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With the recent release of Dahmer, more and more people are intrigued by movies about serial killers. Although a lot can be said about the glorification of serial killers and such horrific events, we can also use these movies as a learning point in preventing them from reoccurring.
Anyways, let’s get into this list of serial killer movies!
Zodiac
Starting off strong with Zodiac, a movie on the unsolved murders of the elusive Zodiac killer. The serial killer was active around the San Francisco Bay area from the 1960s to 1970s. The killer self-proclaimed he (or she) murdered around 37 victims, but only about 7 were confirmed.
Zodiac follows the open case investigation as everyone scrambles to solve the puzzles, cryptic messages and letters left behind by the killer in order to find out his identity. The movie follows closely the events of the Zodiac book released by Robert Graysmith and is one of the most detailed accounts of the real-life investigation into the killings.
Scream
Looking at something more fictional here with Scream, a franchise that has released five movies with another one to be released in 2023. We are introduced to Ghostface, the person behind the murders as he runs around playing mind tricks on a girl and her group of friends through the use of horror films.
So if you’re looking to get into the Scream franchise, you might want to get comfortable. The entire franchise links up with each other nicely, so you’re sure to find yourself screaming along. Scream has now evolved into a cult classic for horror slasher movie fans and with its upcoming movie, it’s probably on its way to building a new fan base amongst the younger generation.
The Frozen Ground
The Frozen Ground is a movie based on the serial killer Robert Hansen, also known as the Butcher Baker. In his foray, he raped, abducted and murdered 17 women between 1971 to 1983 in Anchorage, Alaska. It is said that women were his chosen victims due to his inferiority complex.
As a sick game, he would let loose his victims in the Alaskan wilderness and proceed to hunt them down like prey with a gun and a knife. In this movie, he is being hunted down by an Alaskan State Trooper trying to end his killing spree with the aid of a woman that escaped his clutches.
If you’re looking for something creepy and sick, this might be the one for you. It just goes to show that no matter where you are located in the world, terrible people exist.
Memories Of Murder
Memories of Murder is loosely based on South Korea’s first confirmed serial killer case where a man raped and murdered several young women from 1986 to 1991 in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. The movie revolves around two detectives trying to solve the case – one from the small town where it occurred and the other from the big city of Seoul.
The investigations were carried out during a time when proper forensic technology and investigative methods were still non-existent. As such, it adds to the suspense and frustration of the situation and to those watching the movie. This investigative thriller is also the second feature film to be directed by none other than the acclaimed Bong Joon-ho.
Psycho
Psycho is the oldest movie on this list but still a memorable one. Released in 1960 and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho’s impact continues to carry on to this day. The movie is inspired by psychopathic serial killer Ed Gein. It’s set entirely in black and white, which adds to the atmosphere of eeriness and overall grants an unsettling vibe.
The movie sees Norman Bates, a mentally repressed man living within the control of his dominating mother, go on a killing spree among the residents of their remote hotel. His name is one of the first that would come to mind when it comes to naming serial killers in movies, which truly comes as no surprise.
If you are to watch any movie on this list, let it be this one.
Monster
The only female serial killer on this list, Monster is about Aileen Wuornos. She was a prostitute that started out killing a man in self-defence but then proceeded to kill off six more men and rob them of their money and cars in the process.
Monster is a biographical drama that’s as close as it gets to the real-life Aileen Wuornos case. In fact, Charlize Theron is barely recognisable as she embodies the character. As such, she even went on to win several awards for her performance.
The Silence Of The Lambs
Not very often do you think of asking a serial killer for help in solving another gruesome killing case, but that’s basically the starting line of The Silence of the Lambs. In this movie, we are faced with two killers – Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill. One eats his victims and relishes in them while the other tortures and skins his victims alive.
Safe to say that if you’re queasy, you might want to skip this one. Buffalo Bill’s character was inspired by Ed Gein, a famous serial killer that enjoyed skinning his victims. The Silence of the Lambs is unsettling and the feeling oozes through the screen.
The Snowtown Murders
Also known simply as Snowtown, this movie is based on the story of serial killings committed in Australia by four people. They murder their victims and stash them in barrels left to rot in an abandoned bank vault located in Snowtown, hence the name.
The movie revolves around a teenager, Jamie, as he gets influenced by John, a man fuelled by hatred for paedophiles and homosexuals. He gets roped into joining a group of hateful men that go around killing people. The total body count amounts to eight in the end. This includes Jamie’s own family members and friends.
Just goes to show that a traumatised kid can be easily susceptible to more negative influences without the proper guidance and care.
Se7en
Back to more fiction here with Se7en. This movie revolves around serial killer killings that relate to the seven deadly sins. We see watch the killings unfold through the eyes of the two detectives in charge of unravelling the case. As serial killer movies go, this one adds some sprinkle of life lessons to its story.
Se7en is also one of those movies that will leave your heart racing and adrenaline pumping as you watch the events unfold. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman play the mentor and mentee roles pretty well too.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, And Vile
Another more recent release in the serial killer genre, we have a movie about Ted Bundy as portrayed by Zac Efron. Bundy himself is very iconic among serial killers, his charming demeanour and ability to bewitch his female victims is truly terrifying. And when it comes to charms and good looks, Efron just ticks all the boxes.
Shot as a semi-drama documentary, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile isn’t a piece that gets you instantaneously. It’s a slow and teasing burn that puts viewers at the edge of their seats with its built-up suspense.
In the end, when all is revealed, viewers will find themselves with their mouth open to how Ted operates and orchestrates his murders. They are truly extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile.
American Psycho
We’ve seen Christian Bale cement his legacy as one of the greatest portrayals of Batman but did you know he once had a stellar performance as a serial killer in American Psycho?
A major part of it is that it emphasises more of the mind of the killer rather than his methods. In American Psycho, the killer, Patrick Bateman’s reasons for his murderous spree are very nonsensical and truly psychotic.
Plus, due to its underlying themes of ego and self-indulgence, the film has developed a very strong cult following. Its display of prestigious-oriented killings is super memorable despite it being an early 2000s film.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
For us at least, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has the most unique way of taking away its victims’ lives. It’s done inside a barber shop and the remains of the victims are processed into meat pies.
Set in the 1800s in London, the complex and enigmatic character of Sweeney Todd began his reign of terror in the ghastly days of Fleet Street, murdering all customers that come his way. It’s revolting and can be uncomfortably tense for many. Despite knowing the customer is going to die, the pressure of not knowing when Todd will strike is very palpable.
Boasting an excellent cast of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and the late Alan Rickman, there is hardly room for the movie to go back. Not to forget that the entire film is directed by the legendary Tim Burton himself, so if you’re looking for a dark and morbid serial killer show – this is the one!
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Could Ed Gein be classed as a serial killer? Grave robber, necrophilliac (forgive spelling) perhaps, but from memory I think he killed possibly two people. I did a similar list on this site a few years back dealing with the real life cases. Snowtown cracked a mention, as did another Ted Bundy movie. What’s odd is that, as I’ve grown older, I think there can be a line drawn between sexual-driven murderers and those who kill for fun – the human hunters. But it’s a strange topic – the Snowtowners, it seemed, enjoyed torture, but were really only after the money. I don’t think Bundy killed any men. Henry Lee Lucas could possibly be a serial killer in the pure sense, but the jury is still out as to how much he lied about his achievements. Enjoyable piece, BTW.