Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Ted Bundy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 9, 2023

The story of Ted Bundy, serial killer, has commanded many books, movies, articles, and all sorts of news programs, with most offerings chasing after the idea of a “handsome” man capable of inhuman behavior. Every corner of Bundy’s life has been explored, but that doesn’t stop co-writer/director Matthew Bright, who endeavors to capture the essence of evil in 2002’s “Ted Bundy,” which chronicles the murderer’s quest to destroy women, using charm and psychological tactics to lure his victims into traps. While other media offerings generally seek to grasp the lurid nature of the crimes and spotlight Bundy’s battle with insanity, Bright goes the exploitation route, selling the idea of the madman’s horrors while making sure to highlight every moment of violence. As with most Bright movies, “Ted Bundy” is crude and wrongheaded, transforming a study of brutality into a surface appreciation of female agony.

“Ted Bundy” doesn’t explore the subject’s life, merely showcasing his vicious ways over the course of the few years, beginning in 1974. The writing tries to land structure through a relationship between Ted (Michael Reilly Burke) and his girlfriend, Lee (Boti Bliss), with their dysfunctional ways presented as “drama,” with Bright much more interested in Ted’s hunting efforts, presenting himself as a safe, open man to disarm women, with sexual assault and murder following initial contact. “Ted Bundy” fails in many ways, but it sinks as an understanding of psychology, unable to grasp Lee’s POV, as she’s clearly dealing with a monstrous man, only to remain faithful for reasons Bright has no interest in exploring.

Most of “Ted Bundy” is devoted to stalk-and-kill sequences, keeping Bright busy as he focuses on screaming, battered victims and Ted’s sexual fixations, including his fondness for necrophilia. There really isn’t a movie here, with Bright simply touring scenes of ugliness, forgoing the details of Ted’s thought process to celebrate pain, which is lingered on in a way that confuses Bright’s ultimate message with the work. He’s not pro-Bundy, but he’s certainly not going to pass up a chance to detail horrific moments of physical destruction, including slo-mo shots of desperate women trying to escape their pursuer. “Ted Bundy” is more of a mid-’70 drive-in shocker than a considered understanding of extreme mental illness, with Burke giving a weird Jim Carrey-esque performance as the eponymous ghoul.

Ted Bundy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm camera negative. Textures are found with displays of skin, capturing facial particulars well. Period costuming is also fibrous. Interiors showcase clear decoration, and exteriors retain dimension as Ted runs around various towns looking for victims. Colors are stable and deep, with distinct greenery throughout the viewing experience. Primaries are excellent, capturing big reds, while hues of the era are also capably represented. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Ted Bundy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix secures crisp dialogue exchanges, and does well with lengthy scenes of screaming, with such harshness pushing the limits of the sound equipment at times. Scoring supports with clear instrumentation and dramatic emphasis. Surrounds aren't incredibly active, pushing out music and certain atmospherics. Low-end isn't challenged.

Ted Bundy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Matthew Bright.

• "Burn, Bundy, Burn" (22:33, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Matthew Bright, who found his way to "Ted Bundy" after work on "Gun Crazy" and "Freeway," handed the concept of a Ted Bundy movie that required development. Bright gets into the psychology of the subject, laboring to challenge conceptions of the man and his crimes, identifying his work with the Republican party and battle with the bottle. Casting is celebrated, and Bright's artistic vision is analyzed, paying tribute to Stanley Kubrick to the best of his ability.

• "Ted Talk" (20:51, HD) is an interview with actor Michael Reilly Burke, who began his career on television, making his way through the industry for over a decade. A chance encounter led to his casting in "Ted Bundy," eventually meeting with co-writer/director Matthew Bright, and Burke admits some reluctance with the graphic screenplay, trying to change it through his performance. The challenge of playing Bundy is recalled, trying to find a way into the mind of a madman. More thoughts on Bright are shared, with the interviewee careful when discussing the helmer's POV with the writing.

• "Seeing Evil" (18:59, HD) is an interview with actress Boti Bliss, who was fresh from Colorado when she made her way to "Ted Bundy," representing one of the earliest roles of her career. She shares her audition story, getting to know co-writer/director Matthew Bright, responding to his warmth and eccentricity. Boti offers memories from the time when Bundy escaped from prison, basically making his way to her childhood home. She also examines characterization, working to figure out of the tone of the writing during filming. Co-star Michael Reilly Burke is assessed, making for a positive screen partner.

• "Scoring Bundy" (16:52, HD) is a video conference interview with composer Kennard Ramsey.

• "Designing Bundy" (18:10, HD) is a video conference interview with production designer Chris Miller, who recalls his first meeting with co-writer/director Matthew Bright, interested in the peculiar man. "Ted Bundy" required work on a period piece with a small budget, with Miller allowed to work on his own to figure out creative demands. The look of "Ted Bundy" is explored, and Miller details his early career ambition, eventually working with Bright on two films, with a third, about Charles Manson, eventually falling apart.

• "A Serious Red Flag" (8:47, HD) is an interview with actress Annalee Autumn, who details her audition, meeting co- writer/director Matthew Bright right away. The interviewee explores the technical aspects of the shoot, where she played a screaming victim killed by Ted Bundy (she's in the film for roughly ten seconds).

• "Highway to Bundy" (10:46, HD) is an interview with actress Phoebe Dollar, who was good friends with co-writer/director Matthew Bright, accepting a role as a victim without even reading the script. Copious amounts of praise for Bright is presented.

• "Believing Bundy" (11:36, HD) is an interview with actress Alexa Jago, who shares her audition story, responding to the subject matter, learning more about Ted Bundy during the production process. Characterization is detailed, and memories of co-writer/director Matthew Bright are shared.

• "Friend from Work" (13:13, HD) is an interview with actress Deborah Offner, who shares her familiarity with the Ted Bundy case, dating back to her time in Seattle during the 1970s. Character work is examined, with Offner trying to do something with a small part. Some talk of co-writer/director Matthew Bright's use of extreme violence is provided.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Ted Bundy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Ted Bundy" burns through the fine details of the killer's days, quickly covering two escape attempts and vague connections to female fans, skipping legal entanglements entirely. Weirdly, Bright takes his time with Ted's march to death, stopping the movie in full to examine the procedures involved with an electric chair execution, perhaps hoping to sell such graphic finality as a way to justify his fixation on the murderer's vile appetites. Bright seems ready to accept applause for his treatment of the brutalizer's final moments. Instead, there's simply great relief that this woefully misguided picture is finally over.