Serial Killer Movies - Films Based on Real-Life Serial Killers

Films based on real-life serial killers push the boundaries of good taste and are usually met with scorn. No matter how good they are, a straightforward biography of a serial killer is usually comes across as a callous attempt to profit by telling the story of the lowest form of human life. On the other hand, these movies can be used to educate people about the human atrocities committed and what motivates someone to commit these crimes. There's a fascination about their mental state because the thought of actually taking someone's life never crosses the mind of most people.

To be clear, not all movies are straight biopics of these monsters. Some writers play loose with the facts and create a fictional story based on real life events. People find out that the movie was based on a real life person or event through interviews with the cast and crew, trailers, reviews etc. Here's a list of the better serial killer movies that are loosely based on true life events.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

This independent film combines drama and horror based on the lives of Henry Lee Lucas and Otis Toole. Effectively creepy and disturbing the movie teeters the line of good taste. The excellent performance of Michael Rooker as Henry helps propel the film.

The Silence of the Lambs

Very loosely based on the life of Ed Gein, Silence of the Lambs is one of the few serial killer movies that has received critical acclaim. This is largely because of the performances of Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. The character Gein was loosely based on was Buffalo Bill. Gein was not incredibly dangerous and it's hard to consider him a serial killer. What they do have in common is they liked to wear the skin of women. But where Buffalo Bill murdered to collect the skin, Gein acquired the skin by grave robbing.

The Manson Family

The Manson Family is an independent based on the life of, you guessed it, Charles Manson and the members of his "family." It took over 15 years for this film to be completed. The Manson Family has been criticized for being too violent and containing too much graphic sex but director Jim Van Bebber wanted to tell the story the way it was meant to be told. What makes this worthy of inclusion on the best movies based on serial killers list is the fact that it does not in any way, shape or form glorify Manson like too many other movies have.

Citizen X

This is a movie I never thought I would ever see made. Based on the life of the pedophile and serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, who is responsible for the murder of 53 women and children starting in 1978. Considering the difficult subject matter Citizen X is an excellent drama based on real life events.

Killer: A Journal of Murder

James Woods gives a top notch performance as Carl Panzram, who was convicted of killing 22 people. Panzram was arguably one of the most notorious and nihilistic killers of all time. In his confession he recalled killing a 12-year-old boy and not being sorry for it.

In the next article I will talk about films based on the Jack the Ripper crimes.