Expert analyzes what makes true crime stories so captivating
Fans of the genre known as “true crime” have no shortage of books, television shows, and movies to choose from. This year will see new miniseries revisiting the life of serial killer John Wayne Gayce, the murder convictions and exoneration of student Amanda Knox, the murder trial of lawyer Alex Murdaugh, and dozens more. Highest profile of all, producer Ryan Murphy will helm a Netflix series about convicted murderer Ed Gein, whose crimes inspired “Psycho,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Silence of the Lambs.”
“In books and movies, television series and podcasts, true crime has become a cultural phenomenon,” said Virginia Tech English Department instructor Ingrid Johnson, who is teaching a course on the subject this semester. She answered questions about the public’s fascination with this genre and the broader societal implications.
What makes true crime narratives so popular?
“There are various theories about why we are so fascinated with true crime; for example, the Library of Congress argues that Americans are deeply interested in justice but also acknowledges that ‘there is a special fascination for cases that have not been conclusively solved.’ Other scholars point to a primal human desire for violence that is sated by these stories. Additionally, there is speculation that because a majority of true crime consumers are women, there is a connection between general fears about safety and utilizing the genre as a way to be informed about potential dangers. I’m not sure there is a definitive answer, though what we do know is that true crime continues to be one of the most popular genres of media across various platforms — books, movies, television, and podcasts.”
What are the landmarks in the growth of true crime as a genre?
“People have been ‘addicted’ to true crime for a very long time, mostly consuming the genre through newspaper reports and serializations. Jack the Ripper gripped London society — and the world — in the late 19th century. In the United States, Lizzie Borden’s trial created a media frenzy in 1892; similarly, Bonnie and Clyde, the Black Dahlia, and other cases were widely followed. ‘In Cold Blood,’ written in 1966 by Truman Capote, is often identified as the first landmark book to be published, and it remains one of the most popular, and controversial. Following that, we get books like ‘Helter Skelter’ by Vincent Bugliosi, about the Manson family, and ‘Wiseguy’ by Nicholas Pileggi, about the Mafia and Henry Hill. More recently, popular books like ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ by John Berendt, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ by David Grann, and ‘The Devil in the White City’ by Erik Larson have captivated audiences.”
What interested you in taking on this topic in the classroom?
“I have always been interested in crime stories, whether they be in cozy British detective novels or in true crime television. As a researcher and educator, I find the popularity of this genre to be intriguing, as it almost runs counter to what we would expect. These cases are not nice or comforting — instead, they are often violent, disturbing, and horrific. Prompting students to consider the ethical and social implications of studying true crime has been rewarding, as we seek to understand not only why the genre is so popular, but also what it means for our collective humanity.”
How much should readers and viewers be concerned about liberties taken by authors and showrunners when it comes to considering true crime as nonfiction?
“This is an ongoing conversation among consumers and critics of true crime: How true does something have to be to qualify as ‘true crime?’ In some instances, details are changed to protect victims or informants; sometimes, names and places are changed for legal reasons. One of the main criticisms of ‘In Cold Blood’ is that Capote took great liberties when describing events, fabricating entire elements of the case. On the other hand, many creators firmly believe that ‘just the facts’ is the only way to appropriately construct true crime narratives. Either way, readers and viewers should always consider carefully what they are consuming, particularly since this genre is focused on actual people whose lives have been affected by the cases being described.”
About Johnson
Ingrid Johnson is teaching the “True Crime Stories in American Culture” class this semester, which has 500 students enrolled. She’ll be teaching another class on this topic for the Lifelong Learning Institute at Virginia Tech in the fall. An advanced instructor in the College of Liberal Arts and Humans Sciences’ English department, she also teaches composition and literature classes as well as the department’s First-Year Experience course for new majors. She is also the departmental liaison for the English Distinguished Alumni Board. Read more about her here.
Schedule an interview
To schedule an interview, contact Mike Allen in the media relations office at mike.allen@vt.edu or 540-400-1700.