Well, friends, it looks like you won't have to wait as long as you thought to watch Zac Efron's portrayal of the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy.
After a late-night bidding war between Netflix, STX, and Lionsgate, the streaming giant has acquired Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile for a whopping $9 million. It will join the docuseries The Ted Bundy Tapes, which gives a chronological look at Bundy's life and timeline of crimes. Both are directed by Joe Berlinger, making Netflix a suitable home for the movie counterpart. Only one question remains: When will it be available to stream?
Netflix is about to become your official home for Ted Bundy content.
Netflix is officially your home for red-hot Ted Bundy content. https://t.co/kpC1h1yWjN
— Matthew Belloni (@THRMattBelloni) February 4, 2019
Already home to popular docuseries The Ted Bundy Tapes, Netflix is now acquiring another of Joe Berlinger's serial killer masterpieces: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
Ever since it debuted at Sundance, the Bundy biopic, which stars Zac Efron, has been dominating the news cycle.
In the film, Efron portrays the notorious American serial killer Ted Bundy as he builds a relationship with Elizabeth Kloepfer (played by Lily Collins) while secretly murdering 30 innocent young women. It's told through Kloepfer's perspective and based on her memoir titled The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy.
Some people on social media have accused the film of glorifying the serial killer, while others think Efron's portraying Bundy exactly how he was, which is important.
Ted Bundy: *used his charm to lure his victims*
— sᴛᴇᴘʜ (@fuckn_marvel) January 27, 2019
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile *shows Ted Bundys charm*
ya’ll:pic.twitter.com/wLh6QCxkbx
It's worth noting that many of those criticizing the film have only seen the trailer. They're judging an entire film over the tone and music of a 1.5-minute teaser.
Even the director, Joe Berlinger, has explained that those critics had a "naive, knee-jerk reaction."
Girl... the title of the movie is literally "extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile" also you missed the whole point of the trailer we- https://t.co/POIVp7KqFo
— Ù‹ (@cubanstyIe) January 27, 2019
"If you actually watch the movie, the last thing we’re doing is glorifying him. He gets his due at the end, but we’re portraying the experience of how one becomes a victim to that kind of psychopathic seduction," Berlinger said.
Those who had the privilege of watching the film's premiere at Sundance have mostly praised it.
EXTREMELY WICKED SHOCKINGLY EVIL & VILE has Zac Efron’s best performance to date as the sly, charming & evil Ted Bundy. More courtroom drama than horror. Forces us to sympathize with him until the very end. Extremely competent, shockingly decent & good. #Sundance #NBPSundance19
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) February 2, 2019
"Zac Efron's best performance to date as the sly, charming, and evil Ted Bundy," one review read on Twitter. "More courtroom drama than horror. Forces us to sympathize with him until the very end."
Efron and Collins, especially, earned rave reviews online.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile was sooooooo good. Zac Efron and Lily Collins were fantastic and gave amazing performances.
— alliehustle (@alliehustle_) January 27, 2019
"Zac Efron and Lily Collins were fantastic and gave amazing performances," one Twitter user said. And honestly, I would expect nothing less!
However, there are some who preferred the docuseries over the biopic, which is totally understandable.
EXTREMELY WICKED: A movie that never commits to a POV, and seems to fall for Ted as much as the cameras did during the trial. Watch the doc instead.
— Brian Tallerico (@Brian_Tallerico) January 27, 2019
Twitter user Brian Tallerico accused the film of "never committing to a POV" and "falling for Ted as much as the cameras did during the trial." He told his followers to "watch the doc instead," which also happens to be Berlinger's work.
Regardless, Netflix decided to give people a choice of which one to watch by acquiring Extremely Wicked for $9 million.
Netflix finally made its first acquisition of #Sundance, picking up Zac Efron’s Ted Bundy film: Extremely Wicked and Shockingly Evil and Vile
— Will Mavity (@mavericksmovies) February 4, 2019
It was reportedly in a late-night bidding war with STX and Lionsgate. The deal is the first narrative feature buy for Netflix at this year's Sundance market.
While typically films premiere pretty quickly on Netflix, it seems we may have to wait a bit longer than normal for this one.
CALLED IT! After creating a Ted Bundy frenzy with its doc series, Netflix has acquired Zac Efron's Bundy movie EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL and VILE for roughly $9M. It'll come out this fall & will get an awards-qualifying run in theaters. Zac Efron, Oscar nominee?
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) February 4, 2019
The streaming giant is reportedly waiting for a fall theatrical release so it can be a frontrunner for awards-season considerations for Efron and Collins.
Some people are a little disappointed that Netflix bought the rights to the film.
Still a better use than paying for another year of Friends
— â„’indsay (@lindsaysaidwhat) February 4, 2019
But I think we can all agree having this biopic on the platform is better than enduring another year of Friends. We need new content, y'all! Sorry not sorry.
While you wait for the official Netflix release date, listen to Berlinger and the cast discuss how they approached the film.
???????? @ZacEfron talks about the risks of playing infamous serial killer Ted Bundy and why he almost didn't accept the role. #Sundance #ExtremelyWicked pic.twitter.com/PnUoxg29O3
— Zac Efron FanForum (@ZacEfronFF) January 28, 2019
And hear Efron talk about why he almost decided not to take the role. Who else would've taken on the part of Bundy?
Now, when's the LEGO Ted Bundy movie coming out?
I’m on the fence about this new LEGO Ted Bundy movie.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) February 4, 2019
No, seriously, isn't that the next step in this serial killer trilogy?
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