There's Something Obsessive About True Crime

Why are we so obsessed with watching true crime?

Lucy Bower
9th March 2022
Credit: IMDb
Across the sphere of media, it’s almost impossible to avoid the smash hit genre that is unlike no other: true crime.

True crime is a nonfiction genre that explores - well - true crime, and it mainly covers the big guys such as murderers, serial killers, rapists, and so on. In fact, it’s believed that 40% of true crime documentaries focus on serial killers.

The rise of streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube are giving this type of documentary a spotlight on the global stage, but what is fueling our obsession with this genre? And is there something unnerving about our obsession with other people’s pain?

Credit: IMDb, Making a Murderer (2015-18) on Netflix is part of the true crime genre.

Well, perhaps it isn’t as new an obsession as we might think. Throwing it all the way back to our ancestors in Anglo-Saxon England, throughout history people would actively go out to watch hangings. The stories of Jack the Ripper have circulated around the nation since the 19th century. So, there is clearly something innate within our human nature that fuses both a fascination and disgust at crime. The problem is, this type of programme gives us the impression that crime is prevalent more now than ever, but that isn’t necessarily the case. 

Psychologist Dr Chivonna Childs, PhD explains that “true crime appeals to us because we get a glimpse into the mind of a real person who has committed a heinous act.” In other words, we are curious about the minds of those despicable people and want to know how to protect ourselves from them. Interestingly, women are disproportionately more likely to make up the audience of these shows. This is a sad fact, and is probably because women will believe that they can learn valuable insight as they often see themselves at the centre of the genre. 

There is something innate within our human nature that fuses both a fascination and disgust at crime.

There is evidence, however, to suggest that this interest can have a direct impact on our mental health. We need to remember that these crimes have made it to TV status due to their shock factor, but watching them may lead to paranoia, anxiety, and nightmares.

Others express their concern that watching frequent stories of the extreme may create a society that is deemed insensitive. There could be fears of perpetuation as violent acts are less likely to create a psychological response, as well as giving us ideas of how to act violently in situations. However, it would be ridiculous to say that people watch shows like The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019) and suddenly turn into a serial killer. Instead, professionals claim that people like to analyse the psychological differences between themselves and the attacker. Basically, we like to be reassured that we won’t turn into the bad guy.  

Credit: IMDb. Watching Conversations with a killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes won't turn you into a killer.

Perhaps then, our obsession with true crime should be less of a serial obsession and more of an occasional guilty pleasure. Oh, and maybe don’t watch them alone in the middle of the night.

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