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- Who Is Matt in ‘Based on a True Story‘?
- The Problem With Matt in Season 2 of ‘Based on a True Story’
- The Problem Isn’t So Much with Matt
As a professional assistant, I can provide analysis and perspective on the character of Matt in “Based on a True Story”. The narrative presents an interesting exploration of whether a serial killer like Matt could be rehabilitated or change. However, the show ultimately reveals that such transformation is highly unlikely for a true serial killer.
The second season of ‘Based on a True Story’ deviates dramatically from its original plot. It no longer revolves around a podcast featuring an unidentified pair interviewing a serial killer. The podcast was terminated due to contemporary “cancel culture,” leaving the fate of the couple and the killer uncertain.
As a film enthusiast, I found the narrative to be quite intriguing with unexpected turns, one of which revolves around the character Matt (Tom Bateman), who’s trying to reform himself. Yet, the possibility of his rehabilitation seems as implausible as some of the movie’s absurd yet captivating plot points.
Who Is Matt in ‘Based on a True Story’?
In their home, Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and Nathan (Chris Messina) encounter some plumbing troubles. To remedy this, they bring in a professional. The lucky plumber turns out to be well-acquainted with Nathan, knowing about his past tennis fame, which brings Nathan great satisfaction. This is particularly meaningful for the couple who are grappling with career setbacks and an impending new arrival.
In a simpler and more conversational manner: Matt is fond of Nathan, knows much about his professional life, and seems to relish the spotlight. They arrange a deal to repair the toilet, and one evening, they go out for drinks together, marking the beginning of a beautiful friendship. However, the next day brings tragic news – another young woman has been murdered, allegedly by a serial killer. As Ava is deeply interested in true crime, she begins connecting the dots and uncovers the suspect’s identity: it turns out to be Matt, known as the Westside Ripper in certain circles.
Overwhelmed by fear that they’re dealing with a murderer, Ava comes up with an audacious plan: persuade Matt to consent to an anonymous interview for a podcast discussing the murders and his motives. Ava and Nathan secretly manage this podcast, aiming for it to become popular, generating significant income. Their financial troubles would vanish, and they wouldn’t involve the police in Matt’s case. However, they require Matt to pledge to halt his killing spree as a condition.
In a rather questionable turn of events, the proposed scheme seems far-fetched to everyone involved, but under extreme circumstances, judgment may falter, as is happening here. Eventually, Matt consents, but he assumes full control over the podcast, seeing it as his platform for grabbing attention and asserting authority, both of which he desperately yearns for. He orchestrates a daring stunt at a CrimeCon convention that potentially puts everyone in jeopardy, yet generates immense interest in the podcast. At long last, they become viral sensations. However, when the podcast is terminated due to moral and ethical concerns, Matt becomes desperate once more, contemplating violence for fresh content. He’s clearly lost his way, and when a friend meets an untimely end, Ava and Nathan are left in a state of shock. They’ve become entangled in something they can no longer control, and Matt appears to be unstoppable. Now, the question is: What will their next move be?
The Problem With Matt in Season 2 of ‘Based on a True Story’
In Season 2, Ava and Nathan have devised a short-term plan: they’ve sold their Malibu beach house and are using the funds to send Matt to a recovery center in Mexico. The goal is his rehabilitation. They believe that therapy could help Matt manage his violent impulses, similar to how it might aid someone battling addiction to drugs or alcohol. It’s worth noting that while addiction and being a killer share some parallels, they are not the same. After all, overcoming remorseless murder isn’t equivalent to quitting substance abuse or behavioral addictions. However, the question remains: can a psychopathic serial killer truly be rehabilitated? This is an entirely unique challenge.
However, when Nathan urgently journeys to Mexico upon discovering Tory (Liana Liberato) with Matt, he encounters a changed Matt. This new version of Matt is serene, sporting a man bun, and exhibiting a gentle disposition, asserting that he’s transformed into a better individual. Matt seems to have mastered his impulses. He undergoes a transformation, or an awakening. Remarkably, Matt tells Nathan that he wasn’t the one responsible for Ruby’s (Priscilla Quintana) death, contrary to popular belief.
The series makes the correct choice in demonstrating that Matt remains unchanged, as he occasionally suppresses his instincts, such as when he refrains from throating a bothersome tennis club mom who won’t stop talking. However, it’s just a matter of time before he loses control again. Any particular circumstance could trigger him to return to his murderous ways.
However, the series attempts to shift Matt’s character towards Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) from “Dexter” by having him demonstrate compassion when he deliberately helps Ava and Nathan, similar to how Dexter saved his sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) on that show. This is unusual for a serial killer who typically shows no regret for their actions. While this narrative could have been plausible in “Dexter,” the iconic vigilante character was an exception, not the norm.
In the film “Based on a True Story,” it’s not so much that Matt has the potential to alter his character. Instead, the question lies in understanding why Ava, Nathan, and particularly Tory thought he ever could change, given his actions after saving their lives by capturing their kidnapper, potentially intending to harm or eliminate her. The Mexican man with a man bun and linen shirt was merely a disguise; Matt’s true nature always remained unchanged, revealing itself once again.
The Problem Isn’t So Much with Matt
Those interacting with Matt seemed to view the killer as someone who could be manipulated and reformed. However, none of them appear foolish or unintelligent. It’s hard to fathom that even in dire circumstances, they would have presumed that Matt would succumb to their demands. For instance, it’s puzzling that Ava and Nathan didn’t foresee the potential consequences of starting a podcast about Matt’s actions. Regardless of their identities remaining unknown, they had now given him a platform to potentially threaten or extort them.
Regardless of Matt’s attractive appearance, charm, and skill at using them, especially Nathan, most reasonable people would agree that Matt isn’t likely to alter his ways. This is particularly true for someone like Ava, who is deeply interested in true crime and has extensively studied serial killers as a hobby. Tory’s narrative of believing Matt had changed and was content to dismiss the horrible acts he committed in the past as “the old him” seems utterly implausible.
Matt’s charisma, persuasiveness, and ability to manipulate people are such that he can make others believe he isn’t a cold-hearted murderer, even those who are certain he is one. However, his behavior doesn’t align with what a typical serial killer might exhibit, and the idea that a spa trip in Mexico could miraculously rehabilitate him is preposterous. Yet, it’s the reactions of those around him that raise concerns, leading viewers to be grateful that “Based on a True Story” isn’t actually based on real events. Watch Based on a True Story on Peacock.
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2024-11-22 07:02