14 Expert-Approved Reasons Why True Crime Fascinates Us

In today's media landscape, it's impossible to ignore the surge of highly popular books, podcasts, and TV shows centered around criminal stories.

Investigation Discovery, a standout since its 2008 launch, remains immensely popular, even hosting its own true crime convention, IDCon. From iconic podcasts like Serial and Dr. Death to gripping series such as In the Dark and Atlanta Monster, the true crime genre is thriving. Its popularity has even sparked a market for gifts tailored to true crime fans. Netflix has also made its mark with hits like The Keepers, Evil Genius, Wild Wild Country, Making a Murderer, and The Staircase, alongside a satirical take on the genre with American Vandal. Even Saturday Night Live humorously highlighted our obsession with true crime in their skit “Murder Show.”

This phenomenon begs the question: What fuels our deep fascination with true crime? Experts weigh in with their insights.

1. Obsessing over true crime is normal—to a certain extent.

First and foremost, there’s nothing unusual about being captivated by true crime. “It indicates that we’re normal and healthy,” explained Dr. Michael Mantell, former chief psychologist of the San Diego Police Department, in a 2009 interview with NPR. “Our fascination with crime fulfills several healthy psychological needs.” However, moderation is key: “If your life revolves entirely around crime—reading, discussing, or collecting related memorabilia—that could be a red flag,” he cautioned. (It’s worth noting that excessive consumption of true crime content can lead to skewed perceptions, such as believing crime rates are higher than they actually are or imagining serial killers lurk everywhere. In reality, the FBI reports that “serial murders account for less than one percent of all annual homicides.”)

2. Evil captivates us...

True crime offers a window into the minds of individuals who have violated what forensic psychologist Dr. Paul G. Mattiuzzi describes as “one of humanity’s most fundamental taboos and, perhaps, a primal human impulse”—murder. “Each case,” he notes, “requires an evaluation of the magnitude of evil involved.” This enduring intrigue with the battle between good and evil, as Dr. Mantell points out, is timeless. Dr. Elizabeth Rutha, a licensed clinical psychologist at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, explained to AHC Health News that this fascination begins in childhood. From a young age, we’re drawn to the conflict between good and evil, and true crime taps into that deep-seated interest.

3. ...And we’re curious about what drives killers to commit their crimes.

We seek to understand the motivations behind such extreme actions and what drives these individuals, as we would never commit such acts ourselves. “We desire insight into the psychology of killers, both to safeguard our families and ourselves and because we are inherently intrigued by deviant behavior and the distorted perceptions that lead to it,” author Caitlin Rother explained to Hopes & Fears.

4. The 24/7 news cycle plays a role...

While our fascination with crime dates back centuries, the media has significantly amplified the true crime trend. “Since the 1950s, we’ve been inundated with crime stories in the media, reaching a peak in the 1970s,” Mantell stated. “Our curiosity about crime matches our fear of it.” He added, “The media knows that sensational stories attract attention, and today, roughly 25 to 30 percent of television news focuses on crime, especially violent and personal crimes like murder. Predatory crimes against individuals dominate headlines.”

5. … And because we’re drawn to the spectacle of a “trainwreck.”

“Serial killers captivate people in the same way as car crashes, train wrecks, or natural disasters,” noted Scott Bonn, a criminology professor at Drew University and author of Why We Love Serial Killers, in a TIME article. “This fascination reflects a broader societal obsession with violence and chaos. While their actions are horrifying, the public often can’t turn away from the sheer spectacle.”

In fact, criminals may play a crucial role in society, as true crime author Harold Schechter explained to Hopes & Fears. “Crime is not an anomaly but an inherent part of civilization, a concept supported by thinkers like Plato, Sigmund Freud, and Émile Durkheim,” he said. “If these theories hold true, criminals can only serve their societal function if the public is fully aware of their crimes and punishments. This means people crave the complete, shocking narrative.”

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6. Because it makes us feel more prepared.

Megan Boorsma, in Elon Law Review [PDF], highlights that true crime studies reveal people often focus on threats to their personal safety. Psychologists suggest that women, in particular, are drawn to true crime because it provides survival strategies for dangerous situations.

A 2010 study found that women are more attracted to true crime books offering self-defense tips, insights into killers’ motives, and stories with female victims. Researchers concluded that women’s fear of becoming crime victims drives this preference. Amanda Vicary, the study’s lead author, explained to the Huffington Post that learning about murders helps people understand how to avoid becoming victims themselves.

Engaging with true crime content “can serve as a practice run,” said Dr. Sharon Packer, a psychiatrist and assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, in a conversation with DECIDER.

Crime novelist Megan Abbott notes that while men are four times more likely to be homicide victims, women account for 70 percent of intimate partner homicides. “Women are drawn to true crime because it reflects the realities of their world,” Abbott wrote in the Los Angeles Times. “These stories address their concerns with the gravity they deserve.”

