Monster (2003)

Last updated:
November 27, 2025

Monster (2003) is an intense biographical crime drama directed by Patty Jenkins and featuring Charlize Theron’s haunting transformation into real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. With its unflinching realism and complex portrayal of trauma, the film has earned a lasting place in modern cinema.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Aileen’s Desperation and First Killing

The film begins by showcasing Aileen Wuornos, a homeless sex worker in Florida who is emotionally broken but still clinging to hope. She meets Selby Wall (Christina Ricci), a lonely young woman who instantly becomes fascinated by Aileen’s tough personality.

After Aileen is brutally assaulted by a client, she retaliates and kills him in self-defense. This moment becomes a turning point, transforming her from a woman trying to survive into someone who believes she must kill to protect herself. The movie portrays this shift as both tragic and terrifying.

Love and a Deadly Spiral

Aileen and Selby begin an unstable romantic relationship. Aileen wants to give Selby a better life, but without steady income, she returns to sex work. Believing every client might harm her, she begins killing them. The film carefully shows how she justifies her crimes, blending her trauma with her rage.

Despite Aileen’s violence, Selby depends on her financially and emotionally. The two share a twisted but deeply human connection, filled with naive dreams that they can escape their lives.

Closing In: Witnesses, Evidence, and Betrayal

Police begin connecting the crimes and questioning Selby. Terrified, authorities pressure her into cooperation. She realizes that Aileen might actually be guilty, but clings to denial until she is forced to testify. While Aileen believes she is protecting Selby, Selby slowly pulls away, trapped between survival and guilt.

Movie Ending

In the devastating final act, Aileen is arrested after Selby—now being recorded by the police—tricks her into confessing over a phone call. Aileen refuses to expose Selby as an accomplice, claiming she acted alone, and reassures Selby that everything will be okay.

During her trial, Aileen is sentenced to death. The film ends with her accepting her fate with a chilling calmness. She gives a speech that attempts to justify her crimes as acts of survival. It’s both tragic and unsettling, because the movie portrays her not simply as a monster, but as someone shaped by relentless violence and abandonment. In a closing note, the film reveals that Aileen was executed in 2002.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There are no post-credits scenes in Monster. The film concludes with a brief factual epilogue before the credits.

Type of Movie

Monster is a biographical crime drama that blends psychological realism with social commentary. It focuses less on sensational violence and more on the emotional and societal forces behind a notorious killer.

Cast

Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos
Christina Ricci as Selby Wall (based on Tyria Moore)
Bruce Dern as Thomas
Scott Wilson as Horton
Pruitt Taylor Vince as Gene

Film Music and Composer

The score for Monster was composed by BT (Brian Transeau), known for blending orchestral sounds with electronic elements. The music enhances the film’s grim tone, especially during Aileen’s moments of inner turmoil.

Filming Locations

Monster was primarily shot in Florida, where the real crimes occurred. Shooting on actual locations added a stark realism to the film, grounding its events in tangible, familiar suburban settings instead of stylized Hollywood versions.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Award for Best Actress (Charlize Theron) – Won
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Won
Numerous nominations for Christina Ricci’s supporting performance and Patty Jenkins’ screenplay

Charlize Theron’s transformation is regarded as one of cinema’s most impressive, both physically and emotionally.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Charlize Theron gained weight, wore prosthetic teeth, and drastically altered her voice to portray Aileen.
Director Patty Jenkins spent months studying archival footage and interviews to ensure accuracy.
Theron worked closely with people who knew Aileen personally, including prison guards.
Christina Ricci’s character is fictionalized due to legal restrictions involving the real person.

Inspirations and References

The film is inspired by:

Real criminal case files
Interviews with Aileen Wuornos, including death-row footage
Court testimony and documented police interrogation transcripts

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no major alternate endings, but several small character moments were cut for pacing, including more backstory for Selby. These scenes emphasized her codependency but were removed to maintain focus on Aileen’s downfall.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not directly adapted from a book, but several biographies of Aileen exist. The film differs from many written accounts by presenting her with empathetic nuance, not merely villainizing her.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Aileen kills her attacker, blurring justice and murder
The heartbreaking phone call where Selby betrays her
Aileen’s last speech in court
A silent moment where she sees Selby leaving on a bus, realizing she is alone

Iconic Quotes

“I’m not a bad person. I’m a real good person.”
“You don’t have to justify a damn thing.”
“I never meant to hurt anybody.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Selby’s character name was changed due to legal rights, reflecting how law shapes storytelling.
Theron mimics Aileen’s real interview posture, including clenched facial muscles and darting eyes.
Some locations match real-life crime areas almost exactly.

Trivia

Charlize Theron’s Oscar speech dedicated the win to women surviving abuse.
Patty Jenkins’ next directing job after Monster took over a decade due to Hollywood sexism.
Aileen Wuornos saw herself as a “soldier,” a mindset the film subtly includes in her dialogue.

Why Watch?

Because Monster is not just a crime film; it’s a devastating portrait of how trauma, poverty, and violence can shape a life. It challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths and asks whether a person becomes a killer, or is made into one.

Monster (2003)