Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer is a thought-provoking and deeply unsettling documentary that delves into the mind of Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer who was convicted of murdering six men in Florida between 1989 and 1990. Director Nick Broomfield's follow-up to his 1992 documentary on Wuornos is a masterful exploration of the complexities of the human psyche, raising important questions about the nature of justice, morality, and the death penalty. Through a series of interviews with Wuornos, Broomfield captures the disturbing descent into madness of a woman who was deemed of sound mind by the state of Florida, and therefore fit to execute.

The film is a powerful indictment of the American justice system, which seems more concerned with expediency and retribution than with understanding the underlying causes of Wuornos' actions. Broomfield's inclusion of footage from his own testimony at Wuornos' trial adds a layer of depth to the documentary, highlighting the ways in which the legal system can fail to account for the complexities of human behavior. As Wuornos' mental state deteriorates over the course of the film, it becomes increasingly clear that she is not the rational, calculating killer that the prosecution made her out to be. Instead, she is a deeply troubled and vulnerable individual, driven by a toxic mix of desperation, trauma, and mental illness.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of Wuornos, who is often reduced to a simplistic caricature in popular culture. Broomfield's documentary humanizes her in a way that is both fascinating and deeply unsettling, capturing the contradictions and paradoxes of her personality. At times, Wuornos is charismatic and persuasive, conveying a sense of vulnerability and desperation that is deeply affecting. At other times, she is cold, calculating, and disturbingly detached, revealing a depth of emotional numbness that is chilling to behold. Through Broomfield's thoughtful and unflinching lens, Wuornos emerges as a complex and multifaceted figure, full of contradictions and surprises. Overall, Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer is a haunting and thought-provoking documentary that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, raising important questions about justice, morality, and the human condition.