Jack Unterweger - der charmante Serienkiller (2014)

Jack Unterweger - der charmante Serienkiller Poster

"He was attractive, cultivated, very sensitive, very empathetic". Lawyer Astrid Wagner's first impression when meeting the serial killer Jack Unterweger. As a young law student she had close contact with him: "It was a nice feeling to be needed." On June 28, 1994 Unterweger is convicted for the murder of nine prostitutes. Six hours later, he hangs himself in his cell. Twenty years later, Thema unrolls the incredible story of the woman murderer and asks former friends and other companions how Jack Unterweger influenced their lives.

Film Overview
"Jack Unterweger - der charmante Serienkiller" is a 2014 documentary film about the life of the well-known Austrian serial killer, Jack Unterweger. It highlights the atrocities devoted by Unterweger in between 1974 and 1992 in both Europe and Los Angeles, and his dual life as an award-winning author and a serial killer. The film provides in-depth info about his criminal offenses, his victims, and the detective work that eventually caused his arrest.

Early Life and Crimes
The film retells Jack's struggling early life, highlighting his training in a violent and violent environment, which may have shaped his future criminal behavior. It clarifies Unterweger's first known murder in 1974 when he beat an 18-year-old German female to death. He was apprehended and sentenced to life jail time in 1976 but handled to transform himself into a trustworthy author while behind bars. The movie goes over how his literary work won over popular intellectuals, who successfully petitioned his release.

Life After Release and Further Murders
After his release from jail in 1990, Jack Unterweger continued his secret life of criminal activity. The film creates a chilling story of Unterweger's murderous spree, where he eliminated 11 woman of the streets in different parts of Europe and the United States. Posing as a reporter, he charmed his victims before extremely ending their lives.

The Investigation and Unterweger's End
"Jack Unterweger - der charmante Serienkiller" diligently draws up Unterweger's capture, extradition, and trial. It brings to life the sophisticated investigator work including Austrian, Czech, and American private investigators, utilizing then-revolutionary forensic techniques to link Unterweger to the murders committed in the different locations. Following the evidence, the film draws a damning image of Unterweger's regret, as apparently unrelated murders in multiple countries were all traced back to him.

Underweger's trial, suicide, and Legacy
The trial took place in Graz, Austria, where he was condemned of nine out of eleven murders and sentenced to life jail time without the possibility of parole in 1994. The movie illustrates Unterweger as a master manipulator who preserved his innocence throughout the trial up until his demise. Unable to deal with the verdict, Unterweger dedicated suicide in his cell the exact same night he was sentenced. His extraordinary story, along with the scaries of his violent actions, have lived far beyond his death, mesmerizing the world and developing ripples in the realms of criminal justice and high culture.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "Jack Unterweger - der charmante Serienkiller" provides an impactful and chilling insight into the life of what appeared to be a reformed man, who ended up being one of the most notorious serial killers of recent times. By providing in-depth accounts from the private investigators, victims' families, and Unterweger's associates, the movie exposes the duality of a man who managed to appeal individuals while harboring an ingrained cruelty that led him to dedicate abhorrent criminal offenses. The documentary serves as a grim pointer of humanity's dual nature and the requirement for alertness in our justice systems.

Top Cast

  • Astrid Wagner (small)
    Astrid Wagner
  • Jack Unterweger (small)
    Jack Unterweger
  • Bianca Mrak
  • Reinhard Haller
    Psychiatrist
  • Ernst Geiger
    Police investigator
  • Hans-Jürgen Lerhofer
    Prosecutor
  • John Malkovich (small)
    John Malkovich
  • Fritz Friedel
    Narrator