We’ve all seen the article that has shamed many warning that ‘relaxing while watching true crime is a red flag’. Yeah, I didn’t need that kind of negativity in my life either. I am a true crime binge watcher. Some nights I fall asleep to Forensic Files. It’s Thomas Mitchell’s voice – it’s so soothing.

But it does beg the question of why am I, and so many others, fascinated by the dark side? What is it about it that draws us in and has us hooked? And where does this obsession cross the line into something much darker?

It has to go beyond normal curiosity. Personally, I’ve had violent crimes strike both sides of my family, so it’s possibly a coping mechanism. Something I can relate to since it’s not something my family openly talks about. But is there something more to my obsession? A desire for control? Have I become so determined not to be next? Or is it perhaps that I’ve just learned to embrace chaos – that by watching this four hour documentary I am acknowledging the dangers that I could face.

Whatever it is, I know I am not alone. Millions of others share in the fascination with criminal mind, dark intentions and other taboos.

Justice & Adrenaline

True crime is the closest to real life stories of good versus evil. Add in a jaw dropping, twisted murder mystery and you have half of the viewers hooked. There is a reason why crime sells – it’s fascinating, dangerous and exciting. For those who are watching from the safety of the couch, that is. But where does this obsession stem from?

“Our true crime obsession likely stems from a combined desire for control and for new experiences or stories. Dean Fido, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Derby Online Learning, has said, “whether it’s good or bad, we need something that creates an element of excitement. When we mix this desire with insight and solving a puzzle, it can give us a short, sharp shock of adrenaline, but in a relatively safe environment. Other authors and psychologists say it allows us to feel like we are experiencing something dangerous, without actually being in real danger.”

Dean Fido, Lecturer of Psychology, University of Derby

It could be said that watching true crime can instill a sense of justice in viewers. Seeing good prevail over evil and to see our legal system work in the favor of the people.

Emotional Catharsis

Watching True Crime is a way of facing fears or dangerous situations in a safe and controlled way. It probes the thought of ‘what would I do?’ if I were in their shoes?

Sometimes embracing the darker side of life can help one process difficult emotions and phobias. Siena Roberts of The Criminal Law Practitioner believes that there is a special reason for which why the True Crime genre is most popular with the women.

“Some women—especially victims of crimes—report that true crime media is a healing experience. Other factors that may lead women to choose true crime over other media include the possibility of learning defense tactics, the fact that victims of the crimes are often female and the psychological content of the media.”

Siena Roberts, The Criminal Law Practitioner

Watching true crime has helped me, as a woman, understand the dangers out there. Especially after losing two women in my family to violent men, I have an inner desire to understand how this happens. The psychology. The motivation for the crime: money, lust, or control?What were the red flags? What makes a man want to kill women?

Watching True Crime documentaries about women who have faced trouble and violence has helped me understand bad things that have happened to me. And understand why I check my door six billion times to make sure it’s locked.

True crime can be an emotional catharsis for those facing their fears and need an outlet of media to reflect what cannot always be put into words. Is there a line? Of course. Hollywood has been known to take it too far with reenactments of true crimes – crimes that victims and families are still healing from themselves. But many of the women that I’ve spoken to in the True Crime section of Barnes & Noble all admit that there is something empowering about watching True Crime. We’ve all enjoyed an episode of Snapped.

Women love true crime, and I believe it’s the same reason every girl secretly wishes to be like Olivia Benson, a woman that will let no one destroy her. Empowerment. We as women have the strength and can save ourselves.

Escapism

Books,video games, movies, binging television shows – we all have our way of escaping the every routine and provide a sense of excitement. Some of us find that thrill through true crime media. It’s a mystery that we can solve from our couches. Something to take us away from where we are now. Evidence from criminologists can explain why we sink into the couch and relax with popcorn and the latest true crime documentary.

