Netflix has gotten some unexpected reactions to its newly-released docu-series Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes. The streaming giant responded to the thoughts some viewers have expressed about Ted Bundy being “hot.” Talking in the first person, Netflix issued a response via the tweet below:
There you have it. Netflix has a gentle reminder for its subscribers. You can find lots of attractive men on the streaming service who are not convicted serial murders. What is interesting is that Netflix said “almost of all of whom.” Who are these other exceptions, in their opinion?
Some viewers’ reaction to seeing Ted Bundy in the docuseries has stirred its own bit of controversy. The docuseries features archival footage and interviews with Bundy. He had confessed to murdering more than 30 victims at the time of his execution in 1989.
Adding heat to the hubbub surrounding people’s perception of Ted Bundy being “hot” is the upcoming Zac Efron film. Efron portrays the serial murderer in the movie, which is titled Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile. That is a title holding nothing back!
The movie is among the slate of premieres happening at the Sundance Film Festival. The first trailer for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile was recently released. Reaction to it spurred one of Ted Bundy’s victims to speak out. Kathy Kleiner Rubin asserted that the movie was simply showing Bundy “the way he was.”
There is a connection between the movie and the Netflix docuseries. The director of Conversations with a Killer is also the director of the upcoming biopic starring Zac Efron. One shows the actual Ted Bundy in his own words, an unvarnished glimpse at the serial murderer. The other a dramatized take.
The reality is that people’s perception of Ted Bundy and his appearance is what made his unmasking so shocking to many people at the time. So, what social media is expressing is not exactly new.
In the trailer, archival footage from news reports shows one young woman being interviewed about Bundy's appearance. She said that he “didn’t look like the type to kill somebody.” Reactions to the Netflix series and the trailer for Zac Efron’s movie are just a continuation of that sentiment.
It is not the first time a Netflix series has dealt with controversial reactions to those featured on its service. Actor Penn Badgley has spoken out about the response his character, Joe, has received from some viewers of You.
As for the talk surrounding Ted Bundy’s physicality, people can probably expect that to last for a while. At least, until after Zac Efron’s movie comes out.
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is currently streaming on Netflix, alongside many other premieres. The docuseries is among lots of new TV content making its way to the streaming giant this midseason.
