If you’ve watched the Ted Bundy tapes on Netflix and want more of the story that shocked us all, the movie adaptation is out now. The first reviews of Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile are in and they all seem to agree that Zac Efron steals the show.
If, when we were watching High School Musical ten years ago, you would have told us that Zac Efron would one day give a phenomenal performance as a serial killer, we would have laughed in your face. Now, critics are regarding Efron’s rendition of Ted Bundy to be the “performance of his career.”
Slash Film praised Efron’s acting in the movie, but took issue with the script. They said: “The film should’ve stuck entirely to Elizabeth’s POV – that’s where the heart of Extremely Wicked really lies. It’s strange that [Joe Berlinger, director] and company never seem to realize that. This should’ve ultimately been the story of Elizabeth Kloepfer, and her journey to reclaim her life after being manipulated for so many years. Instead, Ted Bundy steals the show.”
Similarly, The Collider were impressed with Efron’s performance: “He imbues Bundy with an undeniable charm and likability, but never tipping the scales into glorifying the man. What’s brilliant about Efron’s performance is how he subtly lets the audience in on the façade that Bundy is putting up. You can see he’s charming, sure, but you can also tell that hiding right underneath that smirk is a wealth of anxiety and anger.”
Little White Lies said: “Zac Efron gives the performance of his career in a film, which only scratches the surface of its subject.”
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile is out in cinemas now.