“Dr. Katherine Ramsland of DeSales University says that we also enjoy true crime partially because of the puzzle or mystery-solving aspect of the genre. Scott Bonn, a criminology professor at Drew University says, “By following an investigation on TV people can play armchair detective and see if they can figure out ‘whodunit’ before law enforcement authorities catch the actual perpetrator” (Roberts).

Podcasts and documentaries have become all the more popular due to streaming platforms like Spotify,Netflix and HBO. True crime has been more accessible. It’s even made its way onto social media platforms such as Tiktok and Snapchat.

It’s unavoidable, and a part of our society.

According to Judith Flanders’ The Invention of Murder the fascination with True Crime actually dates all the way back to the Victorian era, or earlier, a time in which murderers and rapists and other violators of the law were punished publicly. A hanging was social event, something for the people to look forward too. The bodies of hung and autopsied murderers were put on display for the public. William Corder, a murderer from 1880s Suffolk, was put in a museum, and his own skin used to bind the records of his crimes and trials. 7,000 people attended his execution, and the coroner brought out each piece of his body as he harvested his organs. Humans have always been somewhat barbaric.

Now we have Tiktok. Where we anxiously await what Gypsy Rose is going to do next with her freedom from prison.

@gypsyblanchard.tiktok

True crime throws us into a real life mystery – gives us something we can be a part of. A whodunnit we can watch unravel before our eyes. A conspiracy to be thwarted.

Educational

“I swear, Your Honor, I’m a writer….it was for research purposes.” My last words. Never look at a writers search history.

You might learn something you cannot unlearn.

Like Brian Walshe’s attorneys.

Watching true crime can be educational. I’ve learned more about the human body than any psychology and anatomy class ever taught me. Some of the most infamous crimes have shaped human history like the assassination of Ronald Reagan, or the mystery of JonBenet Ramsey. Experts like John Douglas made it possible for us to narrow down the personality characteristics that make up a psychopath.

Experts believe that watching true crime documentaries has also been educational for viewers that want to understand the legal system better. It highlights it’s strengths and weaknesses. It has influenced careers and brought new insight to methods of obtaining information. It has created advocacy through awareness in the viewership of the genre.The true crime obsession has benefited law enforcement practices.

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, this obsession has impacts on the world outside of its media. Some argue that our true crime obsession positively impacts the legal system—it can encourage advocacy and shine a spotlight on cases involving marginalized individuals. But there is a flip side to this as well: with the increased interest in true crime, juries and lay people may have preconceived notions about crime, justice and those who perpetrate crime” (Roberts).

The True crime craze has helped investigators and prosecutors improve where they fall short and can make improvements. Studying these crimes have expanded our understanding of human behaviour and how we must change as a society if we want to change.

From watching true crime, I’ve learned things that have helped me in everyday life, and trivia crack.

Curiosity & Intrigue

Humans are naturally curious and drawn to the unknown, mysterious and taboo. True crime often involves that and more! Complex characters unexpected plot twists and more dilemmas that captivate us and force us to think about the complexities of human nature.

It’s what kept us captivated to our screens the moment Chris Watts was charged with the annihilation of his whole family. It’s what kept internet sleuths up at night, determined to find the identity of the Zodiac Killer. Curiosity. The need to know the unknown.

When True Crime Is Unethical

Where is the line? What makes True Crime unethical? Capitalizing on the suffering of another for the sake of a story is where I would draw the line for true crime media.

One ethical concern pertaining to the genre is the privacy of the victims and their family. Presumptions of thoughts and feelings without consulting the victims.

“A glaring ethical issue present in true crime is the violation of consent and privacy of victims and families. Currently, media companies and influencers don’t require their consent when publishing content. The names, ages, backgrounds, and family details of victims are often laid bare for public consumption. “

Jessica Liu, The Ethics Centre

Recently Netflix subscribers have been captivated by the limited series Baby Reindeer, a true story by Richard Gadd who plays himself in a dramatic retelling of how he was stalked by one of his patrons. Following the release of the series, Gadd had asked fans not to try to find the real Martha. Yet, low and behold, the woman that allegedly stalked Gadd pops up on Piers Morgans’ to hash out the truth of it all. Piers asked her many questions that clearly upset Harvey. Recently press release from Variety.com reveals that Fiona Harvey is now suing Netflix for $170 Million in damages.

