It was one of the sensations of the past Sundance Film Festival in January this year where the movie had its worldwide premiere. And one of the things more repeated was how solid was the performance of former High School Musical star Zac Efron incarnating serial killer Ted Bundy. Because Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile (2019) is a chronicle of the crimes of Ted Bundy, from the perspective of his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, who refused to believe the truth about him for years.
Directed by Joe Berlinger, an experienced documentary director, and with a screenplay by Michael Werwie, the film is based on the memoir The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy by Bundy‘s former girlfriend. The title of the film is a reference to the remarks Edward Cowart, the presiding judge at Bundy’s trial, said on the murderer while sentencing him to death. He quoted, “the crimes were extremely wicked, shockingly evil, vile, and the product of design to inflict a high degree of pain“.
Together with Zac Efron, the main cast is formed by Lily Collins, Kaya Scodelario, Jeffrey Donovan, Angela Sarafyan, Dylan Baker, Brian Geraghty, Jim Parsons, John Malkovich, and includes the cameo of Metallica guitarist and lead singer James Hetfield. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile (2019) is rated R for disturbing/violent content, some sexuality, nudity and language.
First announced in May 2017, principal photography on the film began in January 2018. Right after its screening at Sundance on January 26, 2019, it was announced that popular streaming service Netflix had bought the international distribution rights for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile (2019) for 9 million dollars, and is scheduled to be released on May 3, 2019. You can watch here the first official trailer shared by Netflix:
