Saagar Kote
Inspired by true events and directed by Janus Metz Pedersen, Netflix’s ‘Unabomber’ explores the life of Theodore Kaczynski, AKA Ted (Jacob Tremblay). It traces the path that eventually leads him to become the infamous Unabomber, a domestic terrorist. The story moves between Ted’s years as a young Harvard student and the massive FBI investigation that unfolds decades later in an effort to find him. As a teenager, Ted struggles to connect with those around him and establish his place in the world while also dealing with family and emotional difficulties. His time at Harvard takes a darker turn when Professor Henry Murray (Russell Crowe) subjects him to a series of controversial psychological experiments, an experience that becomes part of Ted’s troubled journey.
Years later, FBI agent Joanne Miller (Shailene Woodley) becomes involved in the case as authorities intensify their search for Ted. By shifting between his troubled youth and the manhunt surrounding him, the crime drama film examines the experiences and isolation that shape Ted’s transformation while presenting a complex portrait of the man behind one of America’s most complex criminal investigations. These movies, similar to ‘Unabomber,’ feature layered representations of criminals, troubled minds, and the consequences of crime.
12. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
‘Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,’ from director John McNaughton, is loosely based on the life of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. The psychological horror film centers on Henry (Michael Rooker), a recently released convict who earns a living as an exterminator while secretly carrying out random murders. Living with drug dealer Otis (Tom Towles), Henry draws him into his violent killing spree. Their increasingly disturbing crimes take a darker turn when Otis’ sister Becky (Tracy Arnold) comes to stay with them, and Henry develops a bond with her. Henry’s complete lack of compassion and refusal to leave witnesses behind make the escalating violence even more disturbing and harder to comprehend. Along the lines of ‘Unabomber,’ the film focuses on the disturbing personal characteristics of violent criminals, while also portraying how others behave around them and shape their actions.
11. Snowtown (2011)
‘Snowtown’ is an Australian crime drama film that dramatizes the true story of the Snowtown murders. In the 1990s, 16-year-old Jamie (Lucas Pittaway) finds himself bonding with John Bunting (Daniel Henshall), his mother’s new boyfriend. Jamie is already dealing with sexual abuse when John takes him under his wing. Although John appears friendly around others, Jamie soon sees a different side of him and becomes caught up with his group as well. As people close to Jamie begin to disappear and violence ensues, he realizes he is deeply involved in something he cannot easily escape. The Justin Kurzel directorial, similar to ‘Unabomber,’ examines how difficult personal circumstances can become part of a larger story of criminality. Jamie is vulnerable when John Bunting takes him under his wing, while Ted’s troubled youth affects him in dangerous ways.
10. Monster (2003)
‘Monster’ tells the story of Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron), a sex worker whose attempt to build a different life takes a dark turn. In 1989, Aileen meets Selby Wall (Christina Ricci) and begins a romance. To support Selby, Aileen tries to find legitimate work but struggles, eventually returning to sex work. After an encounter with a violent client ends with Aileen killing him in self-defense, she begins killing other clients, taking their money and cars.
When more men die, Selby starts suspecting that Aileen is responsible. Written and directed by Patty Jenkins, the crime drama film is inspired by the true story of Aileen Wuornos. ‘Monster’ follows Aileen’s relationships and struggles before and during her killing spree, while ‘Unabomber’ examines Ted’s youth and experiences before the FBI’s later pursuit. In both narratives, the personalities and histories of the criminals are important parts of the larger picture.
9. The Iceman (2012)
‘The Iceman’ chronicles Richard Kuklinski’s (Michael Shannon) transformation from working in a film laboratory into a professional hitman. In the 1960s, Richard marries Deborah Pellicotti (Winona Ryder) and starts a family. His life changes when mob boss Roy DeMeo (Ray Liotta) recruits him after he proves capable of killing for money. Richard becomes a contract killer while trying to keep his criminal life separate from his family. However, his refusal to kill a teenager brings him into conflict with Roy. While Richard’s reputation grows, so do the dangers surrounding him and his family.
Crafted under the direction of Ariel Vromen, the crime drama film is inspired by the true story of Richard Kuklinski and is based on the book ‘The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer’ by Anthony Bruno. The contrast between an outwardly ordinary life and a hidden criminal existence is central to both ‘The Iceman’ and ‘Unabomber’. Richard hides his work from Deborah and their daughters, while Ted’s earlier life and the criminal identity he eventually develops are connected.
8. Ted Bundy (2002)
Written and brought to life by Matthew Bright, ‘Ted Bundy’ dramatizes the life of the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy (Michael Reilly Burke). The crime-thriller film begins in 1974, when Bundy is a law student in Seattle. His fiancée Lee (Boti Ann Bliss) sees him as a promising young man, unaware of his disturbing side. While Bundy begins a brutal killing spree, the narrative follows his crimes across several states. He is eventually arrested but escapes from custody twice, leading to another series of murders before his final capture. The film provides a complex psychological account of a man responsible for several deaths, much like ‘Unabomber’ does. Both films move beyond the crimes themselves to examine the men behind them and what drives them.
7. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’ tells the story of Ted Bundy (Zac Efron) through the eyes of Liz Kendall (Lily Collins), who believes Ted is a loving partner and a father figure for her young daughter. The two meet in Seattle in 1969 and begin building a life together, but that sense of normalcy starts falling apart when Ted is arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and is accused of several murders. Liz struggles to accept this, and Ted eventually represents himself in court while maintaining that he has been framed.
Liz is forced to confront the possibility that the person she trusts is not who she believes him to be. Joe Berlinger steers this crime drama film, which is based on Elizabeth Kendall’s memoir ‘The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy.’ Both ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’ and ‘Unabomber’ move between personal relationships and criminal investigations. Bundy appears to Liz as a loving partner, while Ted’s persona hides something darker and more terrifying.
