There seem to be two types of people: those who are revolted by true crime media and those who watch murder documentaries as if they were a gift from God. I fall into the latter category.
As one of the most chilling forms of media on the internet, true crime documents acts of insanity with detailed information of gore and drama. Some of the most famous modern true crime stories include Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s case and the Slenderman stabbing, both of which amassed over 30 million views on ABC’s 20/20 series. Several streaming platforms such as Netflix offer true crime series such as “Dahmer,” a show that has developed a cult-like fanbase and surpassed even hits like “Stranger Things” in viewership.
So why do viewers like true crime so much?
In watching these shows for roughly three hours a week, I become instantly engrossed in the dramatic atmosphere of the crime, my eyes attached to the screen. Eerie music and sound effects accompany the story as the motives of the perpetrators are laid out, sometimes even leading me to feel sympathy for notorious figures like serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer over his daddy issues.
Nearing the end, my adrenaline shoots through the roof when security footage of the culprit is shown as they indulge in the killing of the victim, and I have to take a minute to recite a peaceful mantra to calm myself. Even after nearly having a hernia over the story, I click on the next video and repeat the process all over again.
Given the creepy nature of true crime, I’ve found an explanation as to why I enjoy it so much: the psychology behind it. According to the article “What’s the Deal with the True Crime Obsession?,” watching or listening to these stories gives us a jolt of adrenaline without being in actual danger, similar to the thrill of a rollercoaster. Because true crime is easily accessible on sites like YouTube, fans of the genre can conveniently experience these highs from the comfort of their own home. As we learn about the motivations behind the crimes, we resonate with the human emotions behind these narratives.
Writing for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s website, Patricia Bryan, co-author of “Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America’s Heartland,” said, “People like to be scared or like to see the dark recesses of someone’s mind. Some people would say it helps us prepare for the violence in our own lives.”
With that being said, here are my recommendations for true crime stories you MUST tune into.
- The Idaho Murders (2022): This one explores how 4 college students were brutally murdered in the same home, and contains a line by line narration of the whereabouts of all the students leading up to the attack, making an enthralling watch. My favorite coverage of this event is the documentary-episode “The Night of the Idaho Student Murders,” which can be found on YouTube.
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard (2015): Jailbird turned social media icon Gypsy Rose made headlines worldwide. Her story is about childhood abuse, which slowly led her to commit an unimaginable crime. While this has been covered innumerable times, a timeless documentary on the subject is “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” which can be found on HBO Max.
- The Slenderman stabbings (2014): Two middle school girls took it upon themselves to stab their friend more than 20 times during a sleepover, saying that they were possessed by Slenderman. ABC’s 20/20 series has a heart palpitating episode about this called “The Wicked,” which is available on their website.
If you’re looking for a boost of adrenaline or some spice in your life, look no further than a dose of true crime at 3 a.m. But if you’re easily spooked, beware of one potential downside — it might keep you up at night.
