20 Serial Killer Movies You Must See Before You Die

19. Monster (2004)

There's one real reason to see Monster, Patty Jenkins' crime drama/biopic depicting the exploits of infamous degenerate Aileen Wuornos, and that's Charlize Theron's insane and transformative central performance as the serial killer of the film's title. Theron is unrecognisable as Wuornos, a former prostitute who was executed back in 2002 after she murdered six men. Enlisting the use of false teeth (and having gained a bunch of weight) to play the role, Theron is mesmerising and offers up one of cinema's great performances - especially when you consider that the beautiful and graceful Theron is the polar opposite of Aileen Wuornos (no wonder she nabbed an Oscar for her turn). With Theron at the centre, then, Jenkins crafts a grimy portrait of an unsavoury individual that manages to rivet and shock in abundance.