Macabre Capitalism: The Profitable World of Serial Killer Media
"Images literally assault the spectator, leaving him or her no space for reflection . . ." (Schmid, 2005)
In the last few decades, there has been a growth in media depictions of macabre capitalism. It seems that serial killers are the current obsession with streaming services, literature, and film. This has spawned a lucrative business centered on sensationalized accounts of these killers, but why is this so appealing to the public? People are interested in stories about serial killers for a variety of reasons, including a morbid curiosity regarding the motivations behind such crimes and a fascination with the darker side of human nature.
The media has turned the niche market of serial killers from a source of interest and fear for many into a lucrative and rapidly expanding business. The popularity of media depicting the most infamous serial killers, such as books, movies, and podcasts, continues to rise. With the era of streaming, there now is an unprecedented level of access to media, including serial killer content seemingly spewing out of thin air.
The Streaming Era
The streaming era has created a significant impact on our culture and its fascination with - killers.
In a flash, you can access an almost unlimited library of material. This opens exciting opportunities for us to discover new worlds, literary forms, and stories to enjoy, but it also exposes us to risks. The disturbing and perhaps glamorized media attention given to serial killers has piqued a heightened interest in the psychology of these offenders. From a pool of 2,103 respondents “Data gathered from U.S. media consumers between December 2019 and January 2020, Millennials had an average of 17 paid media and entertainment subscriptions each. Gen Z and Gen X also had more subscriptions than the total average” (Statista,2022)
"The Silence of the Lambs’ box-office success helped pave the way for a new horror sub-genre, the high-class serial killer movie” (Schmid, 2005)
Media centered on serial killers has become a successful industry thanks to the proliferation of accessible media like true crime documentaries and blockbuster films. Streaming providers have adjusted their algorithms to profit from the public's fascination with serial killers, so viewers may watch an entire five-part documentary series or horror film based on a real killer in a single sitting. This infatuation, however, has consequences that must not be ignored. There might be negative societal effects from using victims' stories for financial gain or to elevate the status of the perpetrators. The effects of this media on us, as well as the moral questions raised by its mass creation, must be understood.
We know this is due in large part to the fundamental characteristics of a capitalist system that grows stronger as it attracts more customers and media coverage. So, there have been recent discussions over whether or not this kind of media coverage is helpful in making sense of such complicated issues.
From killer to icon
While simultaneously vilified and glorified, there is a fascination with serial killers
The media has created a market for serial killer memorabilia, with items ranging from art prints and collectible coins to t-shirts and figurines. The profits become even more substantial when it comes to books and films. True crime documentaries, TV series, and films have become some of the most profitable genres in the entertainment industry. This is done by providing more in-depth and graphic coverage of the cases, which ultimately increases their profits.
With the help of economic opportunity corporations, there is a fabricated distorted view of serial killers. Many view them as celebrities, even though they are responsible for some of the most heinous crimes imaginable. This is a danger that comes with the exploitation of these stories for profit, as it can lead to a warped sense of reality. “Hollywood has also glamorized these stories for years. Charlize Theron's chilling portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in ‘Monster’ resulted in no fewer than seventeen awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actress.” (Bonn, 2014)
It's tempting to follow the lead of many film critics and say that the profound influence of the film star image in modern popular culture can be clarified through the lens of wish-fulfillment or imitation when considering the dynamic between the audience and the film star. "In his classic early study of stardom, Edgar Morin argues that “the spectator psychically lives the exciting, intense, amorous, imaginary life of the movie heroes, i.e., identifies himself with them” (95). In other words, one could argue that audiences identify with film stars and serial killers in the sense of wanting to be like them and that these figures, therefore, reflect the desires of their audience." (Schmid, 2005)
What about the victim’s family?
It is not uncommon for news reports and documentaries to focus on the details of the killer's actions, rather than on the victims or their families. This form of media coverage can be extremely damaging to those affected by crime as it can lead to feelings of re-traumatization, anger, and frustration. We must be mindful when reporting and discussing these stories, as our words have a great power to shape how victims are remembered. We must strive to ensure that such stories are reported with sensitivity, respect, and dignity toward those who were affected by them.
In 2022 Evan Peters was awarded a Golden Globe award for his portrayal in the highly popular and sensationalized online show ‘Dahmer’, which Shirley Holmes, who is the mother of Dahmer's victim Tony Hughes suggests was a dangerous win. According to Guardian, Hughes has “condemned the recently released Netflix series about the serial killer who took her son’s life, saying she doesn’t understand how the television show could be made.” (The Guardian, 2022)
Conclusion
In a society where the media is constantly seeking higher ratings and increased profits, it is no surprise that the macabre capitalism of serial killer media has become so profitable.
This begs the question, why are serial killers such a popular topic of interest? It may be argued that the stigma associated with discussing serial murder and the catharsis gained from witnessing the capture and conviction of a serial killer both contribute to the topic's popularity. One may also argue that the sensationalized accounts of these killers are appealing because they provide readers with both an escape from everyday life and a look at the shadowy side of human nature.
"The existence of famous serial killers in contemporary American culture brings together two defining features of American modernity: stardom and violence. Not surprisingly, therefore, film is unique among popular cultural media in its potential to shed light on the reasons why we have celebrity serial killers because it is a medium defined by the representation of acts of violence and by the presence of stars." (Schmid, 2005)
It's crucial to keep in mind that, behind the sensationalized stories, there are genuine victims whose lives have been impacted forever, making the tendency of the media to focus on macabre capitalism surrounding serial killers all the more troubling. Streaming platforms should be held liable for the material they make available, and viewers should be made aware of the toll their viewing habits take on victims and their loved ones. Before the media market for serial killers grows even larger, it is important to prevent its monetization. There's something about these stories that fascinate viewers, whether it's a fascination with the sinister side of humanity or a morbid curiosity about what motivates murder.
Works Cited
Statista. (2022, September 2). Entertainment subscriptions per user U.S. by generation 2020. Statista. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/707248/entertainment-subscriptions-per-user/
Vargas, R. A. (2022, October 10). Mother of Dahmer victim condemns netflix series: 'I don't see how they can do that'. The Guardian. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/10/dahmer-victim-tony-hughes-mother-condemns-netflix-series
Bonn, S. A., & Dimond, D. (2014). Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the World's Most Savage Murderers. Skyhorse Publishing.
Schmid, D. F. (2005). Natural Born Celebrities: Serial killers in American Culture. University of Chicago Press.
