Emily Rodriguez
Yes, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) is based on a true story. It is a biographical crime film about the life of serial killer Ted Bundy and his relationship with his girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer.
What is the true story behind the movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)?
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) is a biographical crime film based on the life of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, directed by Joe Berlinger. The movie is told from the perspective of Ted Bundy’s long-time girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, who struggled to come to terms with the fact that the man she loved was actually a ruthless murderer.
The true story behind the movie revolves around Ted Bundy, who was active from 1974 to 1978 and is estimated to have killed at least 30 young women across several states in the US. Ted Bundy was a charismatic, educated, and handsome man who used his charm to lure women into secluded areas before attacking and killing them. He was eventually caught and convicted of his crimes in 1980 and sentenced to death in Florida in 1989.
Throughout the movie, the audience sees Elizabeth Kloepfer’s journey as she grapples with the fact that her seemingly normal boyfriend was actually a cold-blooded killer. The movie portrays the psychological manipulation that Bundy used on Kloepfer and how she struggled to come to terms with her own complicity in helping him evade the law.
The film accurately depicts the trial and the end of Bundy’s life, including his eventual execution in 1989. However, the movie also takes some artistic liberties, such as glamorizing Bundy’s charm and charisma, which has been criticized as potentially romanticizing his violent crimes.
Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)?
Yes, there are several books about the true story behind the movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019):
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The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy by Elizabeth Kendall - This book is written by Elizabeth Kendall, Bundy’s former girlfriend and it gives a detailed account of their relationship, as well as Bundy’s crimes.
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The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule - This book is written by Ann Rule, a true crime writer who worked alongside Bundy at a crisis center in the 1970s. This book gives an insight into Bundy’s personality, as well as the investigation and trial that followed his crimes.
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Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer by Hugh Aynesworth - This book contains interviews with Bundy, as well as anecdotes and stories from those who knew him.
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Ted Bundy: The Only Living Witness by Stephen G. Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth - This book is based on interviews with Bundy and provides a detailed account of his crimes and tactics.
All of these books provide a more complete picture of Bundy’s crimes and his life than the movie does.
You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those