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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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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 thiago s @Thiagostone Nov 7 Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, e a atuação da charlize theron melhorou um pouco o filme. See more Kimberly M. @kmerseal Oct 30 I LOVE IT!! On my rewatch 1000 times list! See more Jolin S Sep 6 Kris Charlize Theron was definitely superb in her role in Monster, but I also believe Christina Ricci played a great role adding an opposite performance giving us a good look at Aileen’s past life and how it drove her to this life as a convicted killer. See more Blake C Jul 20 Charlize plays serial killer Aileen Wuornos exactly the way she should, a Monster. Casting and location was on point with make-up for Charlize being a 10/10, if you didn't know what she looks like outside of this film you would be just as shocked as the murders Aileen committed. I wish there was more added towards the end leading up to her execution but that's just my option. Overall gripping film with details of her life that could be questioned due to her later in life interviews but powerful story telling adding to a gritty story. See more Atrum I Apr 5 An absolute masterpiece that is very traumatic and difficult to watch. It has what I consider to be the best female lead acting I have ever seen on camera in Charlize Theron. She is unreal. 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)
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