Monster covers a short (but critical) period of time in the life of Aileen Wuornos, considered to be the first female serial killer in the United States. Unlike most movies that tackle such a subject matter however, Monster is not an exploitative thriller in which the kill is the centerpiece of the movie. In fact, if anything the killings are moved to the margins. They are no longer the main tragedy of Aileen's life, rather a tragic result of it. She's simply not meant for this world. It's obvious from the moment you see her that Aileen. She takes affront at the slightest suggestion, says whatever comes to her mind, and cocks her head incredulously at the most minor criticism.

And it's here that Theron's Oscar-worthy performance really shines through. She manages to channel a completely different person - with every uncomfortable remark and embarrassing glance we forget that it's a fiction film, and begin to pity the figure at the center. Of course, Aileen would not be so tragic if not for her relationship with Christina Ricci's Selby. Their relationship is strange and strained, an attempt for two culturally peripheral individuals to find love with each other. In a deft sweep of movie making, we're never quite sure what to make of Selby, We can't tell if she's a self-deluded co-dependant, or simply ignorant to many of Aileen's violent faults.