News
Serial Killers on the Rise Again in the Entertainment Industry
Real life serial killers being portrayed in the movies as well as America’s obsession with them are not new phenomenons. From Michael Rooker’s break out performance in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer to pre-Hurt Locker Jeremy’s Renner’s portrayal of Dahmer in the self-titled film, stars have been making names for themselves based off of these real life killers for decades. Even horror veteran Kane Hodder has portrayed two real life serial killers; Ed Gein and Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK Strangler.
However a resurgence is on the rise in the serial killer sub-genre, and an unlikely theme is starting to emerge. While purely coincidental, two previous Disney channel stars have taken up the reigns as serial killers Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer. Former High School the Musical star Zac Efron has signed onto Joe Berlinger’s project Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile as sadistic serial killer Ted Bundy. Extremely Wicked will be told from the point of view of Bundy’s longtime girlfriend, and there is no doubt we will see Efron put his baby blues to the test when manipulating her gaze away from his sadistic activities.
Ross Lynch, a former Disney star as well, has recently finished filming a project where he portrayed homosexual cannibal and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Unlike Berlinger’s film, this movie will not be set during the killing years of his life, instead it takes place during his last year of high school, three months before his first murder. The movie is meant to portray the psyche of the high school senior both at home and in school before he took that fatal step over the killing line. The biopic in titled My Friend Dahmer and is based off of the graphic novel under the same title by Derf Backderf, and is directed by Marc Meyers.
However, we must ask ourselves; In an America that glorifies violence, especially by the acts of serial killers, how will the portrayal of two of the most ruthless men to have ever been put through the criminal justice system be received when portrayed by two men who’s fan bases are made up of girls who see them as desirable heart throbs?
American audiences have already seen something similar back in the ‘80s when heart throb Mark Harmon portrayed Ted Bundy in the NBC TV movie The Deliberate Stranger. This was at a time in Harmon’s career where he was seen as a very attractive and desirable man. In fact, the same year the TV movie came out Harmon was announced by People’s magazine as the sexiest man alive. Harmon captured the hearts of many, just as the real Ted did in his days before his capture.
The movie begins with the murder of one of Bundy’s later victims, skipping over six previous females who fell victim to his sadistic urges earlier in his life. The movie then proceeds to follow his trail of victims across the country and into his trial and eventual sentencing. Chillingly Ted Bundy sat on death row while the TV movie aired on NBC, but according to his lawyer Bundy showed no interest in viewing it.
Resulting from the success of the movie and the handsome portrayal by Harmon fresh life was breathed back into the Bundy case and a whole new generation of groupies were created. The movie captured Bundy’s charm. It favored the charismatic and attractive Dr. Jekyll side, while it shied away from the evil and sadistic Mr. Hyde.
True crime author Ann Rule recited her experience knowing the real life serial killer in her book The Stranger Beside Me. In later editions she recalled the many letters she received after the premier of The Deliberate Stranger. Women of all ages claimed Bundy was wrongfully convicted and proclaimed their support. The author took the time to write these ladies and explained they were misplacing their affection for the actor who played Bundy onto the serial killer himself.
This makes me wonder if a new generation of groupies will be born in the wake of the two new movies Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile and My Friend Dahmer. Fortunately these men are no longer threats among us. Dahmer was killed in November 1994 in prison by fellow inmate Christopher Scarver. Scarver claimed God had told him to do it. After several stays of execution Ted Bundy was finally put to death in January 1989 in Florida State Prison by the electric chair.
While both of these criminals in the upcoming movies are now deceased and can no longer corrupt young and impressionable minds through written communication, future movies and media coverage will continue to glorify present and new criminals.
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Movies
First Look: On Set of ‘Welcome to Derry’ & Interview with Andy Muschietti
Rising from the sewers, drag performer and horror movie enthusiast The Real Elvirus took her fans behind the scenes of the MAX series Welcome to Derry in an exclusive hot-set tour. The show is scheduled to release sometime in 2025, but a firm date has not been set.
Filming is taking place in Canada in Port Hope, a stand-in for the fictional New England town of Derry located within the Stephen King universe. The sleepy location has been transformed into a township from the 1960s.
Welcome to Derry is the prequel series to director Andrew Muschietti’s two-part adaptation of King’s It. The series is interesting in that it’s not only about It, but all the people who live in Derry — which includes some iconic characters from the King ouvre.
Elvirus, dressed as Pennywise, tours the hot set, careful not to reveal any spoilers, and speaks with Muschietti himself, who reveals exactly how to pronounce his name: Moose-Key-etti.
The comical drag queen was given an all-access pass to the location and uses that privilege to explore props, facades and interview crew members. It’s also revealed that a second season is already greenlit.
Take a look below and let us know what you think. And are you looking forward to the MAX series Welcome to Derry?
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News
New Trailer For This Year’s Nauseating ‘In a Violent Nature’ Drops
We recently ran a story about how one audience member who watched In a Violent Nature became sick and puked. That tracks, especially if you read the reviews after its premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where one critic from USA Today said it had “The gnarliest kills I’ve ever seen.”
What makes this slasher unique is that it’s mostly viewed from the killer’s perspective which may be a factor in why one audience member tossed their cookies during a recent screening at Chicago Critics Film Fest.
Those of you with strong stomachs can watch the movie upon its limited release in theaters on May 31. Those who want to be closer to their own john can wait until it releases on Shudder sometime after.
For now, take a look at the newest trailer below:
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News
James McAvoy Leads a Stellar Cast in the New Psychological Thriller “Control”
James McAvoy is back in action, this time in the psychological thriller “Control”. Known for his ability to elevate any film, McAvoy’s latest role promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Production is now underway, a joint effort between Studiocanal and The Picture Company, with filming taking place in Berlin at Studio Babelsberg.
“Control” is inspired by a podcast by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie and features McAvoy as Doctor Conway, a man who wakes up one day to the sound of a voice that begins to command him with chilling demands. The voice challenges his grip on reality, pushing him towards extreme actions. Julianne Moore joins McAvoy, playing a key, enigmatic character in Conway’s story.
The ensemble cast also includes talented actors such as Sarah Bolger, Nick Mohammed, Jenna Coleman, Rudi Dharmalingam, Kyle Soller, August Diehl, and Martina Gedeck. They’re directed by Robert Schwentke, known for the action-comedy “Red,” who brings his distinctive style to this thriller.
Besides “Control,” McAvoy fans can catch him in the horror remake “Speak No Evil,” set for a September 13 release. The film, also featuring Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy, follows an American family whose dream holiday turns into a nightmare.
With James McAvoy in a leading role, “Control” is poised to be a standout thriller. Its intriguing premise, coupled with a stellar cast, makes it one to keep on your radar.
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