Twenty-three-year-old media professional Varsha Singh started watching true crime shows in her school days. She describes them as a stress buster that made her forget the immense pressure during her exams.
On the other hand, 24-year-old fact-checker Rujuta Thete started watching true crime shows in 2018 when, after watching a documentary series called Truth and Lies: The Manson FamilyNetflix’s algorithm started recommending more and more such shows to you.
But her interest gradually developed after she realized that it helped her become more aware of “the dangers of the world.” She was drawn to the intrigue of how cases were solved, but more importantly, these shows gave her a glimpse into the minds of criminals.
Shireen Khan, who lives in Ghaziabad, feels that more than being interested in finding out how these cases unfold, watching true crime dramas helps her cope with her fear of the unknown.
She says, “What drives me to watch these shows is also the fact that I know about the incident. I’m curious to hear/see people describe the horror in detail.”
Although she is disgusted by the criminals’ actions, she is also curious about how serial killers’ minds work, much like Thete. She adds: “It reinforces my belief that you can’t trust anyone.”
Dr Umang Kochhar, Consultant psychiatrist in Delhi, says it’s not uncommon for people to be drawn to true crime dramas as they appeal to our basic instincts – excitement, fear, horror, desire and anything remotely sexual – and give us an adrenaline rush.
These shows excite our senses with blood. He says, “The drama, the negativity is something that hooks people. This is as close as you can get to reality without apparent consequences, in a controlled environment.”
But he agrees with Khan.
Many people watch these shows to prepare for what might be to come. In addition, there is also a sense of calm that the case has been solved and the criminal has been brought to justice. There is a sense of reinforced belief in the system.
Manali Arora, a practicing therapist in Delhi, adds that these shows can make you feel good about yourself “for putting up with seeing something so awful most people can’t even look at it.”
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