Whenever I find myself struggling to fall asleep late at night, I tend to turn to YouTube and its depthless library of entertainment. Ranging from investigative journalism to fanfictions of the most obscure TV shows, the algorithm knows what will keep our eyes glued to the screen. One such genre that has captivated millions of people is true crime. Entertainment companies have taken notice of the cult-like following that true crime has and have capitalized on it with a multitude of movies and TV shows centered around infamous serial killers. However, lost amidst our self-centered need for temporary entertainment is the lasting pain that family members of victims still feel to this day.

Human fascination with crime and punishment is not something new. Take for example the Middle Ages; public executions were commonplace, and the public rarely hesitated to spectate enthusiastically. The trial and execution of criminals was a spectacle that one couldn’t just turn away from, and even after death, those criminals still served as a source of entertainment in the form of harrowing stories and cautionary tales. However, not only were people fascinated with the punishment of crime, they also found functional value in spreading the tragedy that has befallen violent criminals since it also served as a deterrent to would-be criminals. True crime is merely the modern version of the cautionary tales of crime and violence that were shared from ages ago. Having lasted for this long, what exactly makes these stories so captivating?

True crime manages to appeal to viewers both on a biological and logical level. Through the gruesome details of its violent character, true crime is capable of inducing a rush of adrenaline akin to amusement park rides and horror movies. The brain also produces dopamine and serotonin, ultimately creating a cocktail of chemicals that creates undeniable enjoyment. Moreover, fans of true crime are able to “experience” the events surrounding actual crime while they remain safe in the comforts of their own home. Some people watch true crime because they think it gives them a better idea of what to do in the unlikely event that they find themselves in a similar situation. The combination of intense physical excitement caused by adrenaline rush, pure ecstasy produced by dopamine and serotonin, and guaranteed safety makes true crime truly captivating, if not outright addictive. 

However, the abundance of true crime media has blinded people to the reality behind the stories they mindlessly consume. To some fans, true crime is just something that either gives them their hit of adrenaline or allows them to live their fantasy as internet sleuths. Acknowledging the evil committed by the murderers and the pain and suffering inflicted on the families of the victims has taken second place to mere entertainment. The anonymity made possible by the internet has allowed people to be more bold in their glorification of evil incarnate, and for trivial reasons at that. The reception of the recent Ted Bundy movie and Jeffrey Dahmer TV show are prime examples of how a scary number of true crime fans are not ashamed of edifying proven serial killers.

Another aspect that most true crime fans fail to acknowledge is the trauma that the families of victims are forced to relive every single time a portrayal of these murderers goes viral for all the wrong reasons. It’s simply unimaginable how they must feel when those who murdered their loved ones in cold blood are shown support by thousands of people simply because those murderers were conventionally attractive. Die-hard fans of true crime have consumed so much of the product that a lot of them have become desensitized and have begun to think of these stories as of fiction when, ironically, one of the main appeals of the genre is the reality of the tragedies one can now bear witness to.

True crime will always have a place in our society because they are cautionary tales that serve both as a deterrent to crime and (somewhat of a) guide to susceptible victims. However, the attitude of die-hard fans in recent times has taken a wrong direction. Instead of being considered as cautionary tales, some have begun to view true crime as a monument commemorating the “greatness” of renowned murderers. It turns out that it is not only violent crime that should be a cause for worry, but also the collective attitude of a society toward violence that should be taken heed of.