Netflix has released a new true-crime documentary,CHAOS: The Manson Murders,which presents unconventional theories about the infamous crimes of the Manson Family. Watching the interview clips in the documentary made me appreciate Damon Herriman’s performance as theinfamous Charles MansoninMindhunterandOnce Upon A Time In Hollywoodeven more.
The actor’s ability to capture not just Manson’s unnerving mannerisms but also the unsettling charisma described by those who encountered him elevates his performances from mere imitation to a truly haunting embodiment.With real-life figures, it can be easy for actors' performances to come off as a mimic, but Herriman goes far beyond this with his uncanny portrayal, capturing the eerie magnetism of thecult leader described inCHAOS: The Manson Murders.
Damon Herriman’s Role As Charles Manson In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Is Scarily Accurate To The Real Person
The Documentary Features Several Anecdotes On His Charisma, As Shown In Tarantino’s Movie
Damon Herriman nails the mannerisms shown in the clips from the Netflix documentary, but he also embodies the charm described anecdotally. InOnce Upon A Time In Hollywood, a somewhat whimsical interpretation of a very dark period in true crime history, Herriman makes the audience understand Charles Manson’s charisma when he visits the Polanski residence. AlthoughTarantino’s movie tells an alternate history– including this scene, which contradicts the documentary’s account of Manson not knowing that Terry Melcher moved -Herriman’s performance as Manson truly captures the disturbingly manipulative leader. This grounds the fictionalized narrative in the realism of its characters.
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Once Upon A Time In Hollywoodis not the only time Herriman has portrayed Manson. He is also featured in a mesmerizing scene of the tragically cancelled Netflix crime dramaMindhunter.This shows Manson at a different point in life and is more reminiscent of the interview clips from prison shown throughoutCHAOS: The Manson Murders.The body language alone, having Manson sit unconventionally on the chair back to physically place himself above Ford and Tench, is a great piece of storytelling. He absolutely embodies the infamous cult leader, deflecting Tench’s questions and interrogating him about his values.
Damon Herriman Is The Best Modern Portrayal Of Charles Manson
Herriman Masterfully Portrayed Manson’s Disturbing Presence In Prison
I struggle to think of an actor more well-suited to playing Charles Manson than Damon Herriman. He embodied different aspects of the figure so perfectly inOnce Upon A Time In Hollywoodand gave us one of themost interesting case studies inMindhunter.From his charisma to his cultural commentary and insight into others, Herriman has clearly studied Manson’s mannerisms and the way he is described by those who knew him. In the two portrayals, audiences can see the duality of Manson - the mesmerist, as emphasized inCHAOS: The Manson Murderswith the puppeteer imagery, and the criminal.
Herriman’s is the best performance since Steve Railsback inHelter Skelter…
Herriman’s is the best performance since Steve Railsback inHelter Skelter(1978), which is still arguably the best. In the impassioned performance, Railsback provides an insight into how Manson sees the society around him. Elements of Railsback’s powerful monologue in the courtroom scene were clearly an influence on Herriman’s dialogue inMindhunter,such as his claim that he only helped his followers“stand up”and his putting the onus on their parents. For many viewers, Railsback’s is still the definitive performance, but Herriman’s certainly comes close, as proved by the clips shown inCHAOS: The Manson Murders.
