Monster

R

Released Jan 30, 2004

1h 49m

Biography

Crime

Drama

LGBTQ+

List

82%

Tomatometer

191 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Shortly after moving to Florida, longtime prostitute Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron) meets young and reserved Selby Wall (Christina Ricci) and a romance blossoms. When a john (Lee Tergesen) attempts to brutalize Aileen, she kills him and resolves to give up prostitution. But supporting herself and her new girlfriend through legitimate means proves extremely difficult, and she soon falls back on old ways. More johns die, and Selby can't help but think her new friend is responsible.

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Critics Consensus

Charlize Theron gives a searing, deglamorized performance as real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, an intense, disquieting portrait of a profoundly damaged soul.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Powerful, painful for mature audiences only.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 26, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

With the exception of Charlize Theron's masterful performance as Wuornos, the film is a misguided mess.

Rated: C

May 4, 2005

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Ian Freer

Radio Times

In other hands, this could have become overwrought melodrama, but Jenkins skillfully mines the humanity within the sensationalism to come up with something that is both tender and chilling - and ultimately heartbreaking.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2024

Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

Patty Jenkins’s film may be lurid, but it has a strong air of realism.

Oct 31, 2022

Full Review

Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

Monster is an almost masterpiece film and serial killer biography. It's somber and honest while it does not glamorize Aileen Wuornos and gives her a bit of humanity.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 11, 2020

Full Review

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Graham M

The other actress was better than the main one.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

Full Review

Tanya W

Charlize Theron's performance is stellar. Jaw droppingly good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/03/24

Full Review

Aender S

What a performance by Charlize Theron!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Kevin P

Theron gives a memorable performance worthy of an Oscar. Ricci was good but was held back by the disjointed character development provided to her.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

Full Review

Calvin T

The best performance my an actress I've ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/24

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David H

One of the best movies I've ever seen. Critic rating should be 98%. They're so dumb. Theron's performance as Aileen Wournos must be seen to be believed. She doesn't just act; she actually becomes Wournos in the heartbreaking story of a profoundly damaged soul.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/24

Full Review

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Patty Jenkins

Director

Charlize Theron

Aileen Wuornos

Christina Ricci

Selby Wall

Bruce Dern

Thomas

Scott Wilson

Horton

Pruitt Taylor Vince

Gene

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Synopsis

Shortly after moving to Florida, longtime prostitute Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron) meets young and reserved Selby Wall (Christina Ricci) and a romance blossoms. When a john (Lee Tergesen) attempts to brutalize Aileen, she kills him and resolves to give up prostitution. But supporting herself and her new girlfriend through legitimate means proves extremely difficult, and she soon falls back on old ways. More johns die, and Selby can't help but think her new friend is responsible.

Director: Patty Jenkins
Producer: Mark Damon, Clark Peterson, Charlize Theron, Donald Kushner, Brad Wyman
Screenwriter: Patty Jenkins
Distributor: Newmarket Film Group
Production Co: K/W Productions, MDP Worldwide, Denver and Delilah Productions, DEJ Productions, Zodiac Productions Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.5M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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