7. Because there could be an evolutionary advantage.

Dr. Marissa Harrison, associate professor of psychology at Penn State Harrisburg, explained to Hopes & Fears that our fascination with true crime may stem from an evolutionary need to focus on potential threats. “Paying attention to horrific events in our ancestral environment likely helped individuals survive and pass on their genes by avoiding danger,” she said.

In a discussion about the Alex Murdaugh trial, psychologist Coltan Scrivner, a research scientist at Aarhus University in Denmark, told TIME, “Humans are naturally drawn to and alert about potential dangers. Our curiosity about threats in our surroundings means we instinctively seek out information that could help us avoid harm.”

8. Because we feel relieved it’s not us.

Psychologists suggest that our obsession with true crime stems from the relief of not being the victim. Tamron Hall, host of ID's Deadline: Crime, highlighted this feeling at IDCon 2017. “Viewers often think, ‘This could have happened to me or someone I know,’ and feel grateful it didn’t,” she remarked.

Dr. Sharon Packer explained to DECIDER that part of our fascination with true crime resembles schadenfreude—finding comfort in others’ misfortunes. “It’s not malicious, but there’s relief knowing the tragedy happened to someone else,” she said.

9. Because we’re relieved we’re not the ones committing the crime.

On the flip side, true crime also allows us to experience empathy, as Dr. Michael Mantell noted: “It lets us connect with our compassion, not just for victims but sometimes even for perpetrators.”

“We all feel anger, and while many might say, ‘I could kill them,’ almost no one acts on it,” Packer said. “Watching true crime reminds us, ‘Thankfully, it wasn’t me.’ It’s a relief to know our aggressive impulses remained just that—impulses.”

10. Because it delivers an adrenaline rush.

“People experience an adrenaline surge when witnessing horrific events,” Bonn explains. “If you question the addictive nature of adrenaline, consider the thrill-seeker who rides a roller coaster repeatedly despite feeling sick. True crime evokes a similar euphoric effect, akin to the excitement of roller coasters or natural disasters.”

11. Because we enjoy solving mysteries.

Humans are naturally drawn to puzzles, and true crime shows and podcasts engage our minds. “By following TV investigations,” Bonn notes, “viewers can play detective, trying to solve the mystery before law enforcement does.”

Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a forensic psychology professor at DeSales University, told Hopes & Fears that “true crime stories are often presented as puzzles, inviting audiences to solve them.” This mental challenge provides a sense of closure.

12. Because we enjoy being scared … within safe limits.

“As a form of entertainment, true crime lets us experience fear and horror in a controlled setting where the danger feels thrilling but isn’t real,” Bonn explains. “Stories about real-life killers are akin to monster movies for adults.” Schechter told the BBC that serial killer tales are “fairytales for grownups, tapping into our innate need for stories about facing monsters.”

Our fascination with violent crimes stems from fear, according to A.J. Marsden, assistant professor of human services and psychology at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida. True crime allows audiences to “explore the darker aspects of humanity from the safety of their couches.”

13. Because it helps us process and cope with our fears.

Rick Nizzardini, a licensed clinical social worker in San Francisco, explained to psychoanalyst F. Diane Barth in 2021 that true crime shows address key aspects of trauma, such as powerlessness, shattered safety, and broken bonds with family and community. These elements can bring buried emotions to the surface, aiding recovery when processed appropriately. Author Kelly Sue DeConnick likened true crime to Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, noting that while it terrifies adults, children love it because it reassures them that monsters can be defeated.

14. Because the storytelling is compelling—and comforting.

When asked why people love true crime, Investigation Discovery hosts often highlight storytelling. “For millennia, people have gathered around fires to hear stories,” said Lt. Joe Kenda, former detective and host of Homicide Hunter, in a 2017 interview with Mytour. “A well-told story keeps them coming back. Real-life stories captivate audiences more than fictional tales with predictable plots and endings.”

Tony Harris, host of Scene of the Crime and Hate in America, agreed with Kenda, emphasizing that true crime shows often provide closure: “Most of our stories have a clear resolution.”

Additionally, the consistent structure of most true crime shows may contribute to our fascination with the genre.

“To understand the obsession with true crime, you need to recognize the overarching narrative shared by nearly all such stories,” Lester Andrist, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland, told Hopes & Fears. “These stories clearly distinguish between heroes and villains, and crucially, the crimes are always resolved. They provide answers, and despite its flaws, the justice system ultimately functions.”

In an unexpected way, these true crime tales—no matter how gruesome—offer a sense of comfort. “In a world undergoing rapid social, political, economic, and technological shifts,” Andrist noted, “true crime reassures people that their traditional beliefs about how the world operates remain relevant.”