Why do people like to watch and listen to stories about serial killers, maniacs and terrible crimes so much?

The list of the most talked about series of recent years would definitely not be complete without The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Mindhunter released for Netflix. The Russian version of such a top would include "Fisher”,“ Frozen Earth ”and“ Chikatilo ”.

Podcast lovers most likely noticed that from the Yandex Music chart do not disappear "The Diaries of Laura Palna" and "The Hills Have a Podcast", and in the American Spotify and Apple Podcasts on the first lines holding on CounterClock is the project of investigative journalist Delia D'Ambra.

All of these shows belong to the same genre, true-crime, which is obviously at the peak of its popularity right now. Let's try to figure out why the gloomy stories about murderers and rapists gather such a huge audience.

What is true-crime and when did it originate

True-crime is a genre in which the author explores or tells the story of a real-life crime. Most often, high-profile cases related to violent crimes and serial killers are in the focus of attention.

The term “true-crime” itself is relatively new, but works about true crimes cannot be called a product of modern popular culture. Professor Joy Wiltenburg thinksthat the roots of the genre go back to the 16th century, and cites as an example European pamphlets and engravings that tell in detail about brutal murders and torture. Such sensational publications quickly spread throughout the cities and aroused great interest not so much among the common people as among the educated and wealthy sections of society.

Writer Harold Schechter notesthat the Newgate Calendar published in the 17th-19th centuries was not inferior in popularity to the Bible. In that publication it was possible to find biographies of prisoners sentenced to death and descriptions of their crimes.

The first modern example of a true-crime novel is often referred to as "cold blooded murder» Truman Capote. The book, published in 1966, became an instant bestseller and made the writer famous. There are many similar examples from different eras. It seems that people have always been fascinated by murder stories, and if Netflix existed a couple of centuries ago, then the true-crime section would certainly be one of the most visited in it.

Why so many people like True Crime

There are several reasons for the interest in murder and crime stories.

True Crime lets you experience the thrill

True Crime consumption can be compared to a rollercoaster ride: we get intense emotions that are lacking in ordinary life, but we do it in a controlled and safe environment. After watching a tense series or listening to a podcast about a maniac in the body produced dopamine and adrenalin. Thanks to the body's natural response to danger, we experience pleasure without risking our lives.

True Crime helps you know what to do in dangerous situations

True Crime's main audience is women. According to statisticsthey are significantly more likely to read books and listen to crime podcasts. They are especially attracted to stories in which the victims were also women. Psychologists at the University of Illinois suggestthat such preferences can be explained by conscious and unconscious fear of being in the same place victims. By studying the stories of real-life murders and rapes, women learn how to recognize a potential perpetrator and act in an extreme situation. So content that, it would seem, should cause anxiety, on the contrary, helps to calm down and cope with fear.

Psychologist Coltan Scrivner compares passion for true-crime with strategies for the survival of wild animals: zebras and gazelles do not try to avoid meeting predators every time, but often watch them from a safe distance. Animals use knowledge about the behavior of lions and tigers to protect themselves and their relatives.

True Crime Satisfies Natural Curiosity

People are attracted and fascinated by everything forbidden, and murder is fundamental taboo. True Crime gives you the opportunity to get close to a closed topic and satisfy your interest in a safe way.

The curiosity is further enhanced by the fact that the source of evil in this genre is not a fantastic creature, but an ordinary person who can be found on the street. Naturally, I want to look into the criminal's head and understand why he did terrible things.

True Crime allows you to relax and calm down

True-crime is different from traditional fiction detectives the fact that the viewer often knows in advance the ending and some details of the story, since before that it was most likely widely covered in the media. But such spoilers don't make the series or podcast less interesting. On the contrary, I want to follow the development of the plot even more carefully in order to fully assemble the puzzle in my head, check my own guesses and find out how the investigators unraveled the tangle. Such a game of detective is great to distract from problems.

At the same time, scary stories not only arouse excitement and curiosity, but can console and calm.

Firstly, if a real crime is told on the screen, then, most likely, the criminal has already been found and received what he deserved. So, at the end of the series or movie, justice will surely prevail. Calling the ending of any true-crime a happy one does not turn the tongue, but nevertheless, its ending gives the viewer the belief that evil does not go unpunished. It turns out such an instructive tale, but for adults.

Secondly, true-crime works have a clear and predictable structure. Therefore, for many, the next series or podcast about a maniac is the perfect way to relax, the same as a Harry Potter marathon on vacation and watching your favorite episodes "Friends». Returning to a well-known plot over and over again, a fan of the genre gains a sense of stability and security.

Why True Crime Is Criticized

The popularity of killer stories is a cause for concern for many. And this is not a blind desire to remove violence from the screens, but a reasonable point of view.

True Crime exploits the victims

Series about maniacs could be considered harmless escapist entertainment, if not for one thing: they are all based on stories about real people who had to go through terrible events. The victims would like to erase this traumatic experience from their memory, but it is reproduced on the screen, broadcast to an audience of millions and turned into memes. Do all true-crime authors respect the memory of the victims, consult with their loved ones, and do not try to exaggerate and distort the story for the sake of more views? Perhaps the question is rhetorical.

True Crime romanticizes criminals

Killers and rapists become real stars. For example, after the success of the series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, stores began offering customers glasses “like Jeffrey”, his image was repeated by many on Halloween, and thousands of fan videos with the character of Evan appeared on social networks. Peters.

In many ways, such popularity of Dahmer and other killers is due to the fact that the authors of many true-crime films and TV shows strive to make their characters more vivid and memorable. Attractive actors are often invited to play the roles of criminals, and episodes are added to the scripts that tell about the difficult past of the killers and explain the reasons for their actions. And now they are already beginning to seem more human, deep and even charming. Such artificially created images make one forget that all crimes were the personal choice of the killers, and their victims deserve sympathy and compassion in the first place.

How True Crime Affects Mental Health

To begin with, let's say that there is nothing wrong or unhealthy in love for true-crime. Excitedly watching serials about maniacs is as normal as rom-coms or anime.

But in everything it is worth knowing the measure. Specialists from the Cleveland Clinic considerthat the constant consumption of killer stories can cause anxiety and make you feel unsafe even within the walls of your own home. To prevent this from happening, psychologists advise you to carefully listen to your feelings.

If you feel that true-crime series brings you more negative emotions and spoils your mood, and your body begins to unpleasant symptoms appear, such as overexertion or palpitations, it is better to postpone viewing or listening. Instead, temporarily switch to a lighter and relaxing content.

What to watch, listen to and read in true-crime genre: advice from Lifehacker employees

In our editorial office there were many true-crime fans. Here are some projects they love themselves and can recommend to others.

1. Faust21century

YouTube channel of psychiatrist Vasily Beinarovich about the psychopathology of criminals.

2. Jack Crimer

YouTube channel about the investigations of terrible murders from around the world.

3. Interrogation from Richard

YouTube channel where they analyze the interrogations of criminals.

4. Route 161

Multi-episode true-crime podcast of the magazine "Cold".

5. Affairs

Crime podcast about real crimes, high-profile cases and the fate of people involved in them.

6. 5:32

Kazakh a detective series based on real cases about maniacs operating in the 90s.

7. Here is such a thing

Podcast, where they talk about disturbing and terrible crimes with a share of sarcasm.

8. The killer sits opposite. How the FBI exposes serial killers and maniacs

Bookbased on the true stories of four serial killers.

Seven more interesting true-crime books can be found in this compilation.