins): Ted Bundy’s long-time girlfriend who struggles to reconcile her love for him with the mounting evidence of his crimes.
• Carole Ann Boone (Kaya Scodelario): Ted’s devoted friend and later wife who staunchly believes in his innocence and supports him throughout his legal battles.
• John O’Connell (Jeffrey Donovan): Ted’s Utah defense attorney who initially believes in his client’s innocence but grows skeptical as the evidence mounts.
• Judge Edward Cowart (John Malkovich): The stern judge who presides over Ted Bundy’s Florida trial, ultimately sentencing him to death.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ted Bundy: “I’m being framed.” – Ted’s constant denial of any involvement in the crimes, a recurring phrase used to manipulate those around him.
• Liz Kendall: “I just don’t understand how you could do these things.” – Liz’s struggle to reconcile the loving man she knew with the monstrous crimes he was accused of.
• Ted Bundy: “I’m just as normal as you are.” – Bundy’s attempt to portray himself as an average person, masking his true nature.
• Judge Edward Cowart: “You’re a bright young man. I would’ve loved to have you practice in front of me, but you went another way, partner.” – The judge’s remark on Bundy’s intelligence and wasted potential, highlighting the tragedy of his path.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9 million
• Domestic Gross: $57,948
• Worldwide Gross: $9,816,572

💥 Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a super dark thriller, but it’s more of a character study, which I actually appreciated. Zac Efron is legitimately scary good, not because he’s playing a monster, but because he’s playing someone who *seems* normal. It messed with my head a little! Lily Collins is fantastic too, you really feel her confusion and pain. It’s not a comfortable watch, but it’s a fascinating one. That last scene between Liz and Ted? Chills!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “True crime enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Fans of Zac Efron and Lily Collins”
  • “Those interested in courtroom dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Disturbing themes related to serial murder”
  • “Some mature content”
  • “Occasional strong language”
  • “Brief depictions of alcohol abuse”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Efron delivers a chilling performance as Bundy, capturing his charisma and manipulative charm, yet the film struggles to balance the perspective of Liz with the need to acknowledge the horror of his crimes, ultimately leaving the audience feeling somewhat detached from the victims and the full impact of Bundy’s actions.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While Efron’s portrayal of Bundy is undeniably captivating, the film’s decision to largely avoid depicting the violence of his crimes makes it difficult to fully grasp the extent of his evil, resulting in a narrative that feels somewhat sanitized and ultimately unsatisfying.
• RogerEbert.com: “The film admirably attempts to explore the psychology of manipulation and denial, but it often falters by focusing too heavily on Bundy’s charm at the expense of giving voice to the victims or delving deeper into the systemic failures that allowed him to evade justice for so long.

Audience Reactions

Zac Efron’s performance was chillingly convincing, making it easy to see how Bundy was able to deceive so many.: Efron’s transformation and the film’s focus on the psychological aspects of Bundy’s deception received praise.

The movie avoids gratuitous violence, focusing on Liz’s perspective, which some found refreshing, others found frustrating.: The focus on Liz’s perspective and the absence of overly graphic violence divided audiences.

Overall Consensus: Efron’s performance is widely praised, but the film’s focus and lack of graphic violence divide viewers; some appreciate the psychological depth, while others feel it sanitizes the horror.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on Liz Kendall’s memoir, ‘The Phantom Prince: My Life With Ted Bundy’.”
• “Director Joe Berlinger also directed the Netflix docuseries ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes’, released the same year.”
• “Zac Efron’s casting was initially met with skepticism, but he received praise for capturing Bundy’s charm and charisma.”
• “The title is derived from a quote by Judge Edward Cowart during Bundy’s sentencing.”

🖥️ How to Watch Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile?

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile is available for streaming on Netflix. You may also find it available to rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, you might like these similar films:

• Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986): A raw and disturbing look at the life of a serial killer, focusing on the banality of evil.
• Zodiac (2007): Focuses on the real-life hunt for a notorious serial killer, emphasizing the psychological impact on those involved.
• Monster (2003): Depicts the life of a female serial killer, exploring her troubled background and motivations.
• The Deliberate Stranger (1986): A TV movie where Mark Harmon portrayed Ted Bundy, giving audiences a glimpse into Bundy’s double life.

🛒 Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Related Products

• The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy, Updated and Expanded: Liz Kendall’s memoir, offering a firsthand account of her relationship with Ted Bundy and her struggle to reconcile her love for him with the horrific crimes he committed. This updated version includes new insights and reflections.
• Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes [Blu-ray]: A comprehensive documentary series featuring archival footage and interviews with Ted Bundy, offering chilling insights into his mind and motivations. Directed by Joe Berlinger, it’s a companion piece to the movie.
• Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman [DVD]: Another film adaptation of the Ted Bundy story, offering a different perspective and potentially more graphic depictions of his crimes. Compare and contrast with ‘Extremely Wicked’.
• True Crime: The Ted Bundy Story – Graphic Novel: A graphic novel exploring the crimes and psychology of Ted Bundy in a visually compelling format, offering an alternative way to engage with the story.

🎧 Soundtrack

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Do You Believe in Magic” – performed by The Lovin’ Spoonful

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lies The Netflix Ted Bundy Movie Told You

Hey, curious about the real story behind the Netflix Ted Bundy movie? This video breaks down the historical discrepancies, giving you a deeper understanding of the true events.

[NEW] Haley Joel Osment – Accidental Sora Voice #2 – Ted Bundy Movie Edition

Prepare for a good chuckle! This behind-the-scenes clip shows Haley Joel Osment accidentally slipping into his iconic Sora voice during the filming of the Ted Bundy movie. It’s a funny and unexpected moment that’ll make you appreciate the film even more.

Zac Efron & Lily Collins talk Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile!

Hear from the stars themselves! Zac Efron and Lily Collins discuss their experiences bringing Ted Bundy and his girlfriend to life in this interview. They share their thoughts on the film and the real-life events that inspired it.

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