Whether you want to admit it or not, true crime is something that captures your interest. The obsession people have with true crime has significantly increased throughout the years. Although it may seem a bit twisted to be interested in such a gruesome subject, there is something about true crime that just captures the attention of the audience and keeps them wanting more and more. But exactly what is it that interests us in these heinous crimes?
From a personal perspective, what captures my interest is the fact that I cannot wrap my head around someone being so sick that it makes them take the life of an innocent person. No matter how much I say I "hate" my friends for lying to me or for hurting me, the idea of taking their life will never cross my mind. I believe that the main reason as to why I keep watching these series and listening to these podcasts is to have a better understanding of how someone can be so sick to commit such horrible crimes. I believe that if I continue to watch and to listen to these stories, I will be able to understand why these people are the way that they are.
It seems that there are endless amounts of series, documentaries, movies, and podcasts that are strictly about true crimes. Typically series, documentaries, and movies take on a more serious tone towards the subject. Podcasters have the decision to deliver the stories any way they would like. American comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host of "My Favorite Murder," add humor to the subject making it easier to listen to all the horrific details. While they constantly repeat that they don't mean to disrespect anyone, they make the mood a bit lighter.
Netflix and Hulu have provided their viewers with some of the best series. They have shown us that when it comes to true crimes series, they know what they are doing. Some of Netflix's most successful series have been "Making a Murderer," "Amanda Knox," "Abducted in Plain Sight," and its most recent true crime "Conversations with a killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes," which was released on the 30th anniversary of the murderer's execution. Hulu's current true crime series "The Act," has captured the attention of Americans more because of the extremes that a mother will go to, like lying about their child's age and medical conditions, to protect their child, rather than the killing.
The adrenaline that pumps through our veins at the news of a new true crimes series is what gets you through yet another grisly series. It is the same feeling you experience when you are riding a roller coaster or when you were watching a scary movie when you were a little kid.
Although true crime is not something for everyone, I do believe that it is important for people to be aware of what someone is capable of doing. I can honestly say that because I watch and listen to true crime stories it has made me more aware of my surroundings.