“Based on a true story.”
Sound familiar? We’re sure that everyone has came across the words “based on a true story” when watching a movie, usually horror or thriller. Just like twisted and gory movies, something about movies that were based on real murder events can give viewers goosebumps and bring out the curiosity in viewers.
We sometimes wonder if it would make a difference if the tagline “based on a true story” was left out. Does knowing that the movie is non-fictional make it even more horrifying as compared to it being fictional? We’ve come up with a list of movies that are based on real murder events so you be the judge. 😉
1. The Honeymoon Killers (1969)
“If you’ve never heard of Martha and Ray, see The Honeymoon Killers then try to forget them.”
Based on the story of a nurse name d Martha Beck (played by Shirley Stoler) who starts a romantic relationship with a deceitful gigolo named Raymond Fernandez (played by Tony Lo Bianco) in 1947, the movie leads to the couple falling into agreement where Fernandez lures desperate and lonely women for Beck to kill. The pair eventually murders Beck’s own family before getting apprehended by the police. Police suspected that the real Beck and Fernandez murdered a total of 17 people between the start of their scheme in 1947 and their arrest in 1949. The duo was executed in 1951.
2. The Dentist (1996)
Directed by Brian Yuzna, The Dentist was inspired by the story of real-life dentist/serial killer Nick Rex.
The movies sees Dr. Alan Feinstone (Corbin Bernsen) a dentist as well as an obsessive perfectionist, who slowly loses his grip on reality. One day, Feinstone wakes up and everything seems to be out of place; he sees dirt everywhere, thinks that his wife is cheating on him and gets frustrated by annoying patients. As his dementia increases, the dentist decides to take his neurotic spleen out on his clients by murdering them.
3. The Girl Next Door (2007)
This is likely going to make you fear even your own neighbours.
An American horror movie loosely based on the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens by Indianapolis housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, The Girl Next Door is also based on the book written by Jack Ketchem of the same title. Surreal, violent, and evidently similar to the actual case file, the movie tells the story of a girl who is kidnapped, tortured, rape, and mutilated in the basement by local neighbourhood kids.
4. The Zodiac (2007)
Directed by David Fincher, The Zodiac thriller starring Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, and Mark Ruffalo is based on the killings by The Zodiac Killer. Though the actually killer was never caught, this thriller based on his true crimes turned out to be one of the best crime-thriller movies of the recent years.
Watch it, but only if you dare.
5. From Hell (2001)
Starring Johnny Depp, From Hell is based on the true killings of infamous serial killer Jack The Ripper. Although there have been so many movies and tellings of the story of Jack The Ripper, this movie makes the best interpretation because it features actual facts and tries to tell the actual story of Jack The Ripper through the eyes of an investigator.
So, you be the judge. Does the fact that these movies are based on a true story make it even gruesomer than if it wasn’t? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget to check out our other movie lists too:
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