True crime on Hulu: What draws us to these chilling stories?

True crime is a global phenomenon, and it seems the more heinous the crime, the more viewers it will attract. Whether it’s through documentaries, podcasts, or dramatizations, the genre offers an unflinching look at the darker sides of humanity, and Hulu has several great examples, including The Act and Fyre Fraud. But what is it about these chilling stories that keep us coming back for more?

We’re curious about human behavior

One of the main reasons we are drawn to true crime is likely our curiosity about the darker aspects of human behavior. True crime offers a glimpse into the minds of individuals who commit unthinkable acts, and hearing their stories might help us understand why they did it.

Criminologists explain that it’s similar to how we can’t look away from accidents. People want to explore the “why” behind the criminal acts to comprehend behavior outside societal norms​.

It provides a sense of safety and preparedness

For many people, true crime can provide a sense of security. Knowing how killers entered homes and other facts can be valuable information that you can use to ensure a killer didn’t use the same methods on you.

Research has shown that women are more likely to be drawn to stories that provide insight into how to avoid becoming victims, making true crime a way to feel more prepared and knowledgeable about potential threats.

It triggers our fight-or-flight response

True crime stories often stimulate the brain’s fight-or-flight mechanism, which is part of our survival instincts. Even though these crimes are happening on-screen, our brains react as if we’re experiencing the events firsthand, allowing us to process fear in a safe space.

This safe confrontation with danger will enable viewers to engage without real-world consequences, which some psychologists suggest emotionally helps manage underlying fears.

We like to solve mysteries

True crime also feeds into our love of puzzles and problem-solving. The structure of many true crime documentaries invites the audience to become armchair detectives.

Piecing the clues together with the narrative and seeing justice, or the lack of it, can be deeply satisfying and engaging.

True crime reflects societal anxieties

Many people are drawn to true crime because it offers a way to examine societal issues. Documentaries often explore how criminal justice systems work, sometimes highlighting their failures, which can lead to discussions about law enforcement and legal reform.

These failures of law enforcement also tap into our concerns for our safety in a world where law enforcement and other people in power are more difficult to count on.

Great true crime documentaries and films to watch on Hulu

• Dead Asleep

• The Most Dangerous Animal of All

• Cold Case Files

• The First 48

• The Murder of Laci Peterson

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