Off Topic: True crime lovers, let's talk boundaries

True crime entertainment is more popular than ever, but when does our curiosity cross the line?

Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story hits the top 10 list, attracting over 19 million views worldwideThe impact of these dramatizations on public perception is obvious and disturbing. The series deals with the infamous case of the Menendez brothers, who murdered their parents in 1989 and have been in prison for 34 years. In conjunction with the show's popularity, the brothers' case was shifted toward resentencing, with their lawyer previously seeking their release thanksgiving – an outcome that was unimaginable just a few months ago, considering that the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Not only is “Monsters” another true crime hit, but it has also reignited a worrying trend: the romanticization of criminals. The Menendez brothers now share this distorted spotlight with other notorious criminals like Jeffrey Dahmer, whose image also experienced a renaissance following Ryan Murphy's Netflix series about his infamous case. Social media is full of fans ChangesThirst traps and even homages to the brothers, combining admiration for the actors in the series with a disturbing fascination for the real murderers. Fanmail was sent to the Menendez brothers' prison with requests Autographs and words from Support. Even Ariana Grande couldn't escape the obsession and previously told a young fan that Dahmer would be her dream date because she wanted to “ask him some questions.”

So what exactly is the problem with shows like “Monsters”? The appeal of infamous figures is nothing new – but the current true crime boom is dangerously amplifying it. Shows like Monsters promote a toxic culture that blurs the line between learning about crime and forming unhealthy parasocial relationships with convicted murderers.

This theme is particularly relevant on Halloween, when some take their obsession with madness too far and dress up as real murderers like Dahmer or the Menendez brothers. These costumes are more than just tasteless – they trivialize the trauma of the victims and their families and reduce horrific acts to mere pop culture references. Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who portrayed Lyle Menendez in the series, was pictured alongside two fans dressed as brothers, complete with blood-stained costumes reminiscent of the crime scene.

Be it through reverence for a criminal's ideology, such as what happened to him Unabomber or with that Killdozer casethe general public's idolization of criminals creates an unacceptable culture that condones dangerous acts. Dahmer and the Menendez brothers represent types of dangerous personalities refashioned into misunderstood victims of society and flawed antiheroes of the public psyche. This disturbing infatuation has its roots in psychological phenomena such as Hybristophiliasexual attraction to violent criminals. For some, it is the bad boy appeal, the desire to change someone for the better, or even the thirst for fame that fuels a fictional parasocial relationship. However, the consequences of these obsessions are anything but fictional and create uncertain dynamics that excuse violent behavior.

Morbid curiosity is a flippant term for those obsessed with true crime and criminals. While the natural intrigue surrounding these mysterious and grotesque atrocities is understandable, things get serious when fans begin to envy – and even long for – these horrific situations.

In cases where real crimes are adapted for entertainment, as in the case of Dahmer and the Menendez brothers, it is crucial to separate the actors from the role they play in order to reduce the obsession with the criminals themselves. Of course, Evan Peters, Cooper Koch, and Chavez played eerily accurate roles of the criminals they portrayed, but we can't fall into the gap of true crime obsession.

True crime can be informative and compelling, but glorifying its subjects goes too far. It is important to consume these stories responsibly, without elevating the perpetrators into celebrities. Setting this boundary ensures that our fascination with these stories does not obscure the harsh truth: real lives have been destroyed by their actions.

The WSN Opinion section strives to publish ideas worthy of discussion. The opinions expressed in the editorial reflect the views of the WSN editorial team.

Contact Leila Olukoga at [email protected].