6. Memories of Murder (2003)
In ‘Memories of Murder,’ a series of murders in rural South Korea turns a routine investigation into a desperate search for a killer. In 1986, local detectives Park Doo-man (Song Kang-ho) and Cho Yong-koo (Kim Roi-ha) struggle to find answers after two women are raped and murdered. While more women are murdered in a similar manner, the detectives realize they may be dealing with a serial killer. The police chief then brings in Seo Tae-yoon (Kim Sang-kyung), a more technically sound detective from Seoul, hoping he can move the case forward. Despite the change in approach, the killer remains unidentified as the investigators are tested beyond their limits.
The Korean crime thriller film from director Bong Joon Ho is inspired by true events and based on the play ‘Come to See Me’ by Kim Kwang-lim. Along the lines of ‘Unabomber,’ the movie is a deeply psychological saga of violence, where the motives behind the murders become as important as the acts themselves. Despite being set in different countries, the two films share a sense of visual dread, deception, and uncertainty that challenge the investigators in unexpected ways.
5. The Frozen Ground (2013)
Set in the 1980s, ‘The Frozen Ground’ tells the story of Alaska state trooper Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage), who becomes convinced that local man Robert Hansen (John Cusack) is secretly responsible for a series of brutal murders. Halcombe has only circumstantial evidence, making it difficult to prove his suspicions. His biggest hope is Cindy Paulsen (Vanessa Hudgens), a young survivor who escaped Hansen but is now struggling with drug addiction.
Halcombe must earn Cindy’s confidence if she is going to help him build the case. While he works to uncover the truth, Hansen continues hunting women. Penned and brought to life by Scott Walker, the crime thriller film dramatizes the true story of Robert Hansen. Jack Halcombe investigates Hansen with limited evidence, while FBI agent Joanne Miller desperately hunts Ted. Both cases are intensified by the secrets the offenders keep and the complexities of their personalities.
4. Boston Strangler (2023)
In ‘Boston Strangler,’ reporter Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) notices a connection between a series of murders in Boston and identifies them as the work of a single killer. She continues investigating with fellow reporter Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) as more women are murdered. Their investigation becomes increasingly dangerous, but they refuse to abandon the story, even in a sexist and male-dominated professional space in the 1960s.
Loretta and Jean risk their own lives, pursue every lead, and attempt to keep the public informed about a killer who remains at large. The crime drama film from writer-director Matt Ruskin is an intense and engaging dramatization of the true story of the titular serial killer. ‘Boston Strangler’ and ‘Unabomber’ focus on the process of connecting crimes and identifying the person responsible. Both films feature determined investigators who continue pursuing a difficult case despite obstacles.
3. The Stranger (2022)
‘The Stranger’ begins when Henry Teague (Sean Harris), a man burdened by years of doing physical labor and committing crimes, meets Mark (Joel Edgerton) and forms an unexpected friendship with him. Mark soon offers Henry work, bringing him into what seems like another criminal organization. What Henry does not know is that Mark is an undercover police officer investigating a murder. He deliberately grows close to Henry, who is a murder suspect, hoping to gain his trust and obtain a confession. As their relationship intensifies, both men are forced to hide who they really are.
Behind their growing friendship, a major police operation unfolds in the shadows. Penned and helmed by Thomas M. Wright, the Australian psychological crime thriller film is based on the book ‘The Sting: The Undercover Operation That Caught Daniel Morcombe’s Killer’ by Kate Kyriacou, and inspired by real events. Akin to ‘Unabomber,’ the movie portrays an investigation that requires patience rather than a straightforward pursuit. Mark spends time developing a relationship with Henry to get closer to the truth, while the FBI investigation becomes a prolonged effort to locate Ted.
2. No Man of God (2021)
Director Amber Sealey’s ‘No Man of God’ centers on an unusual relationship that develops between FBI special agent Bill Hagmaier (Elijah Wood) and imprisoned serial killer Ted Bundy (Luke Kirby). Hagmaier keeps meeting Ted for criminal profiling work, to understand Bundy’s psychology, and provide answers for the victims’ families. Bundy agrees to discuss the details of his crimes only with Hagmaier, gradually turning their interviews into something far more complicated.
Hagmaier attempts to gain Bundy’s trust while confronting the disturbing mind of a convicted serial killer before his eventual execution in 1980. The psychological mystery film is based on transcripts from the real conversations between Ted Bundy and Bill Hagmaier. ‘No Man of God’ and ‘Unabomber’ give significant attention to criminal psychology and focus on the differences between the ways investigators and criminals perceive things.
1. Zodiac (2007)
‘Zodiac’ chronicles the investigation into the serial killer, known only as the “Zodiac,” who wreaks havoc in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The case becomes a growing obsession for Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), a newspaper cartoonist whose fascination with puzzles draws him deeper into the mystery. Working alongside reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and pursuing leads with police inspector David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and others, Graysmith begins conducting his own investigation into the killer’s identity. While his fixation intensifies, the search starts consuming the life he once had, affecting his work and familial life.
Spanning years of investigation, the narrative portrays a case that refuses to yield easy answers and only leads to greater chaos for anyone brave enough to investigate. Helmed by David Fincher, the crime thriller film is inspired by real events and based on Robert Graysmith’s books ‘Zodiac’ and ‘Zodiac Unmasked.’ Both ‘Zodiac’ and ‘Unabomber’ are built around real American criminal cases linked to enigmatic offenders. The two visually striking and unpredictable stories also unfold over extended periods, focusing on the criminals’ minds and the investigations in equal measure.
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