8 films about real psychopaths that you need to watch

If you are interested in impressive stories that go beyond fiction, here I have put together a list of eight films which portray real psychopaths, their motivations, crimes and the impact they left on the world. This type of film always gains prominence in the market and at this moment everyone is talking about Monster: A History of Ed Geinthe new series from Netflix which describes one of the biggest murder cases in the United States.

For those who are following the series and want to see more content of this type, this list is full of options like this. Each one addresses complex characters, some with moral dilemmas and others with investigations that reveal the darker side of humanity. And the best part: they are all available on streaming.

1. Monster: Deadly Desire (2003)

Charlize Theron delivers one of the most impressive performances of her career when she lives Aileen Wuornosa prostitute who ended up becoming one of the most famous serial killers in the USA. The film brutally shows the trauma and abuse that shaped his personality and reveals how despair can turn into violence.

It’s impossible to watch without feeling torn between empathy and disgust. Theron’s interpretation earned the Oscar for Best Actressand the story goes far beyond suspense, questioning the extent to which the environment creates its own monsters.

📺 Where to watch: Prime Video (needs Diaomind Films+ benefit)

2. The Night Nurse (2022)

Inspired by the life of Charles Cullena nurse who killed dozens of patients in the United States, the film follows the apparently peaceful daily life of a man who hides a dark side. History also shows Amya colleague who distrusts standards and risks everything to report it.

Com Jessica Chastain e Eddie Redmayne In the main roles, the film is an engaging and human thriller, but it also makes good use of the space to criticize the hospital system and reveals how difficult it is to identify a killer who acts in silence.

📺 Where to watch: Netflix

3. Zodiac (2007)

Under the direction of David Fincher“Zodiac” reconstructs the obsessive hunt for the mysterious killer who terrorized San Francisco in the 1960s and 1970s. The plot shows how journalists and police officers dive into a cycle of enigmas and paranoia, trying to decipher the messages left by the criminal.

More than a thriller, it is a study in obsession. With Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. e Mark Ruffalothe film shows how the search for truth can destroy as much as the evil itself that one tries to understand.

📺 Where to watch: HBO Max

4. Ted Bundy: The Final Confession (2019)

The film portrays the last days of Ted Bundyperhaps the most famous serial killer in the United States. Zac Efron surprises in the role of the criminal, revealing his manipulative charm and the way he enchanted the media while committing atrocities.

By focusing on their testimonies, the film exposes the narcissism and coldness that marked Bundy, as well as provoking reflection on the public’s fascination with violent figures. It’s an uncomfortable but necessary portrait.

📺 Where to watch: Prime Video (rent or purchase)

5. The Girl Who Killed Her Parents / The Boy Who Killed My Parents (2021)

The tip here is in double dose. The two national films revive the Richthofen caseone of the most notable crimes in Brazil. Each production shows a different version of the facts: one from the perspective of Suzane von Richthofenanother by the brothers Cloves.

With intense performances, the plot explores manipulation, power and psychopathy in a context very close to Brazilian reality. At the end, the audience is invited to create their own interpretation of what really happened.

📺 Where to watch: Prime Video and Prime Video

6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

This one needs no introduction. Freely inspired by the crimes of Ed Gein, one of the best-known American psychopaths, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre It forever changed the concept of horror in cinema. The film follows a group of young people who, traveling through the Texas countryside, end up encountering a family of insane killers led by the remarkable Leatherface.

The film is remembered not only for its explicit horror, but for the suffocating atmosphere and the feeling of panic that lasts long after the final credits. Even decades after its release, the figure of Leatherface and psychological horror remain relevant. It is a must-have classic for anyone interested in true crimes and their extreme adaptations.

📺 Where to watch: Mercado Play (free) e Prime Video (needs the Filmelier+ benefit)

7. The Bone Collector (1999)

Inspired by real cases, the film follows a quadriplegic detective (Denzel Washington) and a young police officer in search of a serial killer who leaves macabre clues at each crime scene. The plot mixes mystery and investigation in an engaging way, keeping the audience hooked until the end.

The relationship between the protagonists gives emotional weight to the plot, while the suspense grows with each clue discovered. It’s a classic of the detective genre with a human and unsettling look at crime.

📺 Where to watch: HBO Max

8. Mindhunter (2017-2019)

Despite being a series, “Mindhunter” deserves a place on the list. The Netflix production shows the beginning of the FBI’s investigations into the behavior of serial killers and how the psychological study of these criminals helped to create new investigation methods.

Based on interviews and real cases, the series shows how contact with such disturbed minds affects the agents themselves. We can say that the series portrays well how the psychology of evil and how understanding all of this can be expensive, very expensive.

📺 Where to watch: Netflix

👉 Stay up to date with other tips and news we post here at Oficina da Net, as a selection of short series for you to watch on Netflix or if you really like horror films, I also have one selection of only HBO Max films that are truly scary.