Overview
A haunting exploration of love and desperation in a world of violence and betrayal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- harrowing
- intimate
- serious film night
- true crime viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Patty Jenkins’s intense, disquieting portrait for Charlize Theron’s searing, deglamorized transformation, while noting controversy over its sympathetic framing of Wuornos.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The narrative follows Aileen Wuornos from prostitution through serial murder, arrest, and conviction.
Charlize Theron uses prosthetic teeth, shaved eyebrows, weight gain, and deliberately unglamorous styling to portray Wuornos.
Aileen’s relationship with Selby begins as companionship and hope while becoming entangled with her violence and criminal survival.
Aileen’s inability to secure legitimate work, abusive encounters with men, and dependence on prostitution precede her murders.
Films like Monster, and why
The People vs. Larry Flynt
shared biographical crime drama, moral ambiguity, and intense central performance
The Accused
shared female-centered true-crime drama, bleak social realism, and stigmatized protagonist
The Silence of the Lambs
shared psychological intensity, criminal subject matter, and transformative lead performance
Precious
shared bleak character study of poverty, violence, and damaged relationships
Movie Details
- Director
- Patty Jenkins
- Release Date
- 2003-12-24
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (2635)
Cast
- Charlize Theron
- Christina Ricci
- Bruce Dern
- Lee Tergesen
- Annie Corley
- Pruitt Taylor Vince
- Marco St. John
- Marc Macaulay
- Scott Wilson
- Rus Blackwell
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Monster about?
- A stark biographical crime drama follows a marginalized Florida prostitute whose fragile romance and desperation spiral into serial murder.
- What is Monster like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Monster as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Monster violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Monster as graphic.
- What did critics think of Monster?
- Critics broadly praised Patty Jenkins’s intense, disquieting portrait for Charlize Theron’s searing, deglamorized transformation, while noting controversy over its sympathetic framing of Wuornos.
- Which films are like Monster?
- Films with a similar feel include The People vs. Larry Flynt, The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs, and Precious.
- How long is Monster?
- Monster runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Monster?
- In United States, Monster is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
