Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

Director Joe Berlinger and screenwriter Michael Werwie tell the story of serial killer Ted Bundy with the focus on the presentable façade rather than the heinous actions of their subject. Berlinger has form with true-crime documentaries, including Conversations with a Killer: the Ted Bundy Tapes, a four-part Netflix film. In this rare narrative feature, he blandly chronicles the mounting allegations against the then law student, offences which we see Bundy indignantly deny. Although based on the memoir of Bundy's girlfriend (as played by Lily Collins), the film isn't truly interested in her perspective, leaving her to emote and stay schtum on the sidelines. Largely ignoring Bundy's crimes, and indeed concrete confirmation of his guilt, the film seems fascinated by his courtroom showmanship and ability to ensnare women. Casting Zac Efron in the lead, whose attractiveness isn't exactly played down, is perhaps a bit of a cheat - typical of a film lacking in depth - and, the odd flicker of menace apart, the actor has scant opportunity to explore Bundy's dark side. Neither suspenseful nor insightful, Extremely Wicked... adds little to our understanding of events.