Chilling Transformations: 5 unforgettable serial killer biopics

Chilling Transformations: 5 unforgettable serial killer biopics

Some lives are terrifyingly real, and some performances are unforgettable. This gallery explores five biopics that plunged audiences into the minds of history’s most notorious killers, from haunted loners to charismatic monsters. Through meticulous research and transformative acting, these films and series reveal the darkness behind the headlines - and the artistry that brings these chilling stories to life.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025)

Charlie Hunnam transforms into Ed Gein, the notorious Wisconsin murderer and grave robber whose crimes in the 1950s horrified the nation. Raised in isolation under a domineering mother, Gein’s early trauma fuelled his obsession with death and corpses. Hunnam conveys both the eerie detachment and disturbing pathology of Gein, earning critical attention for his chilling performance in this Netflix true-crime dramatisation.

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)

Evan Peters portrays Jeffrey Dahmer, the Milwaukee Cannibal who murdered 17 young men between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer’s childhood was marked by neglect, isolation, and a fascination with death, which escalated into necrophilia and cannibalism. Peters captures Dahmer’s detached, unnerving demeanour while exploring his vulnerabilities, delivering one of the most haunting portrayals of a modern serial killer.

Dr. Death (2021)

Joshua Jackson plays Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon in Texas whose gross negligence and deliberate malpractice led to multiple patient deaths. Duntsch’s charm and confidence masked a history of incompetence and alarming psychopathy. Jackson’s performance emphasises the horror of someone trusted with lives yet driven by ego and recklessness, making for a compelling and disturbing portrayal.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

Zac Efron delivers a magnetic portrayal of Ted Bundy, who used charm and intellect to evade law enforcement while committing his murders in the 1970s. Efron captures Bundy’s unnerving charisma, making him both terrifying and compelling. The film received mixed reviews for its sympathetic lens, but Efron’s performance was widely praised, earning Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations.

Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood (2019)

Although largely fictionalised, Quentin Tarantino’s film portrays the Manson Family murders of 1969. Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate, capturing the actress’s grace and humanity. The narrative highlights the terror instigated by Charles Manson and his followers, and Robbie’s performance received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.