Initially released in 2003, Patty Jenkins’ heart-wrenching biopic Monster follows the story of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a sex worker who murdered seven of her male clients between 1989 and 1990 before being executed in 2002. Charlize Theron stars as the killer, a role which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress as well as a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and a BAFTA nomination. More than 20 years after its release, boutique label Second Sight Films has re-released the heart-wrenching drama with a whole host of extras that further highlight the masterful attention to detail that went into Monster’s creation.
Monster tells the story of Aileen from her meeting with her girlfriend Selby Wall – based on her real-life lover Tyria Moore – to her attempts to ‘go straight’ and give up prostitution, and the savage beating and rape she endures from one of her clients that sees her commit her first murder. From there, Aileen kills six more clients before she is apprehended by law enforcement in a biker bar and tried in court. After a lengthy court case, she is found guilty of her crimes and sentenced to death.
Theron’s portrayal of Wuornos highlights her troubled and unpredictable character while never losing sight of the human behind the crimes. Her nuanced performance adds to the tragedy of Monster and the failings Wuornos faced throughout her life from loved ones, police, clients, and the systems that should have been in place to help her. Similarly, Christina Ricci is a force to be reckoned with as Selby, Aileen’s devoted girlfriend who soon realises she is in far too deep in a dangerous situation that threatens the stable, comfortable life she craves.
Monster explores Wuornos’ relationship and struggles to fit into society after enduring years of abuse from those she should have been able to trust, as well as the savage crimes she claims were all in self-defense. The juxtaposition of these facets of her life never lets the audience feel comfortable, creating a palpable sense of dread and a ticking time bomb ready to explode. Jenkins’ approach to the case does not justify Wuornos’ crimes, nor does it paint her as a psychotic killer who revels in death. Monster treads the line between horrific and devastating, culminating in its emotional final scenes which see Wuornos walking toward the final days of her life in prison.
Second Sight’s release includes a stellar array of extras, from an audio commentary with Jenkins, Theron, and producer Clark Peterson, to new interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the making of Monster that showcase the unbelievable amount of research into Wuornos and her life that informed the film. The label has once again produced a must-have for physical media collectors who revel in the art of filmmaking, as well as firm fans of the film or true crime as a whole. It highlights an incredible film that garnered overwhelming critical attention at the time of its release and provides a unique, intimate look at the making of the highly emotionally charged film like never before.
