The Problem with True Crime

Graphics by Anika Dua

One thing about us JERKS– we are true crime FREAKS.

I am certainly not the only one at JERK who is obsessed with true crime. But recently, I’ve been wondering if I should be a little more concerned that I can easily fall asleep listening to videos about horrible murders by Buzzfeed Unsolved. Maybe it’s Ryan’s relaxing voice, or maybe I am completely desensitized to gruesome murder, death, and mysteries. Does this make me a bad person– being interested in a genre covering such dark topics?

Now, true crime is a huge obsession for many people– especially for white women. Now, let’s put our little marketing caps on. A demographic of white female audiences means it’s more likely that some true crime cases will get more coverage and public interest than others: those involving white women as victims. This is because we like to relate to something (one of the many reasons why diversity in movies and TV is so important) and we feel even “closer” to the case when we can identify with some part of it. 

This causes a problem, though. Think back to the Gabby Petito case– while everyone was concerned for this woman’s well-being, there were also many activists and influencers being like “Hey! What the fuck!” because, during the time that Gabby Petito, a white woman, was missing, many Indigenous women also went missing– whose names were likely never mentioned in local newspapers, much less national news. This is NOT to say that one life is “more important” than another– this is the opposite. If we gave Gabby Petito’s tragic story this much press, what about all the missing women of color? Where are their stories? 

Another reason we are interested in true crime is because it involves “mystery” – an enticing genre that has always done well. What makes true crime different from murder mysteries is the closeness of it, the reality: we like to feel as though we participated in “solving” this case by trying to figure it out ourselves and I believe that the fact it’s true makes it all the more adrenaline-inducing and interesting. 

This is a little concerning, though, because most people understand this distinction between fictional Knifes Out detective stories and investigation documentaries about a serial killer on the loose, but I do wonder what it does to our heads subconsciously. No matter how exciting or engrossing a true crime story might be, the truth of the matter is that topics like these really don’t just skim over your memories. They last, because they’re scary and sometimes disturbing. 

The most important thing for any true crime junkie is to just check in with yourself. Have you been more anxious lately? Depressed? Paranoid?  If so, it might be a good idea to take a little break.  Consuming too much true crime could lead to a warped perspective on what the crime situation is currently like in the world, more paranoia, as well as increased depression and anxiety. Of course, this might not be the case for you– everyone is different from the way we look, to the way we process information. 

So…after all that: is it ethical to like true crime?

Well, it depends on how you go about it. I wrote an entire essay on ethical rhetoric in true crime, so if you want more detailed information, definitely check that out. But, basically, the most important thing when it comes to true crime (and, well, most things) is intention. 

First, look at yourself. Why are you watching true crime? To get scared? To learn? To prepare? If your answer isn’t something fucked up like “watch people die,” then you should be fine.

Next, look at the intention of what you’re watching/reading. Why did they make this? Awareness? Advocacy? Are they letting the victims participate (if they want to) and giving them a voice? 

If your answers to the above are positive, then, congratulations, you’re (probably) looking at an ethical piece of media in true crime, in an ethical manner. 

Lastly, if you’re looking to ethically consume some true crime, here are some suggestions below (from most to least suggested, though I like all of them)! Note that these suggestions are my opinion– some of which I watched a while ago– but I really enjoyed these and think they were done well.

Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker, Novel

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God - Max, Documentary

The Good Nurse - Netflix, Documentary

The Lost Girls by John Glatt, Novel

Our Father - Netflix, Documentary

Escaping Twin Flames - Netflix, Documentary

Hell Camp Teen Nightmare - Netflix, Documentary

Take Care of Maya - Netflix, Documentary

Night Stalker The Hunt for a Serial Killer - Netflix, Documentary

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes - Netflix, Documentary

How To Become a Cult Leader - Netflix, Documentary

Sins of Our Mother - Netflix, Documentary