As written and directed by Patty Jenkins, “Monster,” her feature debut, is almost a one-woman show, allowing its star, the usually glamorous Charlize Theron, to undergo a complete physical and psychological transformation as the serial killer Aileen Wuornos.
Detailed Plot
After moving to Florida, Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute, meets Selby Wall (based on Wuornos’ real life lover Tyria Moore) in a bar. Selby likes Aileen’s strength and protectiveness, though claims she is not a lesbian. Even so, the couple go to the house where Selby is staying (temporarily exiled by her parents after being accused by another girl for kissing her).
Aileen is raped and brutalized by a client named Vincent Corey, and she kills him in self-defense. She confesses her action to Selby, and tries to find legitimate work, but, due to lack of qualifications and past, employers reject her, and are occasionally openly hostile to her. Desperate for money, she returns to her career as a prostitute. She continues to commit several acts of murder, each client killed in a more brutal way. She spares one man out of pity, when the man admits he has never had sex with a prostitute, but ultimately kills another man who, instead of exploiting her, offers help.
Aileen uses the money she steals from her victims to indulge herself and Selby. However, as Selby reads in the papers about the string of murders and begins to suspect that her girlfriend may have committed them, the two have a falling out and Selby returns to Ohio. Aileen is eventually arrested at a biker bar and speaks to Selby one last time while in jail. Selby reveals some incriminating information over the telephone. To protect her lover, Aileen admits she committed the murders alone. During Aileen’s trial, Selby testifies against her, and Aileen is sentenced to death.
Cast
Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos.
Christina Ricci as Selby Wall.
Bruce Dern as Thomas.
Lee Tergesen as Vincent Corey
Annie Corley as Donna
Pruitt Taylor Vince as Gene /Stuttering “John”
Marco St. John as Evan /Undercover “John”
Marc Macaulay as Will / Daddy “John”
Scott Wilson as Horton / Last “John”
Kane Hodder as Undercover cop
Brett Rice as Charles