Bundy captivates America 30 years after his death

By Sarah Fischer

Jan. 24 marks the 30th anniversary of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy’s execution, and, on the same day, Netflix delivered an enthralling documentary series including all the details of his crimes.

Bundy was a psychopathic killer who, throughout the 1970s, used his charisma and intellect to remain out of suspicion while collectively murdering 30 women until he was finally executed by the electric chair.

Director Joe Berlinger’s four-part documentary series “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” explored evidence that had never before been released to the public, such as 100 hours of recorded conversations with Bundy which were used to create the series. Berlinger artfully pieces together archival footage with Bundy, most of which revolve around his life, his years in and out of the legal system and, eventually, his killings.

The series is chilling; however, it offers a glimpse into an era when murderers like Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy and the Zodiac Killer were rampant, though Bundy was unlike any killer society had ever faced. It also provides great insight into the mindset of society in the 1970s before the term “serial killer” existed, when the perception of a murderer was typically one who had no education, never fit in and had a horrible childhood.

Berlinger also directed the film “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” starring Zac Efron as Bundy, which follows his life and crimes while in his relationship with Liz Kloepfer, played by Lily Collins. The trending film premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 26 with praise for Efron’s performance, and there is currently no official date of its wide release to theaters.

“Conversations with a Killer: Ted Bundy Tapes” works well as a series rather than a film, fitting in more content than it could’ve as a film. It would also be interesting to see Netflix add more similar shows featuring famous serial killers who have had a monumental impact on society and the development of new psychology like Bundy did.

So far, there are a few Netflix originals pertaining to serial killers, such as the 2017 series “Mindhunter” and the 2018 series “Inside the Criminal Mind,” which has an episode featuring serial killers. However, “Conversations with a Killer: the Ted Bundy Tapes” is Netflix’s first series to feature a complete case following a renowned killer.