Netflix True Crime Shows The Xavierite
Platforms like Netflix are always in the loop when releasing series about criminal cases. The production of true crime shows and movies may be interesting to watch, but I believe they can still cross an ethical line to the victims involved.
My mother was always one to sit down and watch a true crime documentary. I’d always end up next to her completely hooked. She was always so informed about these cases and sharing her deepest hurt for them.
Whenever a case was unsolved, she was theorizing and trying to figure out who the possible suspect could be. Her along with every other true crime watcher.
Some nights I would even end up watching the 20/20 dateline since it would play on the TV after the news. So, it was always quite accessible to me.
However, I could never stomach the stories and would sit really uncomfortable afterwards. Especially the murder cases that were never solved, leaving the victims’ families without justice.
A huge concern I have is when these shows exploit the victims and families, leaving them even more vulnerable than before. Some may be exploited for views without receiving any financial compensation from the production.
It’s not always a platform like Netflix that’s able to do this, but places like Youtube. Many channels are dedicated to telling the cases of different types of victims. They can be gandering so many views and gaining money that goes toward their own pocket.
It’s unknown if these families are comfortable with their stories being retold, or if they even know of it happening at all.
Additionally, it’s possible for them to over-dramatize events without consent. It’s unfair to the victims if the story isn’t staying true and to the facts.
Dramatizing events for the purpose of making the story “more interesting” rubs me the wrong way, making it feel like they are only seeing the cases as a form of entertainment. That is inhumane and disrespectful.
When shows are released, it becomes possible for some audience members to glorify the killers and see past their horrible characters.
A prime example of this is the glorification of Ted Bundy, where people become fans of his simply because of his looks. People would make fan accounts on X and excuse his actions, being desensitized by the murders that happened.
Not only is this behavior disgusting, but it also makes the story become centered on the suspect, making them a spectacle. This shifts the focus of the crime from seeking justice to glorifying the killer.
When Netflix released “Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” this made people question if the creation of the show was going too far.
Specifically for the release of this show, the outcomes were sickening. Fans of actor Evan Peters, who played Dahmer, would heartthrob over him from show clips.
Fans claimed that they were talking about the actor, yet he’s still dressed as a serial killer and acting like him too. The show describes different parts of Dahmer’s life such as the chaos happening at his home and being lonely.
This focus has seemingly made it easy for some viewers to can’t help but feel bad for the guy. The victims of Dahmer shouldn’t be disrespected like this, having their trauma be dismissed.
This begs the question on whether or not the audience is able to watch these shows without binging and not processing the humanity behind them. The victims soon become “characters” in this show and not people.
Even victim’s families came forward about the show’s release, not understanding “how they can do that.” Shirley Hughes, mother of Tony Hughes, who was a victim of Dahmer, had spoken her thoughts to The Guardian.
She shared, “I don’t see how they can use our names and put stuff like that out there” and concluded about the episode of her son stating, “it didn’t happen like that”.”
The story of Tony Hughes wasn’t even told properly, potentially reopening a wound for his mother. We don’t know how many other victims felt this way about their stories being told and if they were told truthfully.
True crime has the chance to be informative and help bring awareness about how unsafe the world can really be. It can help people be alert about the people they talk to and be less naive.
I believe that people who watch these true crime shows aren’t villains, but need to hold an empathetic mindset when watching and commenting about the show. At the end of the day, they are talking about another person’s trauma.
Viewers can keep a watchout on what series are rightfully telling the victims’ stories without financially exploiting them.
Being more aware about a show’s ability to share a victim’s story respectfully and with the purpose of seeking justice, is how you can rightfully watch true crime.