In the last 15 years, murder has become infinitely more appealing–nothing encapsulates the saying “morbid fascination” like true crime. Since the 2010s, this genre has spiked in popularity, with 35% of Americans consuming it in some form at least once per week. But what exactly is “true crime”, and why are we as a populus so obsessed with it?
With cases focused on material from organized kidnapping to serial killings, this particular nonfiction genre has caught the attention of millions since its origins hundreds of years ago. True crime is thought to have started out with the 1640 publication of “The Triumphs of God’s Revenge Against the Crying and Execrable Sin of Murther” by John Reynolds, and has since developed into a multi-media phenomenon. Podcasts, particularly, are often associated with true crime, and make up 24% of top-ranking podcasts in the United States, according to a Pew Research Center Study. There were over 20,000 true crime podcasts in 2024, including highly-ranked favorites such as Serial, Small Town Murder, Morbid, and Crime Junkie. More prominently, books (i.e. In Cold Blood and Mindhunter) as well as TV series (Zodiac and The Vow) account for 55% of the way true crime is enjoyed.
Neighboring genres such as horror and mystery can evoke some of the same emotions true crime does: the thrill of the case, psychological deep dives, adrenaline-ridden intrigue, and fear. But unlike the fiction of horror and mystery, the staple of true crime is its truth: it depicts real events that have happened to real people. In this sense, it is quite different from other genres, and that difference is critical to understanding how it impacts our reactions to it.
It’s a natural response to feel your heart pounding after finishing a rattling horror film, and a good way to calm your nerves is by reminding yourself that it’s just fictional. But with true crime, this isn’t possible, since the events it encapsulates are all reality. By getting the chance to feel the high-pressure emotions associated with real, life-threatening situations, we imagine ourselves in those scenarios. And when we get the chance to experience all of the feelings we would in a life-or-death situation from a place of safety and comfort, our bodies get the chance to process fear without having to experience its triggers firsthand.
Watching, listening, and reading to true crime can also give you a better understanding of how to avoid and survive dangerous instances. Hearing from witnesses and knowing exactly why people got hurt can help you recognize what to watch out for, and can even save you from deadly situations. The John Hopkins Newsletter details an “If I Go Missing” trend which started on TikTok and was popularized by the podcast Crime Junkie. People are writing down things such as license plates, the contact information of family and friends, and sampling fingerprints to create folders which would in theory help law enforcement find them if they ever went missing. Police who have observed this trend and seen the theoretical “missing” files are saying, according to WCNC, that these folders could potentially be life-saving.
The ability to feel intense emotions without having to put yourself in physical danger is one of the most captivating parts of true crime, and a large reason people enjoy it. However, there is a fine line between enjoyment and obsession. A small bit of true crime every now and then to educate yourself on real dangers is one thing, but getting consumed by a case ends poorly for everyone involved. Social media posts and mass interference with cases can disrupt the work of detectives and cause strain on those hurt by crimes. When Netflix released its DAHMER–Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, based all on true murders and events, the family of victims was disturbed deeply by living their loved ones’ deaths onscreen. These families were not notified by Netflix that this would be appearing onscreen, and Eric Perry, cousin of Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey, tweeted on X that this series is, “retraumatizing over and over again, and for what?”
As Monster gained popularity, more people who were connected to Dahmers’ victims found themselves scarred, yet the show only rocketed in popularity with many thirsting over Evan Peters’ characterization of Dahmer himself. Another common issue with true crime, television series especially, is casting. Outrage has been in no short supply as vicious criminals are depicted by attractive actors, be it in a show based on real-life such as Monster or in a fictional series like Netflix’s You and Paramount’s Dexter.
Introspectively, addiction to true crime can cause insomnia, panic and paranoia (especially if it is a case that is unfinished or was never solved), and psychological detachment from one’s surroundings. Zencare explains that while true crime can give insight into the justice system and even help one to pick up on danger better, it can also “trick your body into feeling like you’re in danger.” This is because true crime activates the body’s flight-or-fight response and releases stress hormones, which can make things like falling asleep or going about a mundane day seem much more jarring than it actually is.
It is important to remember as well that the victims of true crime are real people, and that their stories are not simply entertainment. A critical component to having a healthy relationship with this genre is by going about the consumption of it with respect. By respecting those involved with cases and avoiding desensitization and binging, it is possible to ensure a safe and healthy relationship with this unique genre.