10 Best Serial Killer Movies of Hollywood
Serial killers have always plagued this world, whether in the form of blood-thirsty Kings or average men who just took their anger out on the world. Many of them, fictional or otherwise, have been immortalized in movies. Many Hollywood movies portray these serial killers and their stories to satisfy our morbid fascination with them. Here are ten best movies about serial killers that show almost accurate details of their lives.
1. Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Starring Jodie Foster as the young Detective Clarice Starling who has been tasked with finding a killer and goes to ask for Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s help, played by Anthony Hopkins, because who else would know more about a serial killer than “Hannibal the cannibal” himself?
2. American Psycho (2000)
Based on the novel by the same name, Christian Bale plays the character of Patrick Bateman who is obsessed with success and status. He is also a serial killer that kills and tortures people for fun and no obvious purpose.
3. Se7en (1995)
One of David Fincher’s best films, starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as detectives who are looking for the serial killer, also coined the famous phrase “what’s in the box?”. The killer that they are looking for has been killing people who embody the seven deadly sins “wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, envy, greed and pride”.
4. Zodiac (2007)
Another one from David Fincher, Zodiac tells the story of the infamous Zodiac killer who operated in California during the 60s and 70s. He was famous for sending cryptic messages to the police and the case has remained unsolved. The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo.
5. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic set the bar high for every thriller to come afterwards. Psycho is based on the story of Norman Bates who managed his motel “Bates Motel”, had a difficult relationship with his mother and an interest in taxidermy. He also liked to kill people. The movie featured the iconic scene where the killer slashes the woman in the shower and her scream became infamous.
6. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Set in historic France, the movie follows the story of a young man who is obsessed with creating the perfect scent. Sounds creative and artistic but he actually uses the bodies of young women to do it. The disturbing idea is mixed with beautiful shots of flowers that leave you enchanted yet disturbed at the same time.
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
David Fincher keeps knocking it out of the park with his works. This movie adaptation of the book with the same name follows the story of how a disgraced journalist and tattooed hacker work together to solve a forty-year old case of murder and rape. The movie is bleak due to the dark themes but definitely a cinematic masterpiece.
8. Scream (1996)
This slasher/thriller may have been the reason why many became afraid to receive calls in the middle of the night. The movie follows the story of a masked killer terrorizing young high school students by calling then killing. It features great thriller scenes as well as funny ones which make the ride interesting.
9. My Friend Dahmer (2017)
This movie shows a unique new angle of the story of the infamous Jeffrey Dahmer, who was a serial killer that killed many boys and men during the 70s. The movie is from the perspective of Dahmer’s high school friend and shows how his troubling family life led him to become such a terrifying serial killer.
10. Monster (2003)
Charlize Theron portrays the true story of Aileen Wuornos, a woman with a tortured past who turns to prostitution for money, and who eventually turned her anger into a motive for murder, becoming one of America’s most infamous serial killers.
