In recent years, true crime has become more and more popular, growing to 50% of Americans watching true crime documentaries. Ever since the 1960s, people have started to become more interested in true crime. Each year thousands of people around the world watch a movie or documentary, listen to a podcast or read a book about true crime. Whether it is a murder, kidnapping or arson, thousands of people find themselves captivated by the story. But why do we find comfort in watching, listening to or reading about these stories filled with murder, mystery and mayhem?
One reason that so many people are interested in true crime is because it helps calm some people who have unresolved childhood trauma. In some ways, true crime lets them know that they are not alone. Although it is triggering, some people can empathize with the victim and are interested in seeing the perpetrator receive justice. For some people who have experienced abuse or trauma of any sort, watching true crime tells them that what happened to them was not their fault.
Researchers say that we are fascinated by true crime just the same as a natural disaster or car crash. People want to know more than just the norms of their everyday lives; they want to know who was in the car crash or what the natural disaster destroyed, just like people want to know what happened to the person in a true crime documentary. People find the thought of true crime to be enticing and enjoy the adrenaline rush it gives us. We feel adrenaline when watching a true crime documentary, and that keeps us interested, but the element of fear- the element of being afraid about what’s going to happen- also builds adrenaline.
Thirdly, people want to believe that the justice system works. Not many shows or stories have an ending where the criminal is still loose, it has happened, but not as often in shows. Shows typically end where justice is served and the system works. When watching a true crime documentary, it’s the safety and comfort of knowing that the world is safe and the closure calms people.
We want to avoid being victims ourselves. It’s very slim that we would be kidnapped off the streets, but watching true crime documentaries makes us feel that we will be safe and that we can protect ourselves. Especially for women, 80% of them watch true crime documentaries. Women who watch true crime shows have said that it teaches them to protect themselves from getting kidnapped. Mollie Goodfellow said, “It’s highly likely that most of us know at least one woman who has been the victim of sexual assault, domestic abuse or other gendered violence – and the true crime genre has thrived on this” in the article, I found comfort in grisly true crime stories. Giving them up brought me peace.
While true crime gives people a sense of adrenaline, comforting trauma and fascination, it is also known to have a decline in mental health. For one boy, his father was killed in 1987. Stories were made and his dad’s death was turned into entertainment. Since the crime case was public, it was fair game for any storyteller and film writer. Nobody was concerned about the boy who was struggling with mental health and suicidal ideations who made it through and later wrote a book about his dad from his point of view: ‘Met the End’.
For many people, even just watching true crime shows can strike hypervigilance, searching every corner, the fear of talking to people and never wanting to leave the house, afraid of what might happen. A positive effect is teaching us to be aware of our surroundings, but for some people, it goes further than that and they become too vigilant, and frightened by everyday occurrences.
Stress and anxiety can be caused by hypervigilance as well. While watching a true crime documentary, it is important to take breaks and not to binge-watch the shows. Make sure to ask “How am I?” after watching an episode because some people are more affected than others. If after watching an episode you are overwhelmed, anxious or depressed, stop watching it and talk to somebody who can help.
While many people find comfort in true crime documentaries as a way to learn, it can also be the underlying cause of stress and anxiety. True crime documentaries give thousands of people emotional, psychological, or physical peace. What’s your opinion on true crime?
