Freeway Killer

William Bonin, a Vietnam veteran and delivery driver, forms a murderous partnership with Vernon Butts. They begin a string of brutal killings in Orange County. The violence marks the start of their long-running crime spree before they relocate to Los Angeles.

By 1980, the bond between Bonin and Vern has grown strained. Bonin begins grooming a new accomplice, Kyle Peterson, drawing him into the murders with tales from the Vietnam era and a survivalist philosophy.

Bonin shows Kyle pictures of the victims and pressures him into participating. Kyle becomes enthralled by Bonin's control and the power he imagines in these acts.

Under Bonin's tutelage, Kyle grows more confident and assertive. He earns a promotion at work and rekindles his relationship, while Vern grows envious of Kyle's closeness to Bonin.

Vern questions Bonin's claimed combat history, triggering a confrontation. Kyle pressures Bonin to kill Vern, but Bonin fails to go through with it and tends to Vern's self-inflicted wound after Vern cuts himself in front of them.

Feeling isolated, Bonin forces a younger boy named Billy Pugh to help murder a hitchhiking boy named Alex. Billy is sickened by the act and runs away, leaving Bonin to panic.

Kyle and Vern stop answering Bonin's calls, leaving him isolated. He confronts Kyle in person and tries to persuade him to commit a Freeway Killer copycat crime to mislead investigators.

Despite continued pressure, Bonin attempts another murder and is caught in the act by a police taskforce led by Detective St. John.

After Bonin's capture, Vern hangs himself in prison. Kyle and Billy are turned in by Bonin.

Bonin is sentenced to death. He refuses to allow mitigating evidence from psychiatric reports or family history to be presented, wanting to spare his mother from public scrutiny.

While on death row, Bonin confesses to further murders in exchange for privileges like fast food and small favors.

Bonin meets Ruth Slobod, a grieving mother who believes her son was murdered by him. He strings her along for years to manipulate her into seeking a possible commutation.

Ruth vows to attend his execution to witness his end, and Bonin mocks her, telling her to watch the eyes because that is where it all happens.

Bonin is executed by lethal injection in 1996. An intertitle notes that his remains were cremated and scattered over the Pacific.