Why are stories about serial killers so captivating? Sociologists from HSE University in Russia have explored this question, revealing that audiences engage with this genre not to glorify violence but to experience intense emotions and gain a deeper understanding of criminal behavior.
Their findings, published in Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal, suggest that consuming such content is driven by curiosity and emotional fulfillment rather than an increased propensity for aggression.
A Global Fascination: Is It Good or Bad?
Content about serial killers has become a global phenomenon, spanning films, true crime documentaries, podcasts, and social media posts. Content ranging from hit Netflix shows like “Dahmer” and “Monsters: the Lyle and Eric Menendez Story,” to documentaries about the unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey or the Zodiac killer show the global appetite for the engaging personalities of serial killers and the continuous stream of new theories for solving unsolved cases.
Sociologists have described such narratives as entertainment that allows audiences to experience intense emotions, which may help people temporarily escape their problems.
While these perspectives underline the genre’s popularity, concerns persist that an obsession with violent content might lead to real-world aggression, among other issues such as the potential for glorification and the risks of giving criminals a platform. While such media often aims to educate or entertain, it can inadvertently portray serial killers in a sensationalized or even sympathetic light, risking the romanticization of their actions. This becomes particularly concerning when stories focus excessively on the killers’ lives, motives, or charisma while sidelining the victims and their families.
Additionally, providing a platform for these narratives may inadvertently fuel public fascination with violent acts, creating a culture where notoriety is celebrated. Balancing the public’s interest in understanding criminal behavior with the need to respect victims and avoid glamorizing violence requires careful storytelling and ethical considerations in the creation and dissemination of true crime media.
To address this, HSE researchers conducted an in-depth study of young adults in Russia to understand their motives for consuming true crime content.
The research involved interviews with 26 individuals aged 18 to 36 from 14 cities across Russia. These respondents were fans of various crime-related media, including fictional TV series, documentaries, true crime podcasts, books, and social media posts.
The study aimed to uncover why people are drawn to this type of content, focusing on the psychological and emotional drivers behind their interest rather than the potential impact on behavior.
The researchers identified two primary motives driving interest in serial killer content: cognitive and emotional. On the cognitive side, many respondents were drawn to such media to understand better the psychological and social factors that drive individuals to commit crimes. By examining links between criminal behavior and influences like childhood trauma or mental health issues, they sought insights into the complexities of human behavior.
On the emotional side, others turned to this content to experience intense emotions, often compensating for a lack of excitement or stimulation in their everyday lives.
Reframing True Crime
The study underscores that the consumption of serial killer content is typically driven by curiosity and the search for emotional experiences. Far from fostering violence, this interest provides a safe space for exploring intense emotions and understanding criminal psychology.
“Interest in stories about serial killers, whether in the form of series or podcasts, is not a sublimation of cruelty. The respondents did not justify the actions of serial killers. On the contrary, they stated that such crimes should be prevented,” Oksana Mikhailova, Research Fellow at the Centre for Modern Childhood Research at HSE’s Institute of Education, said in a recent statement.
The researchers suggest these findings could be valuable for psychologists and educators. Developing support programs for young people experiencing emotional hunger or stress might address the underlying reasons for their fascination with crime stories, helping them find healthier ways to fulfill these needs.
By reframing the conversation around crime content, this research challenges the notion that consuming violent narratives leads to harmful behavior. Instead, it highlights the human need for understanding, connection, and emotional engagement in navigating a complex world.
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Science Communicator at JILA (a world-leading physics research institute) and a science writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with her on BlueSky or contact her via email at kenna@thedebrief.org