Just like the horror flicks, serial killer movies have also got a considerable number of audiences. Serial killer movies are not just limited to horror as this concept has been long gone and we can see them now in thrillers and even in comedy flicks. We have made a list of must watch 10 serial killer movies that are must-watch!
Mr. Brooks
Mr. Brooks is directed by Bruce A. Evans and was released in the year 2007. The star cast of the movie includes Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, William Hurt, Dane Cook, and Danielle Panabaker. Mr. Brooks is much different from the usual serial killer movies and tells the story of a serial killer who is being controlled by his own alter ego. The movie has its own moments and Kevin Costner & William Hurt did a commendable job. The climax is just mind-blowing and you will be left speechless.
Monster
Monster is directed by Patty Jenkins and was released in the year 2003. The star cast of the movie includes Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Lee Tergesen, and Scott Wilson. The movie is based on a real life female serial killer named Aileen Wuornos, who was executed in 2002. Charlize Theron portrays the role of Aileen Wuornos in the movie and it helped her to win an Oscar for the Best Actress. She also gained a lot of weight to portray the role and her unbelievable transformation was widely praised and appreciated.
Peeping Tom
Peeping Tom is directed by Michael Powell and was released in the year 1960. The star cast of the movie includes Karlheinz Böhm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, Maxine Audley, and Pamela Green. Since the early 1960s, a change was seen in the horror genre as the people were tired of watching all the supernatural beings. Instead, they began to focus on the sufferings of human beings. Peeping Tom is considered as the first slasher film in the movie history and introduced storytelling through the killer’s viewpoint. The movie was panned by the critics upon its initial release but received a cult status later.
Manhunter
Manhunter is directed by Michael Mann and was released in the year 1986. The star cast of the movie includes William Petersen, Brian Cox, Tom Noonan, Joan Allen, and Dennis Farina. Manhunter is the very first film which introduced the serial killer Hannibal Lector on screen. You guys might be familiar with Anthony Hopkins’s portrayal of Lector, but in this movie, Brian Cox plays the role of Lector. Even though his performance was not that great when compared to that of Hopkins’s, he was still good. Michael Mann cleverly packs the punch without showing too much graphic violence.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is directed by John McNaughton and was released in the year 1990. The star cast of the movie includes Michael Rooker, Tom Towels, Tracy Arnold, Elizabeth Kaden, and Monic Anne O’Malley. The movie is loosely adapted from the real life story of the serial killer, Henry Lee Lucas. Henry lacks conscience and his character is really disturbing. He, along with his befriended fellow prisoner unleashes a reign of brutal murders, including the massacre of a whole family and they videotaped it. The movie is high in graphic content, but the approach is very much realistic.
American Psycho
American Psycho is directed by Mary Harron and was released in the year 2000. The star cast of the movie includes Christian Bale, Jared Leto, Chloë Sevigny, Willem Dafoe, and Reese Witherspoon. The movie is adapted from the 1991 novel of the same name by Bret Easton Elli. When almost all the serial killer movies are really disturbing, the scenario is different here as this movie also offers the fun factor. The director and writer have also cleverly added several other moments which are not present in the novel. Christian Bale was the perfect choice for the role and you would be able to witness another great performance from the actor.
Zodiac
Zodiac is directed by David Fincher and was released in the year 2007. The star cast of the movie includes Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Chloë Sevigny, and John Carroll Lynch. The movie is based on the real-life murders by a serial killer who calls himself the ‘Zodiac’ during the 1960’s and early 1970s in the San Francisco Bay Area. Even though the narration is a bit slow, the overall atmosphere is thrilling and engaging. David Fincher successfully blended engaging storytelling and investigative journalism to deliver a masterpiece.
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is directed by Jonathan Demme and was released in the year 1991. The star cast of the movie includes Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Ted Levine, Scott Glenn, and Brooke Smith. This movie paved the way for the terrific reentry of Hannibal Lector to the cinematic world. Even though Ted Levine was really good as Buffalo Bill (serial killer), Anthony Hopkins’s performance as Hannibal Lector overpowered him. Buffalo Bill’s character was made by combining three real-life serial killers. The movie has won 5 Academy Awards and it’s a must watch.
Psycho
Psycho is directed by Alfred Hitchcock and was released in the year 1960. The star cast of the movie includes Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Pat Hitchcock. The movie is based on Robert Bloch’s 1959 novel of the same name. Hitchcock purposefully used several themes to convey and present what we wanted to show. Frequent use of shadows was seen in order to create a sense of dread to the background. The haunting soundtrack Bernard Herrmann was icing on the cake. This must watch classic later went on inspire many serial killer/slasher flicks like Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Se7en
Se7en is directed by David Fincher and was released in the year 1995. The star cast of the movie includes Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Michael Massee. David Fincher has a special and gifted talent in handling thriller flicks and his brilliance is prevalent throughout the movie. Fincher knows how to perfectly blend color and space, and this film is no exception. The seven mysterious killings by a serial killer based on the seven sins (Holy Bible) thrilled the audience like anything. This is the best must watch movie on the list.
