Content Warning: The following article contains topic discussions of such as murder, extreme violence, and sexual assault.
True crime is a popular genre spread across multiple mediums, including Hollywood adaptations such as 2022’s Netflix series Inventing Anna about the scams of Anna Sorokin. Rachel Williams, one of Sorokin’s victims, publicly condemned the series for glamorizing the perpetrator rather than focusing on the impact of Delvey’s crimes. Some cases are more mainstream in their attention, but others suffer from a lack of coverage.
A fine line is drawn with most biopics between what transpired and what is believed. The duties of those behind these productions are more than just creative inputs. It is about validating truth in its presentation while bringing awareness to the crime. Quite a few directors and writers have gone to great lengths in making their adaptations credible.
Badlands
Rent On Apple TV
Bonnie and Clyde are hands down the most infamous killer couple in history. With that being said, a lesser-known case gives them a run for their money. Terence Malick’s directorial debut Badlands is loosely based on real-life spree killer Charles Starkweather and his teenage girlfriend Caril Anne Fugate.
Though Badlands follows the correct timeline, it went off course with the ending. Carol Anne Fugit’s fictional counterpart Holly (Sissy Spacek) received a fairytale ending while the real-life Fugit was sentenced to life in prison. Perhaps this was done to contrast the film’s grim reality.
Just Mercy
Rent On Amazon Prime
Just Mercy is adapted from attorney Bryan Stevenson’s (Michael B. Jordan) memoir of the same name recounting his defense of Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), a man on Alabama’s death row for a crime he did not commit. Following a lengthy battle and four rejected appeals, McMillian was exonerated in 1993.
The 2019 film sheds light on a rather controversial topic, being that of the death penalty. It is a harrowing tale of injustices within the legal system and those wronged by it. A creative balance is achieved by making minor changes while still maintaining the story’s truth.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
Stream On Netflix
Teen heartthrob Zac Efron goes outside his comedic niche and transforms himself into famed serial killer Ted Bundy. Although criticized for romanticizing Bundy to some degree, Extremely Wicked reiterates the actual events very closely.
The movie follows Ted and girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer’s (Lily Collins) relationship as narrated in her 1981 memoir The Phantom Prince: My Life With Ted Bundy. Ted’s supposed mannerisms and manipulation tactics to lure his victims are captured quite disturbingly. The film shows a lesser-known side of Bundy while providing the silenced voices of his victims with justification following his imprisonment.
I, Tonya
Stream On Hulu
Sports and comedy are not typical elements presented within true crime, but 2017’s I, Tonya weaves them in seamlessly. The film chronicles figure skater Tonya Harding’s rise to fame, which includes suspected planning of the attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan leading up to the 1994 Winter Olympics.
In his quest, director Craig Gillespie glorified Harding, painting her to be a potential victim of circumstance. I, Tonya skates over the real victim, which is indeed Nancy Kerrigan. Similar to real life, the film omits the assault’s effect and how Kerrigan rose from the ashes of such a vicious attack.
Monster
Stream On Netflix
Charlize Theron gained weight and donned false teeth to transform herself into female serial killer Aileen Wuornos for 2003’s Monster. In addition to bringing Wuornos to life on the big screen, she also contributed to the film’s accuracy. Theron produced the film alongside Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins for the latter’s debut.
Jenkins prioritizes Wuornos’ roots in tracking the evolution of what led her to become a serial killer. The crimes cannot be erased, but a possible explanation behind them is presented. Monster is earnest in its attempts to slightly humanize Wuornos while detailing her extreme murders.
Alpha Dog
Rent On Amazon Prime
Director Nick Cassavetes has staunchly defended the accuracy of his 2006 crime drama Alpha Dog. Based on the 1996 kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz by Jesse James Hollywood and his two accomplices, the names change but the story stays the same.
In its depiction, moments of zest are interwoven to give the audience hope that Zach (Anton Yelchin) will safely return home, only to be met with the truth of tragedy. A young boy losing his life to those concerned over their self-interests, a family broken forever. Nonetheless, Markowitz’s parents gave Alpha Dog their seal of approval.
Trial of the Chicago 7
Stream On Netflix
The Chicago Seven was a group of Protestors charged with conspiracy and intentions of rioting at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. An all-star cast breathes life into the film with their solid performances, which is only matched by the attention to detail from the film’s director Aaron Sorkin.
Sorkin’s prior experience adapting true stories to silver screen biopics works in the film’s favor. He applies the facts while incorporating his writing style. His pursuit of accuracy validates the voices of seven individuals punished for attempting to use their voices, highlighting a case that defined a generation.
Casino
Stream On Starz
Considered a spiritual successor to Goodfellas, Casino is one of Martin Scorsese’s most underrated works. Beyond the vibrantly chic costumes and glitzy cinematography of Sin City, the story behind the film is rather gritty.
Scorcese and author Nicholas Pileggi wrote the screenplay based on Pileggi’s non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor. Casino provides a look into organizations that many fear to believe their existence while movie magic simultaneously highlights the supposed rewards and ramifications inside this felonious association. The most accurate of scenes lie within Scorsese’s specialty: brutal violence, fast-talking dialogues, and deadly consequences.
All The President’s Men
Stream On HBOMax
1976’s All The President’s Men holds up today as a blueprint for political genre films. The 1974 book of the same title chronicles authors Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) in their experience as Washington Post investigative journalists covering the Watergate Scandal.
Actor Robert Redford purchased the book’s rights and served as one of the film’s producers, playing an integral part in ensuring truth. The film’s core presents the exposé of one of history’s biggest political scandals. It shows how those in positions of power do not always have the best interest of the people.
Judas and the Black Messiah
Stream On HBOMax
This 2021 biographical crime drama is about the murder of Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) at the hands of FBI informant William O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield). Kaluuya’s portrayal would earn him an Academy Award for Best ing Actor.
A couple of liberties were taken, but Judas and the Black Messiah was a labor of love. Director Shaka King received first-hand details of the timeframe from Hampton’s girlfriend and son to guarantee authenticity. The film is a precursor of the racial-induced crimes still prevalent in today’s society.
