Shows in the true crime genre are popular with audiences for their mind-bending mysteries and the intrigue of examining the darker aspects of human behavior.
Although these distressing stories aim to inform, crime-based series also provide an element of entertainment. But before becoming someone’s “comfort show” for downtime viewing, true crime TV was presented in a very different way.
How True Crime TV’s Approach Has Shifted Over Time
The true crime genre’s origins trace back to 16th-century England, when murder reports were presented in pamphlets.
These pamphlets were often written in a straightforward style, distributed by leaders to raise awareness and impart moral lessons.
It didn’t take long, however, for murder news to be transformed into ballads. These poetic, entertaining narratives not only described crimes but also drew in a wider audience and cultivated greater interest in true crime.
Of course, even in the past, sensationalism was unavoidable. People have always been both horrified and fascinated by the macabre. The Victorian obsession with Jack the Ripper in 1888 is a prime example of how the media has long used murder as a profitable spectacle.
Much like how early pamphlets evolved from straightforward reports to entertaining ballads, true crime media has undergone a noticeable transformation in recent decades.
The 1988 film Thin Blue Line and the 1996 documentary Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills are classic examples that explore wrongful convictions and the intricacies of the criminal justice system.
Although these stories are tragic and shocking, they lack the narrative techniques most modern documentary films and series now use.
These days, the most popular documentary series incorporate elements designed to captivate viewers. Shows like This Is the Zodiac Speaking, Evil Genius, and Abducted in Plain Sight feature survivors recounting their chilling experiences, police investigators sharing crime details, and reenactments set to suspenseful background music.
Aside from seeking insights about the crime, people tend to gravitate toward documentary series or films that deliver shock value or provoke deep thought. This trend makes you question whether it's ethical to watch shows that blur the line between being informative and sensationalized.
Has True Crime Evolved for the Better?
True crime has long been criticized for sensationalizing cases and fostering hypervigilance. With the recent influx of true crime series, questions about their ethics and accuracy have become more prevalent.
Because true crime has grown so profitable and social media allows information to spread rapidly, producers now have more resources than ever to create series based on real crimes, often taking artistic freedoms.
Des, a British miniseries, faced criticism for seemingly humanizing a killer. Despite featuring a major star like David Tennant and having a substantial production budget, it drew significant backlash.
Moreover, with the high demand for Netflix true crime documentaries, the company has been churning out numerous shows. Some fans argue that certain series have become overly drawn out, with excessive reenactments or a narrow focus on specific aspects that diminish their appeal.
But there are exceptions, such as See No Evil, which uses real-life footage to reinforce its factual basis. BBC’s The Investigation is another example, emphasizing police work and respecting victims’ families.
In the end, it all boils down to how far you’re willing to go to satisfy your morbid curiosity. Choosing not to blindly accept everything shown in these series will help you steer clear of being easily swayed by sensationalized narratives.
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