Based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who became a serial killer.Based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who became a serial killer.Based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who became a serial killer.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 31 wins & 26 nominations total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAileen Wuornos, a notoriously uncooperative person, gave writer and director Patty Jenkins access to hundreds of letters she had written and received in order to gain insight into Aileen's life.
- GoofsWhen Lee talks to Selby on the phone, her brown contact lens move, revealing Charlize Theron's green eyes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: The Best Films of 2003 (2004)
- SoundtracksAll She Wants Is
Written by Nick Rhodes (as Nicholas James Bates) and John Taylor (as John Nigel Taylor)
Performed by Duran Duran
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Used by Permission of Colgems-EMI Music Inc./EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
Featured review
Definitely worth seeing
"Monster" is, overall, one of the saddest films ever, and one which doesn't step back at the view of the darkest side of existence: the fact that there are people who will lead their entire life without one single break, without any long-lasting achievements, success, or happiness. The title suits the story very well -there are many possible interpretations, but I personally like to read it as the description of what Aileen Wuornos's life is: a monster. There's nothing remotely nice in this story about her, and when she seems to have accomplished something, there's this feeling of impending doom -we know that it isn't meant to last long. The story is told by Aileen herself, in a very sarcastic and cynical tone, and she proves how adagios like "all you need is love and self-confidence" are just nice words, empty formulas with no real ground.
The film offers a handful of good messages. For example, I find it very interesting that it doesn't chalk all that misery up to life's natural lack of any justice, so that Aileen doesn't appear as just a victim of circumstances, as she says in one moment of the film; instead, the film shows that Aileen often has the option to act one way or the other, and she makes a decision. It could have been different, she could have picked the other option, but she knows what she is doing and she gives many reasons why she's doing so. The film sympathizes with her, but doesn't pity her; it just shows her actions and the motives that she feels are valid. It doesn't justify her. The viewer is left to reach his/her own conclusions. I find this one great achievement of the film, and one that makes a big difference between this film and many dramas that wallow in pity and justification of the character's deeds.
Like many have said, both Charlize Theron's and Christina Ricci's performance are flawless. I feel that Theron really deserved the Oscar. Ricci is great too, and this should be even more of note since she isn't given a lot of space to develop the character of Selby, Aileen's lover.
The film has its flaws, but it still is a rather impressive document, and one that certainly gives some food for thought.
The film offers a handful of good messages. For example, I find it very interesting that it doesn't chalk all that misery up to life's natural lack of any justice, so that Aileen doesn't appear as just a victim of circumstances, as she says in one moment of the film; instead, the film shows that Aileen often has the option to act one way or the other, and she makes a decision. It could have been different, she could have picked the other option, but she knows what she is doing and she gives many reasons why she's doing so. The film sympathizes with her, but doesn't pity her; it just shows her actions and the motives that she feels are valid. It doesn't justify her. The viewer is left to reach his/her own conclusions. I find this one great achievement of the film, and one that makes a big difference between this film and many dramas that wallow in pity and justification of the character's deeds.
Like many have said, both Charlize Theron's and Christina Ricci's performance are flawless. I feel that Theron really deserved the Oscar. Ricci is great too, and this should be even more of note since she isn't given a lot of space to develop the character of Selby, Aileen's lover.
The film has its flaws, but it still is a rather impressive document, and one that certainly gives some food for thought.
helpful•162
- Agnelin
- Jul 19, 2006
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $8,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $34,469,210
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $86,831
- Dec 28, 2003
- Gross worldwide
- $58,469,210
- Runtime1 hour 49 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
![Christina Ricci and Charlize Theron in Monster (2003)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTI4NzI5NzEwNl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNjc1NjQyMQ@@._V1_QL75_UX90_CR0,0,90,133_.jpg)