Zac Efron unleashes Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile trailer

Here’s another American crime story.

The first trailer for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile sees Zac Efron in action as serial killer Ted Bundy, while the film from director Joe Berlinger screens for critics at the Sundance Film Festival.

Based on the footage and the premise, the story seems to be more about the trial and public perception of the convicted murderer as opposed to the actual murders. Though, there are still scenes of Efron throwing in some swings with a crowbar.

Extremely Wicked stars Lily Collins (Les Misérables) as Elizabeth Kloepfer, Ted’s longtime girlfriend who remained in denial of her lover’s crimes before ultimately turning him in. It’s through her this story is told, from a script by Michael Werwie.

Efron’s Ted, continuing a new Hollywood trend of brutally attractive villains, lays on the charm to mask his sinister streak. “I’m more popular than Disney world,” he says in the preview.

Berlinger then turns the camera on the American public who debate Ted in the media. “The media convicted Ted before he’s had his day in court,” Kaya Scodelario (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) says as Carole Ann Boone, Ted’s ex-wife.

John Malkovich portrays Judge Edward Cowart, who presided over Bundy’s trial and sentenced him to death, while Jim Parsons plays lead prosecutor Larry Simpson. Rounding out the main cast are Haley Joel Osment, Westworld‘s Angela Sarafyan, The Americans‘ Dylan Baker, Shut Eye‘s Jeffrey Donovan, Billions‘ Terry Kinney, and Metallica frontman James Hetfield (as Officer Bob Hayward).

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile will have its world premiere at Sundance this Saturday.

Related content:

• Zac Efron is Extremely Wicked as Ted Bundy in first photo
• Zac Efron shares new Ted Bundy film photos with Maze Runner star
• Jim Parsons joins Zac Efron in Extremely Wicked Ted Bundy film