Who’s To Blame For the Media’s Romanticization of Serial Killers?

In the past few years, I’ve noticed an abundance of documentaries, movies, and docuseries about serial killers. Every time I open Netflix, it seems like I’m shown the trailer for a series or movie about Jeffrey Dhamer, Ted Bundy, Richard Ramirez, or John Wayne Gacy. But, the list doesn’t stop there. Each serial killer has productions made about them, their life, and their victims. Personally, I’m not interested in hearing about the atrocities that a privileged white man committed. Mostly because I find it disturbing how long it takes these killers to be caught, but also because I scare easily—I’d get nightmares for weeks. 

However, many Americans are not like me. They watch these movies and shows with ease and hang on to every detail. In a survey of 1,000 people, 58% of respondents said they regularly enjoyed true crime content. 92% of these people said they mostly consumed true crime through television shows. In a singular year, the average crime junkie watches 84 episodes of crime-related TV, reads 44 chapters in true crime books, listens to 33.6 episodes of true crime podcasts, and watches 20.4 true crime movies. All in all, it’s obvious that Americans find interest in murder—or, at least through their TV screen. 

While I understand that there’s a certain fascination behind how a psychopath’s mind works, I find it unsettling how the topic hasn’t been exhausted. From the start of cinema, there have been dozens and dozens of movies made specifically about serial killers, both real and fictional. The production of these movies and TV shows never bothered me until Ted Bundy was played by both Zac Efron and Chad Michael Murray in two different movies. Then, more recently, Jeffrey Dahmer was played by Ross Lynch in a movie and Evan Peters in a docuseries. There’s a common denominator in all these actors: they’re hot. Now, that’s not personal opinion; that’s a common thought shared by the American public.

As a result, the killers these men play have been glorified in the media. In 2019, InStyle wrote an article entitled: “It's Actually Okay if You're Attracted to Zac Efron as a Serial Killer.” The article discusses that being attracted to Zac Efron’s screen presence doesn’t mean you’re psycho, rather you think Efron is hot and don’t know Ted Bundy in real life. From his portrayal in Extremely Wicked; Shockingly Evil and Vile, he may seem even charming. However, that is how Bundy was described by many. He was able to kill more than 25 girls and young women between 1974 to 1978. Bundy could hide his psycho tendencies on the outside; he presented himself as flirty and clean-cut. Both Chad Michael Murray and Zac Efron brought these characteristics to life on screen; it made many women almost romanticize Bundy. Since Gen Z was not affected by his 1970s killings, they’ve been rather indifferent to the emotions of Bundy’s victims’ families. 

In the media, it is not uncommon to read tweets or posts about how Michael Murray or Efron made women attracted to serial killers. However, how do these posts settle with the families of Bundy’s victims? Bundy successfully went on a killing spree because, at the time, a tidy-looking white man was never the killer. His privilege allowed him to trek cross-country killing, raping, and torturing women. If you read details about his crimes and are still attracted to him, maybe you should contact a psychologist. Bundy was a sadist, and it was more than obvious in the way he conducted his killings. Out of all the fish in the sea, there are plenty of normal, non-killers. Please choose one and stop making the victims' families relive Bundy’s atrocities. 

Recently, controversy arose after Netflix released Dhamer–Monster: the Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The docuseries stars Evan Peters as Dahmer. Now, if you’re aware of Dahmer and his crimes, it is likely you find him repulsive. Or, at least, you should. Dahmer was a cannibal who killed 17 young men and boys between 1978 to 1991. While Bundy was said to be charming and clean-cut, Dahmer was reportedly just the opposite. His school teacher said he was “shy and profoundly unhappy.” Dahmer would go on bike rides to search for road kill. Then, he’d cut open the animals and manipulate their organs. Martha Schmidt, a sociology professor at Capital University who knew Dhamer in high school, said, “His behavior was always on the edge. He seemed to cry out for help, but nobody paid any attention to him at all.” 

Not only did Dahmer act more unhinged than Bundy, but he looked it as well. He dressed awkwardly and wore big, thick-rimmed glasses. Now, there is a certain hotness in being nerdy, but not in Dahmer’s case. A man involved with necrophilia and the cannibalism of young men does not deserve the romanticization he is currently receiving in the media. 

All in all, it may not be Gen Z’s fault for glorifying these killers. Directors keep casting stereotypically attractive men to play them. Maybe Hollywood figures these actors make the killers’ stories more digestible. But do they need to be digestible? In reality, everyone should be disgusted by the atrocities these killers committed. The victims’ families do not need to read about how you’d “fold” for Bundy or Dahmer. Not only is it disrespectful, but it’s really, really weird. I know the bar is low, but come on, serial killers? 

Strike Out, 

Bella Kubach 

Boca Raton

Bella Kubach is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Most of her free time is occupied by buying things she doesn’t need, reading her horoscope religiously, and making an endless amount of Spotify playlists. You can reach her at bellakubachxox@gmail.com