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Monster

Play trailer Poster for Monster R 2004 1h 49m Biography Crime Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 189 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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Monster

Monster

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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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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/26/2010
3/5
Powerful, painful for mature audiences only. Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 05/04/2005
C
With the exception of Charlize Theron's masterful performance as Wuornos, the film is a misguided mess. Go to Full Review James Christopher The Times (UK) 04/15/2004
I can forgive the Oscar- winning makeover, but not the script-doctored romance Go to Full Review Rebecca Sayce Starburst 01/23/2025
5/5
Monster treads the line between horrific and devastating... Go to Full Review Ian Freer Radio Times 08/22/2024
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Edward Porter Sunday Times (UK) 10/31/2022
Patty Jenkins’s film may be lurid, but it has a strong air of realism. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Slick R @SlickReviewer 2d Too bad the Gilgo Beach killer didn't pick up a prostitute like Aileen Wuornos, that would have been wild See more Jennianner T @RT14251615 Apr 1 There was a lot of hype over this movie, particularly Charlize Theron's perfornance. However, I have seen documentaries, and interviews with Eileen Wornous. Theron's perfornance was not even close! There were other great performances that year, all better than Theron. This movie is a waste of time! See more Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 1 Based on a true story in 1 hour and 49 minutes. The 2004 Academy Award winner for Best Actress (Charlize Theron). See more Steven F. @SteveGotScored Feb 25 One of the most powerful true crime movies! See more Evelyn X @yiyi1111 Feb 13 It was a truly heartbreaking film, made even more tragic by the knowledge that it's based on a true story. The so-called 'monster' was, in reality, a victim who had been abused and struggling to survive from a very young age. Perhaps the first killing was a choice, but it quickly spiraled into revenge—or maybe she truly believed she was 'cleaning up the streets' by getting rid of bad men. If she had met just anyone who had truly lent a hand, her life might have been completely different. It’s devastating to see how a mere glimpse of kindness made her devote everything to protecting that feeling, even though, to me, that 'kindness' felt manipulative. And is her partner really innocent? She knew how hard money is to earn, yet she spent it freely without caring where it came from. At first, I felt the performance was slightly overacted, almost fake. But then it hit me: maybe that was the point. It portrays a fragile person forcing herself to appear strong and brave—a defense mechanism. See more William R. @MileHighMilk Nov 7 First time seeing this 22 years later, but had to check it out after the recent documentary about her on Netflix. A great movie and powerful acting. See more Read all reviews
Monster

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Cast & Crew

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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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Monster

A scene from the Newmarket release "Monster," starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. A scene from the Newmarket release "Monster," starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. A scene from the Newmarket release "Monster," starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. A scene from the Newmarket release "Monster," starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. A scene from the Newmarket release "Monster," starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. Monster (2003) Monster (2003) Monster (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Zodiac Productions Inc., MDP Worldwide, K/W Productions, DEJ Productions, Denver and Delilah Productions
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)