Based on True Crimes: 5 Best Biopics About Real Criminals

Playing a real criminal or even a serial killer is undoubtedly one of the most difficult tasks for an actor. Few dare to try on the mask of such a cruel and unprincipled person. But if the actor is up to the challenge, the result is a movie that will tickle the nerves of even the most tough viewers.

Monster

One of the highlights of Charlize Theron 's career was her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 movie, for which she eventually won an Academy Award.

Wuornos is known to have killed at least six men between 1989 and 1990. Eileen went through a lengthy trial that resulted in her death sentence.

In preparation for her role Charlize Theron underwent several serious physical transformations – she gained 65 pounds and wore false teeth.

Dahmer

Yes, Jeremy Renner played Jeffrey Dahmer before Evan Peters did. This was long before the release of The Avengers and the beginning of Renner's worldwide popularity. But perhaps it was this vivid and memorable role that helped producers recognize the actor's talent.

In one of the interviews, the actor admitted that working on Dahmer had a significant impact on his psyche and personal life.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

Few people expected to see Zac Efron in such a role – the Hollywood actor, who made his career in teen comedies, never had a particular passion for experimenting in movies.

But strangely enough, Efron managed to perfectly fit into the image of a charming and charismatic maniac who had been killing women for many years.

The story of Ted Bundy is a moral that even the most beautiful wrapping can hide something truly sinister.

Helter Skelter

Thanks to the widespread media coverage of Charles Manson, there is probably no one in the world who is not aware of his crimes. One of the most publicized tragedies involving Manson was the death of Hollywood actress Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski.

In the miniseries, the role of the madman was played by actor Steve Railsback. In order to understand how a person who spends all his time in solitary confinement feels, he locked himself in a closet and refused to talk to anyone.

10 Rillington Place

In the early forties, John Christie killed at least six people, including his own wife. He was not caught until 1953, ten years after the first attack. In the 1971 biopic, Christie was played by Richard Attenborough, who acted brilliantly.

As it turned out, the actor himself literally hated his character, but he took the job anyway, without even reading the script, because wanted to challenge himself.