MONSTER

Monster tells the story of Aileen from her meeting with her girlfriend Selby Wall – based on her real-life lover Tyria Moore – to her attempts to ‘go straight’ and give up prostitution, and the savage beating and rape she endures from one of her clients that sees her commit her first murder. From there, Aileen kills six more clients before she is apprehended by law enforcement in a biker bar and tried in court. After a lengthy court case, she is found guilty of her crimes and sentenced to death.
Monster explores Wuornos’ relationship and struggles to fit into society after enduring years of abuse from those she should have been able to trust, as well as the savage crimes she claims were all in self-defense. The juxtaposition of these facets of her life never lets the audience feel comfortable, creating a palpable sense of dread and a ticking time bomb ready to explode. Jenkins’ approach to the case does not justify Wuornos’ crimes, nor does it paint her as a psychotic killer who revels in death. Monster treads the line between horrific and devastating, culminating in its emotional final scenes which see Wuornos walking toward the final days of her life in prison.
(Rebecca Sayce, STARBURST)