Serial Killers and Society’s Obsession
There is something deeply disturbing yet oddly fascinating about serial killers. They are people who commit horrifying acts, often killing several victims one after another in a pattern. These are not ordinary crimes, and the people who commit them are not just criminals. They are seen as monsters, but at the same time, they become the center of books, movies, podcasts, and documentaries. People talk about them, read about them, watch them on screen, and even sometimes admire how clever or twisted they were. This obsession might seem strange, but it says a lot about our society and how the human mind works.
To understand why serial killers hold such power over the public imagination, we first have to think about how rare and terrifying their actions are. Most crimes happen in moments of passion or by mistake, but serial killers plan what they do. They often have a pattern, a method, and a goal, even if that goal is twisted or impossible to understand. Some kill because they enjoy it. Others say they are trying to send a message. Many seem to feel no guilt at all. That is why when people hear about a serial killer, they often ask, “How can someone be like that?” It shocks our sense of what is normal and forces us to confront the darkest parts of human nature.
This shock turns into curiosity. People want to know what went wrong in the killer’s life. Were they abused as children? Did they suffer from mental illness? Did they always seem dangerous, or did they hide their true nature behind a smile and a normal life? True crime shows, books, and interviews try to answer these questions, and audiences are drawn in. There is a strange comfort in watching stories about evil while sitting safely on the couch. It is like watching a horror movie—you feel scared, but you also feel safe. You know it is not happening to you, but you want to know how it happened to someone else.
Another reason people are obsessed with serial killers is because of the mystery. Many serial killers are very careful. They leave clues, but not too many. They sometimes play games with the police or the public. Some even write letters to the media. This turns the hunt for the killer into a puzzle. People like solving puzzles. They enjoy trying to guess who did it, why they did it, and what will happen next. When a killer is caught, there is relief, but also a strange sense of excitement that the story has reached its climax.
The media plays a huge role in feeding this obsession. News outlets know that stories about murder, especially serial murder, get attention. So they cover every detail. They name the killer, show their photo, report on their background, and describe their crimes again and again. Some people believe this gives the killer the fame they wanted. It turns them into dark celebrities. Movies and television series make this even worse by turning these real-life monsters into characters that people talk about for years. Shows like “Mindhunter,” “Dexter,” or documentaries about killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and the Zodiac Killer attract millions of viewers. Some people even write letters to killers in prison or buy things related to them online. That raises serious questions: Is it wrong to give so much attention to evil? Are we rewarding murderers with fame?
There is also a deeper psychological reason for the obsession. Serial killers challenge our basic belief that people are mostly good. Most of us want to believe that the world is a safe place, that bad things happen far away, and that we can trust the people around us. But serial killers show us that sometimes, evil hides in plain sight. Some of them were married, had jobs, and lived in normal neighborhoods. They looked just like everyone else. That scares people, but it also fascinates them. It makes them want to learn the signs, to figure out what to look for, to protect themselves from the next hidden danger.
Sociologists have also studied how society reacts to serial killers. They say that when a serial killer is active, fear spreads quickly. People stay home, look at strangers with suspicion, and follow the news closely. But after the killer is caught, the fear turns into stories. Society builds myths around the killer. They become symbols of madness, evil, or even broken systems. Some people say serial killers show the failure of mental health care. Others blame broken families, poverty, or violent media. Everyone has an opinion, and that leads to debates, which keeps the story alive for years.
Interestingly, society often focuses more on the killer than on the victims. In many documentaries and news stories, we learn everything about the killer—what they ate, where they went to school, what music they liked—but we barely hear about the people whose lives were taken. This can be harmful. It turns the killer into the main character of the story, and the victims become background details. Some families of victims have spoken out against this, asking for more respect, more focus on the people who were lost, and less attention on the murderer. That is something we should all think about. Whose story are we really telling?
There is also a risk that obsession with serial killers could inspire others. Some people who feel lonely, angry, or ignored might see the attention that serial killers get and think, “At least people would notice me.” This is not common, but it has happened. That is why it is important to talk about these topics carefully, without turning killers into heroes or legends. We should study them to understand and prevent future crimes, not to entertain ourselves at the cost of other people’s pain.
So what can we do with this obsession? It is natural to be curious about the darker parts of life. But curiosity should come with responsibility. If you enjoy true crime stories, try to learn from them. Ask questions about how society can prevent violence, how to support mental health, and how to help victims and their families. Do not just watch for entertainment. Think about the real lives that were lost. Support media that focuses on justice, truth, and healing, not just fear and shock.
In the end, serial killers show us something about ourselves. They show us our fear, our fascination, our hunger for answers, and our need to make sense of the senseless. They remind us that evil exists, but also that we have the power to face it, understand it, and stop it before it starts. We can choose what stories we tell, how we tell them, and why.
By Khushdil Khan Kasi
