The last time Netflix released a trailer for “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” fans were not impressed and not afraid to voice their criticisms.
So, Netflix went back to the drawing board, tweaked a few things, and are trying things once more.
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The initial trailer simply didn’t portray the right vibe for a biopic about one of the most famous serial murderers of all time.
It had a lighthearted, happy-go-lucky soundtrack, paired with Zac Efron’s famously good looks.
In turn, it made it seem that they were trying to pass off a truly horrific string of events, that actually happened, as something much more trivial.
Many fans were so distracted by Zac Efron’s handsomeness and the snappy, upbeat music that they missed the entire point — and instead, began romantisizing Ted Bundy.
One user wrote that if we weren’t supposed to find Ted Bundy attractive, then they shouldn’t have cast Zac Efron for the role.
But if you’ve seen the Ted Bundy Tapes documentary on Netflix, then you know that Ted Bunch was perceived as handsome and charming.
So, technically Netflix is retelling the story accurately.
This person pointed out that the original trailer showed the film would be told from the perspective of Ted Bundy’s girlfriend — someone who did, in fact, find him handsome, lovable, and charismatic.
Although, they admitted “that the trailer was edited strangely,” adding “it does make it look too light hearted”.
Another person wrote that casting Zac Efron as a serial murderer was generating some conflicting emotions.
On one hand, Ted Bundy was a monster that no one in their right mind should be attracted to.
On the other hand, there’s Zac Efron…
Two very contradictory things.
Some people were mainly concerned with the fact that there were debates online over whether or not Ted Bundy was “hot or not”.
I think one day we will all look back and agree that 2019 was a very weird time.
Others just wanted everyone to know that Zac Efron and Ted Bundy are actually not the same person, and it’s okay to still find Zac Efron hot.
“Don’t confuse the two guys, just don’t,” they wrote.
So, anyway, Netflix released a brand new trailer and it’s way darker — as it should be.
They fixed everything that we hated about the original trailer.
The music is haunting and less reminiscent of an upbeat action flick.
The dialogue is straight-up chilling .
Even though it’s only a trailer, it already had me at the edge of my seat.
The first scene shows Ted Bundy’s ex girlfriend, played by Lily Collins, visiting him in jail, questioning his innocence.
It flashes back, giving the audience a glimpse of what their relationship was like when they first met.
“This is all going to end,” Ted tells his ex-girlfriend solemnly through the glass.
“It’s all going to end with the truth,” she replies.
Goosebumps. I know.
The trailer gives us a sneak peak of Ted Bundy’s trial, where he acted as his own attorney.
Similarly portrayed to the real-life events, when Ted defended himself in the courtroom, cracked jokes with the audience — making himself appear likable.
They also reveal that Ted Bundy’s trailer was the first ever televised trial in history.
They show paparazzi and cameramen in the courtroom capturing the whole thing as it unfolded.
All in all, this revamped version of the trailer hit the nail right on the head.
If we weren’t already excited enough to see this movie, we sure as hell are now.
Mission accomplished, Netflix.
See for yourself — here’s the full trailer:
The movie will be released exactly one month from today, on May 3rd in select theaters and, of course, on Netflix.
