It is safe to say that true crime media follows us everywhere. These creepy stories stow away in the car as we drive and listen to podcasts, and follow us home as we turn on Netflix to wind down. The true crime genre encompasses documentaries, tv shows, movies, books, and podcasts, all based on the true and gruesome tales of real court cases. There is no question that this form of media is entertaining: from the pumping adrenaline of wondering whether or not the perpetrator will get caught, to the devastation of listening to the testimonies of victims’ loved ones. Producers use these real stories of murder and outrage to tug on our heartstrings and play with our innermost fears. After the recent release of Monsters, a Netflix original series by Ryan Murphy which tells a fictionalized account of the 1989 Menendez Brothers Case, it has been decided by the US judicial system that after serving 34 years of their life sentence, the brothers are due for another hearing on November 26.
True crime stories are cultural juggernauts in 2024 but they can have even larger implications within the real lives of the people who have become characterized. Both producers and consumers of this media must consider the difference between exploitation and advocacy. In the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez, the attention that Monsters has cast on their case has ultimately helped to reopen it, with major rallying of the public for their release. Originally found guilty of first-degree murder in 1992 for the killing of their parents, the young brothers garnered public support after disclosing that they acted in self-defence, after enduring years of physical, mental, and sexual abuse at their hands. Cases like this one are no doubt captivating and sympathetic, and lend themselves to the many retellings and interpretations within the media, helping to advocate for justice.
On the other hand, the more buzz that is generated by these embellished narratives, the less likely it is that jurors will enter a case unbiased and impartial. It is now nearly impossible to prevent potential jurors from seeing an influx of social media posts regarding these stories, or dramatized episodes, which may or may not be promoting factual accounts of the events. There are also other consequences to consider, such as the re-traumatization of those affected by these crimes. As stories about murderers such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy get remade every few years, the families of those affected by their crimes are forced to relive their horrific experiences.
There are also cases in which inmates who have had media produced about their court cases are sensationalized upon their release. Take for example, Gypsy Rose Blanchard. As a victim of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Blanchard was manipulated by her mother into believing that she was incredibly ill, causing her to undergo unnecessary and invasive health procedures for all of her young life. Blanchard was found guilty in 2016 for the murder of her mother, and was released from prison in December of 2023, after serving a seven-year sentence. During her incarceration, many films and shows were made about her case, such as The Act (2019) and Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017). Due to the popularity of her story, Blanchard accumulated 6 million followers on TikTok and 5.7 million followers on Instagram within a week of her release, skyrocketing her to celebrity status.
In another instance, the Netflix Original Inventing Anna, released in 2022, explored the story of Anna Delvey, nee Anna Sorokin, a scam artist who infiltrated the inner elite of New York City by faking her status as an heiress, conning those she had befriended out of millions of dollars. After serving nearly four years in prison, “Entrepreneur and Fashionista” Delvey recently appeared on the show Dancing with the Stars, alongside Olympians and movie stars, with her ankle monitor bedazzled to match her ballroom dancing outfits.
There is something incredibly fascinating about getting to the bottom of a mystery, and vicariously living the thrill of a courtroom from your couch. True crime is a binge worthy genre, and yet it is important to produce and consume this media by critically considering its subject matter. Before treating the subjects of true crime media like celebrities, remember that just because their lives are incredibly publicized does not mean that they are not entitled to privacy, or should be glorified. True crime can be a gateway to justice, or a means of spreading misinformation, and the difference lies in responsible consumption.
