Charlize Theron has become a feminist icon over the years. From her ability to candidly share her thoughts to the type of projects she takes on and even the success she has experienced, she has made a name for herself in more ways than one. However, this doesn’t come from a passive belief in the feminist movement, as the actress has had to confront her own demons over the years.

In 2003, the actress starred in Monstera film that changed the trajectory of his career. Playing the role of a real-life serial killer and doing a great job at it, the actress received more than a little recognition for it. It seems that this role would not have been possible if she had not experienced something heinous.

Charlize Theron’s traumatic past shaped her

Even though the world knows a lot about That of Charlize Theron past, there is a chapter that she very rarely addresses. When the actress was 15, her abusive father came home drunk with her brother. With a gun in his hand, he began to threaten and shoot his mother. In self-defense, the actress’ mother ended up getting her own gun and shooting her father.

Such an experience was understandably very traumatic for the actress, leading her not to speak about it publicly. However, she broke this rule once by talking to The New York Times. She began by clarifying that she had survived something very horrible and that she was very proud of herself for it.

I survived this and I’m proud of it.

Since the lines of morality were very blurred when this happened to the actress, she learned at a very young age that there can be many reasons for murder. She explained that because of her past, she better understands the darkness of human nature and is not afraid of it.

I worked hard for that too. And I’m not afraid of that. I’m not afraid of darkness. On the contrary, it intrigues me, because I think it explains human nature and people better.

In fact, Theron mentioned that she was intrigued by this, as her life had completely changed in the worst possible way.

Charlize Theron: Sympathy for Devils

It seems that experiencing such trauma at a young age influenced Charlize Theron’s life in more ways than one. She confessed that she even began to view the premeditated murder with an empathetic gaze. Specifically, she spoke about her role in Monster like Aileen Wuornos.

Wuornos, dubbed “America’s first female serial killer,” was charged with six counts of murder for shooting and robbing seven men while she worked as a prostitute. However, she has claimed in the past that her actions were a result of being raped while working.

With that in mind, Theron mentioned that people don’t want to look too closely at the intentions behind a murder. Emphasizing that they do not wish to know the answers that would make them sympathize with the killers, they distance the perpetrators from the human emotions in their minds.

People like Aileen Wuornos that people just want to label and, like, sweep under the rug. No one wants to examine this human. No one wants to look at that person and say, “But why did that happen?” I’m fascinated by the why. Because in many ways, I’m here today for reason.

However, she takes a different approach to these things, having her own experience. The actress chooses to examine everything that could have led them to do what they did before making a decision for herself. Perhaps it was her understanding of Wuornos that led her to give such a convincing performance in the 2003 film, which even earned her an Oscar.

Monster is available for streaming on Netflix and Prime Video.