In other hands, 'Monster' could easily have been overwrought, overly-sadistic, over-sentimental and too heavy on the melodrama, which would have done an interesting and more complex-than-one-would-think serial killer an injustice.

'Monster' however turned out to be a near-flawless film, that has a real sense of the time, the brutality of the crimes and also the case's complexity. The story of Aileen Wuornos here is told here as more than just a serial killer film, it is instead a powerful film told with harrowing chills and tender humanity with Wuornos herself portrayed as more than just a monster without being glorified or over-humanised.

An earth-shattering, career-best performance from Charlize Theron as Wuornos helps enormously, a performance that goes way beyond changing her appearance completely by gaining weight and using dental prosthetics to the point of being unrecognisable and is one of gentle compassion and frightening coldness. This may sound oxymoronic, but it isn't, it means that what could easily have been a one-dimensional portrait of Wuornos is given surprising complexity by Theron.

She is superbly supported by an understated Christina Ricci, though one wishes that her character had a little more development and was more vividly drawn. The supporting cast all round are strong, if not burning in the memory as much or as long as Theron. 'Monster' is directed beautifully by Patty Jenkins, and the production values are similarly terrific especially in the gritty and classy cinematography that perfectly captures the dark subject matter. The music is used sparely but when used is very evocative of the period.

Further advantages are an intelligent and beautifully-constructed screenplay, that balances Wuornos' character with aplomb and the different mood components with equal adeptness, and a continually gripping story that is frightfully rich in atmosphere and mood.

Overall, truly excellent film especially for Theron, that avoids all the potential pitfalls it could easily have done in other hands. 9/10 Bethany Cox

MONSTER is a very effective serial killer drama that has a lot in common with the even more disturbing HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER. It's the matter-of-fact portrayal of a down-on-her-luck prostitute, one of life's ultimate losers, who one day snaps and decides to take out her long-repressed rage on the violent men in her life. As a true story this is almost documentary-like in feel, bolstered by Charlize Theron's excellent (and unrecognisable) performance as Wuornos, for which she deservedly won the Oscar. The rest is very well made, really getting into the heart of the characters involved; the subject matter is depressing but everything else about this is electrifying.

Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron) grew up with dreams of stardom. However her childhood is filled with abuse and sexual promiscuity. She falls into prostitution. She's in Florida servicing truckers on the side of the highway. She meets lonely awkward lesbian Selby Wall (Christina Ricci) who is under pressure from her religious father to reject her sexuality. After killing a violent John in self defense, she spirals into a series of killings. The relationship with Shelby deteriorates when she suspects Aileen of the murders.

This is a breakout performance from Charlize Theron. She shows that she is better than a simple model-turned-actress. She shows that she has great acting skills. Christina Ricci is a terrific companion. The genius of writer/director Patty Jenkins is to point the camera at Theron. She is allowed to fully express the character as both the victim and as the monster.