In recent history, true crime has been a booming industry. True crime podcasts are climbing the charts and documentaries seem to come out every year on Netflix or HBO. While it can’t be said what about it specifically is so fascinating, true crime narrative films are not always taken so seriously.
True crime must have a lot going for it to catch an audience. Directing, budget, and actors must be premium to be critically acclaimed. Often some movies slip by or are forgotten entirely. But there is a reason that true crime is so prevalent. Even the forgotten films have something to say about society - moreso than audiences would like to admit.
Zodiac
The Zodiac Killer terrorized the Bay Area in the short time between 1968 and 1969. What makes these murders so fascinating is that there has not been definitive proof of who the true killer is. One of the well-known books on the subject was written by Robert Graysmith and is the protagonist in David Fincher’s 2007 film.
David Fincher brings pristine production value to the film, but Zodiac did not do well at the box office. This ambitious film was quickly forgotten. Zodiac should be reexamined because even though there is no answer to who the Zodiac Killer is, Fincher accomplishes amazing feats in filmmaking and the film will be remembered as one of his best.
Heavenly Creatures
While Heavenly Creatures may not have started the true crime craze, it was a solid addition to the obsession of the genre. The subjects of the film themselves are in the throes of obsession which may have also been a contributing factor. Based on the true story of Juliet Hume and Pauline Parker, Heavenly Creatures catapulted its actresses into stardom.
The film was widely accepted as a critical success at the time of its release in 1994. It cannot be discounted for the effect it had on pop culture. Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynsky became household names, while director Peter Jackson was heralded for his dreamy and fantastical vision. The film foretold bright futures for those involved as well as capitalizing on the true crime genre.
The Iceman
Though a lesser-known name in the culture of crime, The Iceman’s Richard Kuklinski was brutal as he was prolific. Beginning as a burglar and pirate of pornography, Kuklinski’s career in crime turned even darker when he became an assassin for the mafia. Michael Shannon stars in the 2012 film along with a star-studded cast.
Michael Shannon expertly plays the cold hitman. What makes Kuklinski so terrifying is that he is not driven by impulse or depravity. His crimes are calculated. He monetizes this skill because he is good at it. The Iceman takes a look at a truly evil man.
The Black Dahlia
Coming in the heels of the noir film LA Confidential, The Black Dahlia attempts to replicate the success but did not reach as many audiences. Both LA Confidential and The Black Dahlia were adapted from books written by James Ellroy and investigates Los Angeles crimes in the 1940s. This film sensationalizes one of the most famous unsolved murders in modern history, though received poor reception at the box office.
As the Black Dahlia case was never solved, this may contribute to the poor showing. But the film still has seeds of a captivating story. De Palma’s film is not about solving the crime it all. It instead revolves around the detective who cannot let the case go. And as he gets in deeper into the mystery he realizes that the world at large is what is corrupt. The film takes a well-known story and turns it into a morality tale worth watching.
All Good Things
The notoriety surrounding Robert Durst and his crimes came to a head during Andrew Jarecki’s true crime HBO documentary The Jinx. However, this was not Jarecki’s first foray into this subject material. The reason The Jinx came to be be was due to Jarecki’s 2010 film All Good Things.
Starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst, All Good Things depicts fictional character David Marks who bears a striking resemblance to Robert Durst. All Good Things fictionalizes true events like Durst’s missing wife and his subsequent murder of a neighbor in Texas. All Good Things does not use real names but caused a ripple effect that still causes waves today.
Devil’s Knot
In 1993 three boys were falsely accused of murdering three children in West Virginia. The trial was covered obsessively and ensured that Damien Echols would not be released until 2011.
This miscarriage of justice was tragic, and the 2013 film Devil’s Knot brings the issue back into the public conversation. Devil’s Knot does not capitalize on the pain of the West Memphis Three. Instead, it focuses on one of the deceased boys’ mothers, Pam Hobbs. As the case has not brought charges against anyone else, the film brings attention to the pain and endurance of the family that remains.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile
Ted Bundy has monopolized the territory on true crime coverage. He is one of the most well-known serial killers in American history and his crimes are revolting as they are infamous. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, And Vile takes the opportunity to tell the story from a different perspective.
What was not covered in the past was the experience of his girlfriend at the time of the crimes, Liz Kendall. The film was based on the book she had written on the experience. Bundy maintains his innocence with her. It is full of dramatic irony as the audience knows that he is guilty. Liz must confront the person she thought she knew with the truth. The film climaxes with her confronting Bundy which is an extremely cathartic experience for her as well as the audience.
Monster
Aileen Wuornos was the most prolific female serial killer in American history. She killed seven men in twelve months. This was depicted in Patty Jenkins’ 2003 film Monster, starring Charlize Theron. Although the film changed some names to respect the privacy of the people involved, Monster was largely a realistic portrayal of the events.
Monster also benefited from being told from the female perspective. Patty Jenkins wrote and directed the film, which translated well to the story. The women in the film were shown as their true selves. They were not glamorized in the typical Hollywood fashion, and the events were shown with reality and not glossed over.
To Die For
Gus Van Sant’s 1995 film To Die For stars Nicole Kidman as Suzanne Stone, a woman who manipulates a teenage boy into killing her husband. The film was adapted from Joyce Maynard’s book of the same name which was heavily inspired by the Pamela Smart case. Suzanne Stone is an ambitious woman working as a weather girl. She aspires to do something important in media and starts to document the lives of three high school teens.
Van Sant uses 4th wall breaking and interview styles to draw parallels to Suzanne Stone’s desire to be a real reporter. Immediately the film opens with the news that Suzanne allegedly committed a conspiracy to kill her husband. There is no question of her guilt and the film finds enjoyment in following her down the rabbit hole.
The Frozen Ground
The Frozen Ground premiered in 2013, seemingly the height of true crime popularity. But it had more going for it than that. Nicolas Cage stars alongside John Cusack and Vanessa Hudgens. More fascinating is the subject material of the film. Robert Hansen is not as famous as Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer, but still was fodder for the true crime film.
One of the reasons Hansen could get away with his crimes was because he was so remote. His point of origin was Alaska. In the film, Hansen targets those who would not be investigated such as Vanessa Hudgen’s Cindy Paulson. The Frozen Ground respects these women who are often not noticed when they go missing. One of the perspectives is from the victim and follows her experience in the desolate landscape. The Frozen Ground ends with Hansen’s arrest and dedication to all of his victims.