Wicked, evil, vile. Among many others, these words can easily be used to describe serial killer Ted Bundy. But with the recent release of Netflix’s “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile,” I was afraid I would hear him described as “handsome,” “intelligent” or even worse, “charming.”

The movie follows Bundy’s family life and crimes, as told by his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer. As a true crime fan, I was beyond excited to hear Kloepfer’s story, but I was nervous that the movie would follow in the footsteps of so many others, like “My Friend Dahmer” and “Monster,” and romanticize a vicious killer.

Unlike those before it, “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile” managed to blend the charming family-man persona Bundy portrayed in his daily life with the monster he showed through  his crimes. One moment, Bundy cooks breakfast for his girlfriend and daughter, and the next he stalks and kills a young woman. With this contrast, it is impossible to romanticize Bundy.

At first, I was hesitant about Zac Efron’s portrayal of Bundy. I’m used to seeing Efron in “heartthrob” roles, and didn’t want Bundy to become one of those performances roles. But Efron masterfully captured the dramatic difference between who Bundy pretended to be and who he truly was

“Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile” is by far the best true crime movie I have seen to date. From Efron’s acting to the exceptional script, there are so many aspects that set it apart from the countless other movies about Bundy.

This movie is perfect for true crime fans and film buffs alike, but don’t go into it expecting to feel attached to Efron’s character. You will only receive the harsh truth about who Ted Bundy was: wicked, evil and vile.