Other concerns of the true crime drama is its tendency to over glorify the serial killer – so much so now that it seems as if infamy outweighs fame. Hollywood has taken graphic and violent crimes and brought them to the big screen.

There was backlash and criticisms for the genre following the limited docuseries Monster – the Jeffrey Dahmer story, based on the true crime novelization about the investigation into Dahmer’s victims. The docu series focuses on Dahmer and how he had hid his horrid crimes in his small apartment in Wisconsin, the witnesses of those who shared the apartment building him, watching each young man walk in to meet their demise. The docuseries was graphic and violent. I personally could not finish it – it was very gruesome. And that’s the problem. I understand the gore appeal, being a horror fanatic – but those were real people. Who suffered, and here we are making entertainment out of it when the victims families are still alive. Even as a fan of the genre, I imagine if it had been my family and the crimes that have scarred us, I wouldn’t want to see the graphic detail in which that crime occurred. It generates very little sympathy.

“While some argue that the sympathy generated from productions could help families heal, it is imperative to recognise that individuals process sympathy in different ways. Even if sympathy comes from a well-meaning place, if it is uninvited, it may cause feelings of exposure and stress. Therefore, consent must be mandated to end the unethical violation of principles for monetary gain”(Liu, Centre of Ethics).

These ethics were questioned again when prior to Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s release from prison, Hulu released The Act, a limited series on her life and the events that lead up to the murder of her mother Deedee Blanchard. Gypsy Rose Blanchard did not give permission and received no profit from the series. The producers hardly consulted her on the actual events and many were dramatized and speculated for viewership rather than accuracy. However, the producers did consult Nicholas Godejohn, the co conspirator to the crime.

The question is: Are we taking it too far? Yes. It’s one thing to be curious about the details of a crime and explore the facts. It’s another to capitalize on someone else’s suffering and trauma. If one wants to get more information or draw awareness, it should be done respectfully and with permission. Give the right people the chance to be heard, those involved. A documentary is more respectable than a Hollywood re-enactment.

Conclusion

There is nothing wrong with watching true crime or being interested in the genre- however, watching too much of anything can be unhealthy, especially if the subject matter is morbid. Even as an avid horror and true crime fan, I have to throw something on to lighten the mood.

The point of True Crime I believe above all else is educational. Empowering. Advocating. Can it be entertaining? Absolutely. But there’s a line.

It’s important to remember that these were real people. You the reader, a real person (unless you’re AI analyzing my article), and your mental health matters. Watch at your leisure, take care of your mental health and be weird. We become the energy we surround ourselves with, and while it’s a good sign of growth to be able to embrace the dark aspects in life, it’s important to remember that there is good too.

Don’t let the internet, or even me, shame you for embracing the darkness. There is no light, without the dark.

Sources

Jared, Scott. “Why Are We Fascinated by True Crime?” The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joshua McCormack, 25 Jan. 2024, http://www.unc.edu/posts/2024/01/11/why-are-we-fascinated-by-true-crime/#:~:text=The%20fascination%20with%20true%20crime,solving%20a%20real%2Dlife%20whodunnit.

Roberts, Siena. “Why Do We Love True Crime? The Phenomenon behind Our Obsession.” Criminal Law Practitioner, American University Washington College of Law, 16 Oct. 2023, http://www.crimlawpractitioner.org/post/why-do-we-love-true-crime-the-phenomenon-behind-our-obsession#:~:text=Our%20true%20crime%20obsession%20likely,creates%20an%20element%20of%20excitement.