Why Do We Have a True Crime Obsession?
Serial killers, gruesome murders, and heinous crimes – if this is what’s dominating your podcast queue and Netflix suggestions, you’re not alone. But why do we have such a true crime obsession? What is it about the terrible things that humans do to one another that fascinates us? Let’s dive in and find out why this “guilty pleasure” might not be something to feel guilty about after all.
Want the key facts up front? Jump to the TL;DR!
In this article…
- True Crime Obsession – Facts and Figures
- How our True Crime Obsession Makes us (Feel) Safe
- True Crime Obsession and Adrenaline: The Rush of the Dark
- Entertained by the Unusual
- Why True Crime Is an Easy Obsession to Satisfy
- You’re in Good Company – Enjoy!
True Crime Obsession – Facts and Figures
Over the last decade, true crime has undeniably become one of the most popular genres of entertainment. Documentaries on real-life murders and other crime have quite obviously struck a chord with many of us. But how popular is it really? Some facts and figures will shed more light on our true crime obsession.
Background Noise or Bedtime Story: True Crime Podcasts on the Rise
If you enjoy turning on a good podcast while cleaning, driving, or falling asleep, you’re in good company. More than half a billion of people worldwide regularly listen to podcasts, and according to the Pew Reasearch Center, 35% do so to the tune of true crime stories. At the beginning of 2024, Podchaser counted 23 000 published true crime podcasts.
And the charts reflect our true crime obsession too. “Crime Junkie”, one of the most successful true crime podcasts can consistently be found in the global top 10, and even made it #1 Apple podcast twice in a row in 2022 and 2023.
From Niche to Netflix: True Crime on the Biggest Streaming Platform
As of November 2024, Netflix hosts dozens of true crime formats, including some lesser known stories as well as several genre-defining cases like the story of killer clown John Wayne Gacy and night stalker Richard Ramirez.
In addition to documentaries, Netflix has started adding fictionalized adaptations of the most prominent cases. “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile”, starring Zac Efron as serial killer Ted Bundy, and “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” are just two examples of how the platform brings true crime obsession to the next level and invests heavily in the genre.
How our True Crime Obsession Makes us (Feel) Safe
But why are we so fascinated by true crime to the point that it becomes an obsession? One explanation comes from evolutionary psychologists: By consuming true crime content, we learn about crimes that have already occurred, which might help or even save us. The more we know about potential dangers and how to avoid or react to them, the safer we feel in a world that can seem dangerous.
Women and Their True Crime Obsession
This could explain why women consume more true crime content than men. It is said that 80% of the true crime audience is female, and they have their very own preferences when it comes to content. A study conducted by the University of Illinois in 2010 supports this theory, revealing that women are particularly interested in cases involving female or surviving victims and the perpetrators’ motives.
The Serial Killer Among Us
Serial killers have always been one of the most popular topics in true crime. Not only do they represent a special kind of evil, but they often kill for sheer pleasure. What’s even more unsettling is a common statement from their social circles: “They seemed so normal and nice”. The ideas that they could theoretically be our next-door neighbours makes the world feel even more dangerous. This is where true crime gives us a sense of security. The more we learn about serial killers, the more we trust our ability to recognize one.
True Crime Obsession and Adrenaline: The Rush of the Dark
Do you enjoy a good horror movie or a roller coaster ride? The reason for this is deeply rooted in our biology. When we get excited or scared, our brain releases adrenaline, a hormone that accelerates our heartbeat, raises our blood pressure, and makes us more alert and energized. True crime stories and tales of gruesome murders have the same effect. We get to experience fear and adrenaline, but without the risks of a real, dangerous situation. Instead, we can enjoy it in the safe environment of our home or car. In a way, our true crime obsession could even be seen as a small addiction to our body’s own hormone rush.
Entertained by the Unusual
Another simple theory for our true crime obsession is our intrinsic desire for entertainment. Just like thrill-seeking, the reason lies in our brain: consuming all kinds of entertainment triggers the release of dopamine – often called the “feel-good hormone” – which rewards us with pleasure. True crime stories, with their captivating and out-of-the-ordinary narratives, grab our attention, bring us joy and offer an escape from the boredom of our daily routines.
Why True Crime Is an Easy Obsession to Satisfy
There surely are plenty of valid reasons to enjoy a good true crime story. And the best part is that it’s incredibly easy to do so. With an immense range of – mostly free – content available in whatever format we prefer, we can indulge ourselves in the darkest corners of the human mind all day long and satisfy our true crime obsession. Blogs, YouTube, and podcasts are just a small portion of what’s out there for true crime enthusiasts. You can go down the rabbit hole of the Louisiana axe murderer while taking the bus to work, find out how Jeffrey Dahmer found his victims during their evening run, or watch the story of how Ted Bundy escaped through a window in the comfort of your living room. True crime is no longer a niche for a few people with weird interests. Netflix and others have made it socially acceptable to casually discuss gruesome details with friends, family and colleagues.
You’re in Good Company – Enjoy!
If you have previously wondered why you enjoy crime cases as much as you do, you should now have the answer. And please know that you’re not alone: millions of people and a few celebrities including Chrissy Teigen, Mindy Kaling and Gwyneth Paltrow have happily admitted that they love true crime.
So read, watch or listen on, and never feel ashamed for what makes you happy.
TL;DR: True Crime Obsession at a Glance
- True crime has become one of the most popular podcast genres, and has been widely adapted in mainstream media.
- 80% of the true crime audience is female.
- True crime formats can create a sense of safety by offering knowledge about hypothetically dangerous situations.
- The thrill of consuming true crime content can trigger an adrenaline rush and even become addictive.
- Many celebrities have openly admitted to enjoying true crime formats.
Curious about the details? Start from the top and read the full article!
Nadja
A deep love for the dark in life and beyond and cosy crime watching with my family brought me to the world of true crime. My days are spent in the realms of digital marketing, but the hours after dark belong to my beloved hobby: writing about crime and mysteries.