Monster (2003): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Monster is a 2003 biographical drama directed by Patty Jenkins, starring Bruce Dern, Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $58.5 million worldwide on a $8 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Leading Role, and 6 awards in all. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Patty Jenkins
- Original language
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English
- Studio
- Newmarket Films
- Budget
- $8M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Monster About?
The premise of Monster without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This film portrays Aileen Wuornos, a troubled woman whose experiences with prostitution shaped her survival instincts. As she struggles within a world of exploitation and violence, her claims of self-defense are questioned, leading to a haunting exploration of a complex life. The story delves into themes of love, tragedy, and the difficult search for redemption, offering a chilling look at a woman pushed to her limits.
Monster Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- prostitute
- female serial killer
- lesbian
- borderline personality disorder
- serial killer
- f rated
- lgbtqi
- serial killer as protagonist
- killer
- death
- abused woman
- father daughter relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- female nudity
- misanthrope
- prostitution
- sexual assault
- killing spree
- rape
- rape victim
- sexual violence
- attempted rape
- female criminal
- love
- sexual abuse
- oral sex
- underwear
- torture threat
- hand job
- killing in self defense
- lesbian romance
- lesbian love
- directorial debut
- f word
- written by director
- protagonist becomes antagonist
- prostitute murders client
- woman murders a man
- serial killer crime
- lesbian protagonist
- tragic character
- lesbian woman bisexual woman relationship
- lesbian woman bisexual woman sex
- lesbian woman bisexual woman love
- lesbian sex
- lesbian woman bisexual woman kiss
- bisexual woman
- bisexual female protagonist
- lgbt
- cruel man
- perverted man
Monster Cast
Bruce Dern leads the cast, with Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. Directed by Patty Jenkins.
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Director Patty Jenkins
More from Patty Jenkins
More films directed by Patty Jenkins, best-rated first: Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman 1984, Etta’s Mission and Five.
Monster Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Monster 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
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IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 81% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 81%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 7.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 85% User score
See on TMDB
Monster Plot Summary
What happens in Monster from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Aileen Wuornos, a seasoned sex worker, encounters Selby in a lively bar in Daytona Beach. Selby, who is somewhat self-centered, instantly forms a bond with Aileen, appreciating her willingness to cater to her every need. At a roller rink, Aileen showcases her knack for recognizing men’s unusual sexual desires, leading to a thrilling skating session that deepens their connection. As feelings intensify, they decide to share a motel room, solidifying their commitment to each other.
Full summary
The whole story of Monster, scene by scene
Monster Box Office & Budget
Monster grossed $58.5 million worldwide on a $8 million budget, 7.3 times what it cost. $34.5 million came from the US and Canada and $24 million (41%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$58.5M
7.3× its budget
- US & Canada
- $34.5M
- International
- $24M
- Budget
- $8M
Monster Awards & Nominations
Monster won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Leading Role, and 6 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 2004, with 2 wins from 3 nominations.
6 wins8 nominations6 ceremonies
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BAFTA 2005 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actress in a Leading Role – Charlize Theron
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Spirit Awards 2004 2 wins · 3 nominations- Won Best Female Lead – Charlize Theron
- Won Best First Feature
- Nominated Best First Screenplay
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Actor Awards (SAG) 2004 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role – Charlize Theron
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Golden Globes 2004 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress) – Charlize Theron
Show all 6 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Oscars 2004 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Actress in a Leading Role – Charlize Theron
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Critics' Choice 2004 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Actress – Charlize Theron
Monster Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Monster.
How Well Do You Know Monster?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the role of Aileen Wuornos?
Cars in Monster
41 cars on screen, including the 1987 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and the 1985 Chevrolet Blazer.
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1987 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Important role -
1985 Chevrolet Blazer Important role -
1981 Chevrolet C-10 Important role -
1988 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Important role
Monster Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Monster - Desejo Assassino” and “A rém”.
- Also known as
-
- Monster - Desejo Assassino
- A rém
- Monster - Basada en una historia real
- Монстр
- Monstro
- Cani
- 女魔头
- מונסטר
- Monstru
- 몬스터
- Zrůda
- Monster: Desejo Assassino
+9 more Show fewer
- Чудовище
- Monstras
- Netvor
- モンスター
- Monster: Asesina en serie
- Čudovište
- Monster – Aileen Wuornos
- ปีศาจ
- Koletis
Seen Monster?
Movies Like Monster
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Monster, Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman and Monster's Ball.
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Monster 2021 -
Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman 2021 -
Monster's Ball 2001 -
Monster 2023 -
Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story 1992 -
The Monster 1994 -
The Monster 2016 -
The Monster and the Girl 1941 -
Murder Me, Monster 2018 -
Aileen Wuornos: Angel of Death 2009 -
The Monster Project 2017 -
Thriller: A Cruel Picture 1973
Monster FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Monster, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Monster?
Monster runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Monster released?
Monster was released on December 24, 2003.
Who directed Monster?
Monster was directed by Patty Jenkins.
More films by Patty Jenkins Who is in the cast of Monster?
Monster stars Bruce Dern, Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci.
How much did Monster make at the box office?
Monster grossed $58.5 million worldwide ($34.5 million domestic, $24 million international) on a budget of $8 million.
How is Monster rated?
Monster has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 85% on TMDB.
What awards did Monster win?
Monster won 6 awards from 8 nominations, including Best Female Lead at the Spirit Awards 2004.
Does Monster have a post-credit scene?
No. Monster has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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