Ok, can I just tell you how excited I am that one of my favorite actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, has signed on to play one of the most prolific serial killers in American history, H.H. Holmes, in his new film based on the amazing non-fiction book, The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. I just picked up the book the other day, and I can't put it down! It's riveting and incredibly well-written.
The book is the amazingly true story of two men: one is the architect, responsible for the World's Fair in Chicago; the other is an evil, manipulative Svengali who was able to lure a countless number of women to his "Murder Castle" and torture and kill them in most unspeakable of ways: Think the movie, Hostel, only true and old timey. Holmes is the first known serial killer in America.
Leonardo DiCaprio is going to be awesome. I can't wait to see how he portrays him. Holmes was quite handsome and charming. He was a true psychopath. Beneath his cool, blue-eyed gaze and friendly demeanor, there was a brutal murderer who had total disregard for human life. He had the brilliant ability to mimic a flesh-and-blood human being, one filled with emotions and empathy toward others. He was master of manipulation and underneath it all he was a monster. He admitted to 27 murders, 9 of which were confirmed, but many believe there may have been as many as 200 who fell victim to his charm, which ultimately led to their unfortunate fate.
I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing. ...I was born with the Evil One standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I was ushered into the world, and he has been with me since. - H.H. Holmes
