Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Zac Efron, Netflix, Film and TV, Streaming, Ted Bundy, True crime
Ellie Kemp
Topics: Zac Efron, Netflix, Film and TV, Streaming, Ted Bundy, True crime
Netflix fans have binge-watched an 'extremely well done' Zac Efron movie for 27 million hours - with some replaying the film three times over.
The movie itself is based on one of the most infamous true crime cases, offering up a different perspective on a well-known serial killer.
Efron, meanwhile, has proven his range time and again, far removed from his early days of being caught between basketball and show tunes as Troy Bolton in High School Musical.
Since then, he’s taken on a wide array of roles - from the charming time-traveler in 2009's 17 Again to the raw portrayal of wrestler Kevin Von Erich in 2023's The Iron Claw.
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Along the way, he’s embraced comedy too, notably as the lovable frat boy in Neighbors, where - believe it or not - he dislocated his thumb on Dave Franco's crotch. Yes, really...
However, it's in this underrated Netflix movie that he gives what fans reckon is his best performance to date.
It tells the story of US serial killer Ted Bundy - from the perspective of his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, played by Emily in Paris' Lily Collins.
For years, Liz refuses to believe the horrifying accusations against the man she loves, clinging to the image of the charming, intelligent and seemingly devoted partner he presents to her. But as he's taken to court and the truth emerges, her world falls apart.
Happy Gilmore 2's Haley Joel Osment, Maze Runner's Kaya Scodelario and Westworld's Angela Sarafyan also star in the film.
Bundy rose to infamy for the vile kidnapping and rape of several women throughout the 1970s.
Bundy confessed to killing as many as 30 victims in just a four-year period - but it's widely believed that his kill count was higher.
He was eventually caught for his crimes but repeatedly denied murder and had long dismissed the rumors about him. Bundy was executed by electric chair in 1989.
The movie in question is called Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
Having released to Netflix in May 2019, the film has been watched from 27 million hours between January 2023 and June 2025 alone, as per FlixPatrol figures.
While viewers rave about the crime drama, it was rated just 57 percent by fans on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics scored it even lower; 54 percent.
Among the 1,000-plus fan reviews, though, plenty reckoned the movie was underrated. Efron's portrayal was also highly praised, as one hailed it 'simply astonishing and worth the viewing'.
"The storytelling is really good and pointing out the story of the relationship between Bundy and his wife, till the end, makes the whole movie totally different from every other movie based on the vile serial killer," they wrote.
A second agreed: "I don't understand the low ratings at all. This has to be one of the best serial killer movies ever. This is also one of Zac Efron's best."
A third social media user added: "Zac's best role since Troy Bolton!"
Meanwhile, a fourth admitted: "Watched it three times and great acting on behalf of Zac Efron..."
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile is streaming now on Netflix US.