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Zac Efron's Performance As Ted Bundy Is Praised By Critics

Zac Efron's Performance As Ted Bundy Is Praised By Critics

When he was initially chosen to cast as one of America's most notorious serial killers people were unsure whether he was the man for the job

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

The trailer for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile has landed and initially people were unhappy with the main casting, Zac Efron, saying that the film seems to be 'glorifying' a serial killer.

Anyone who has seen the Netflix series Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes would have picked up on his outwardly charming and womanising ways.

He was one of America's most notorious serial killers and yet he dealt with his trial as some sort of on-screen production - so perhaps a High School Musical heartthrob was a no brainer when it came to casting.

That's certainly the general consensus from film critics alike after the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend, when Efron was also spotted rocking his platinum blonde hair.

Efron stunned everyone with his platinum blonde locks. Here he is pictured with on-screen girlfriend Lily Collins.
PA

Following the screening, The Guardian's Benjamin Lee gave the movie a three-star review, saying that Efron's performance is 'remarkable accomplished' and 'fiercely committed'.

Lee added: "As Bundy, he ruthlessly weaponises the boyish charm that's propelled much of his career, slyly convincing us of the spell he cast, not only on Liz (Lily Collins) but the many other women who were fighting his corner, sure of his innocence.

"It's the career-changing moment he was clearly seeking and with an executive producer credit, one can understand his impassioned involvement, a juicy opportunity to break away from his pretty boy shackles and prove that he's deserving of more dramatic work."

Efron has been praised for his performance in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
Voltage Pictures

Another review came from critic Chris Evangelista for Slash Film. In his opinion, Efron gave the 'best performance of his career'.

He continued: "He nails down the part in an absolutely eerie way. It's a transformative performance - Efron takes on Bundy's mannerisms perfectly, to the point where it no longer feels like we're watching Efron - we're watching Bundy resurrected from the grave.

"Efron has been doing good work in so-so films for a while now, but here, he gives the best performance of his career."

Serial killer Ted Bundy.
PA Images

For Little White Lies, Hannah Woodhead wrote: "The star of the show is unquestionably Efron, who captures the charm and manipulative streak which enabled Bundy to murder over 30 women across seven states over a four year timeframe.

"It's a theatrical, absorbing performance which works in part because of Efron's own cultish celebrity, but also because he manages to convey something dark and sinister lurking beneath the polished surface."

We cannot wait for this to be released.

Featured Image Credit: Voltage Pictures

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Ted Bundy