Dark Roots: Movies Inspired by Actual Killers
Movies either based on real murderers and serial killers or featuring characters inspired by them.
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- DirectorAlexandre MoorsStarsIsaiah WashingtonTequan RichmondTim Blake NelsonAn abandoned boy is lured to America and drawn into the shadow of a dangerous father figure. Inspired by the real-life events that led to the 2002 Beltway sniper attacks.Based on the Beltway sniper attacks
- DirectorScott WalkerStarsNicolas CageVanessa HudgensJohn CusackAn Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.Based on Robert Hansen
- DirectorJustin KurzelStarsLucas PittawayDaniel HenshallLouise HarrisBased on true events, 16 year-old Jamie falls in with his mother's new boyfriend and his crowd of self-appointed neighborhood watchmen, a relationship that leads to a spree of torture and murder.Based on John Bunting
- StarsEmily WatsonDominic WestRobert GlenisterDramatisation of the case of serial killers Fred and Rose West, focusing on the way in which they were brought to justice.Based on Fred and Rosemary West
- DirectorFord AustinStarsFord AustinArt LaFleurRandal MaloneA secret government has been trying to create the ultimate killer using the DNA of infamous killers Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy, but there's one big problem: they've escaped! Bloody mayhem stretches across the United States as they go on the ultimate killing spree. Trying to stop the maniacal madness is Ringo, a hick warrior, using only a shotgun and a bottle of whiskey. It all leads up to the ultimate showdown!Inspired by the personas of Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy
- DirectorAllan KroekerStarsJohn CorbettSara CanningTygh RunyanThe true story of the year-long manhunt for the killer who raped and murdered his way up and down the I-5 corridor through California, Washington, and Oregon for over a year in 1981, leaving 44 victims in his wake.Based on Randall Woodfield
- DirectorPeter KernStarsSusanne WuestHelmut BergerCornelia AlbrechtAbout the murders of three nurses in the Lainz Hospital, Germany.Based on the Lainz Angels of Death
- DirectorSkip KiteStarsWalt KissackGary SharkeyAdam LewisThis drama takes you into the mind of one of the UK's most notorious serial killers, while using archive news footage. We are shown his formative years, the biggest manhunt in police history to capture him and finally his time in jail, through actors and newsreels.Based on Peter Sutcliffe
- DirectorUlli LommelStarsKen ForeeUlli LommelChristopher KriesaA mysterious shooter randomly kills innocent citizens in public; one after the other in broad daylight. All murders happen not far from the White House; not far from the President.Based on the Beltway sniper attacks
- DirectorSvetozar RistovskiStarsWilliam ForsytheJesse MossEmma LahanaA chronicle of the interaction between college student Jason Moss and the object of his obsession, serial killer John Wayne Gacy.Based on John Wayne Gacy
- StarsAdam KotzJuliet AubreyNatalie PressBased on the personal testimonies of many of those most closely involved, "Five Daughters" recounts the final weeks in the lives of the five young women murdered in Ipswich in 2006.Based on the Ipswitch serial murders
- DirectorJohn MurlowskiStarsScott Anthony LeetCole WilliamsDusty SorgThe true story of William Bonin a California serial killer.Based on William Bonin
- DirectorJosh TownsendStarsTeresa Arnold-SimmonsRalph CahillChristina CaparoulaDanny Rolling's serial killings of five college students in 1990 forever changes the college-town of Gainseville, FL.Based on Danny Rolling
- DirectorPaul SouthWilliam TaftStarsSeth CorreaSteve WilliamsMarc SalemeBob Berdella who originated from Ohio, moved to Kansas City in the 1960s to enroll at the KC Art Institute. Shortly after his move to Kansas City, Berdella purchased a house on 4315 Charlotte Ave. This house would serve as the grounds for some of the most bizarre acts of torture and mutilation ever performed. Bob Berdella was very active in his local community. He was in charge of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Coalition for many years, was a cook for many restaurants in KC, even worked with the local news stations in organizing numerous charities and auctions. Berdella was also notable for his work mentoring troubled youths, and was even assigned as the probation officer to many of these teens. In the end Bob was known for his shop, at the Westport Flea Market, "Bob's Bazaar Bizarre". It was here at this shop that many people met and interacted with Berdella. His shop was setup like any normal flea market, but his taste of goods were different than the rest of the merchants at Westport Flea Market. Bob had real human skulls, witchcraft and occult books, jewelry, knives and swords, and practically anything that would be classified as bizarre. Berdella, after his arrest, was known for keeping precise notes on his torture and killing methods. Investigators found these notebooks under his mattress with over 1,000 Polaroid pictures taken of his victims at various stages of their torture. The evidence was overwhelming and Bob eventually admitted to 6 murders between the years of 1984-1988.Based on Robert Berdella
- DirectorJulie DelpyStarsJulie DelpyDaniel BrühlWilliam HurtA 17th century Hungarian countess embarks on a murderous undertaking, with the belief that bathing in the blood of virgins will preserve her beauty.Based on Elizabeth Báthory
- DirectorMichael FeiferStarsAntonio Sabato Jr.John BurkeKelly CurranThe true story of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.Based on Henry Lee Lucas
- DirectorUlli LommelStarsAdolph CortezElissa DowlingVictoria UllmannInspired by the true story of the most publicized and deranged serial killer known to everyone as "The Night Stalker."Based on Richard Ramirez
- DirectorJulius SevcíkStarsMilan KnazkoDagmar HavlováPavel GajdosIn a world of decay even the most horrific deeds seem normal. Life account of the most dreaded German serial killer of the 1930s.Based on Peter Kürten
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsMaxim GaudetteSébastien HuberdeauKarine VanasseA dramatization of the 1989 Montréal Massacre, during which several female engineering students were murdered by an unstable misogynist.Based on the Montreal massacre
- DirectorJames MarshStarsWarren ClarkePaddy ConsidineJames FoxThe Home Office bring in senior Manchester detective Peter Hunter to conduct a secret review of the Ripper investigation to date.Inspired by Peter Sutcliffe
- DirectorStewart HopewellStarsLucy HoltAmy ShielsDavid SterneA young woman looks to escape her abusive life by moving to a friend's farm near Atlanta. Unfortunately, she learns her place of supposed comfort offers more terrifying forms of abuse.Inspired by Belle Guinness
- DirectorManish GuptaStarsKay Kay MenonArbaaz KhanRukhsar RehmanIn 1980s Bombay, a serial killer starts targeting homeless street dwellers, whilst a suspended police officer attempts to solve the case.Based on the Stoneman murders
- DirectorRob SchmidtStarsEliza DushkuCary ElwesTimothy HuttonBased on the true story of the double initial killings in Rochester, NY.Based on the Alphabet murders
- DirectorUlli LommelStarsVictoria UllmannPia PownallJacquelyn AuroraInspired by the streak of murders committed along Baseline Ave in Arizona during 2006 amd 2007. A vicious serial killer stalks and kills women along Baseline Avenue, a 2-mile stretch in East Phoenix, AZ.Based on Mark Goudeau
- DirectorJuraj JakubiskoStarsAnna FrielKarel RodenVincent ReganWith an unquenchable thirst for blood, Countess Elizabeth Bathory was one of the most prolific serial killers in history.Based on Elizabeth Báthory