Why are you drawn to true crime stories?

In today’s modern world, where numerous streaming services and podcast channels are available online, “true crime” content— i.e., content based on real criminal cases. Those who aren’t looking for romantic or humorous plots, or who are tired of fictional horror stories, will sooner or later turn to true crime.

The first—and one of the most significant—representatives of the genre is Truman Capote, whose 1966 novel In Cold Blood effectively created this world. The book recounts a 1959 case involving the murder of a wealthy Kansas family. In his writing, Capote presented in detail the circumstances of the murders, the investigation, and the psychological background of the perpetrators. The novel not only focused on the crime itself but also emphasized the American criminal justice system, which serves as one of the foundations for this type of writing. When consuming such content, you not only learn objectively and descriptively what happened: but it also becomes compelling because you gain a broader, more complex picture of the perpetrator, learning about their family and social background, as well as their mental state and motivations—in other words, you find out why they did what they did. It usually recounts the victims’ stories as well, and you get a glimpse into the details of the investigation so that you can learn as much as possible about the case, allowing us to view the unfolding events from every angle.  People’s fascination with crime stories stems in part from a search for mystery and excitement, which fuels curiosity within you. In the case of real-life crime stories, life itself wrote the script: the complexity of the cases and the exploration of the underlying motivations provide an opportunity for those interested in such content to gain a deeper understanding of the darker side of human nature while remaining safe on their couches. The mysteries, investigations, and unexpected twists keep the tension high, so viewers— naturally, in the case of a series created with an effectively constructed visual world and dramaturgy—follow the plot with excitement. According to psychology, consuming content that deals with real-life criminal cases provides an opportunity for “ordinary” people to confront their own fears and the motivations behind crime, without being exposed to any immediate danger. The empathy inherent in people—especially women—also contributes to their success, as they are often able to identify with the victims, and it may also be explained by the fact that they feel seeing this, they have taken a step toward preparing themselves for a potential attack that might affect them. The content and cases presented in the exhibition The Human Behind Bars also offer insight into the world of crime, and the world behind punishment, which, like true crime series and podcasts, is not only entertaining, but also educational, as it draws attention to the complexity of crime and the administration of justice.

References: WMN - Why We Love True Crime Stories  Femina - Why Are Women More Attracted to True Crime Documentaries?