“Killer Entertainment”

True crime features are scarily spiking up the podcast charts as more people become fascinated with the dark tales the world has to share. As spooky season approaches, we can only predict that they will increase in popularity this coming month. So, take out your headphones, pause the podcast as I explore the frightening facts of why we are so engrossed by True Crime.

From growing up sharing gory ghost stories, to watching horror films over the top of duvet covers, it is no surprise that we crave the same adrenaline rush that we can get from these podcasts. Our generation has developed a thirst for being frightened. So, it only makes sense that the next step would be bingeing on the bloody tales that are True Crime. These podcasts expose us to real-life crime, whilst keeping us at distance from the danger. The storytelling narrative allows us to really dig our teeth (fangs) into the piece, whilst listening within the comfort of our own homes. We can tease ourselves with True crime whilst knowing our limits of the fear factor.

Typically, these podcasts expose us to the details of dark crime that mainstream media attempt to cover up. It is important that we know the truth of these tales, for the victim’s sake, if not for our own. Telling the stories without the mask (no Halloween pun intended) is crucial to ensuring we are aware of the crime that is going on in the world and unravelling this taboo of not discussing the details, no matter how daunting they might be.

However, some people turn to True crime, seeking the opposite of fear. Many True crime enthusiasts listen to these podcasts as a way of gaining more control over their own safety. Those who are tuning in as a way of protection are particularly women, who make up many of the victims of the crimes these podcasts tend to explore. If you’ve listened to enough episodes, you will have noticed that patterns start to emerge, such as when and where criminals tend to strike.

Crime happens all around us whether we acknowledge it or not, therefore so many people are choosing to educate themselves to feel safer, rather than hiding from something that will inevitably always be there. People tend to pay extra attention to their own, friends and family’s whereabouts after listening, and feel encouraged to take extra safety precautions in situations they might not have ever considered.

However, there is a fine line between what is too involved in True crime. At what point do the cautionary steps that we are learning from these podcasts, transform into a source of fear-mongering in our lives?

The clue is in the name when it comes to the nature of True Crime, but some listeners are still shocked by just how disturbing the details can be. It can leave people extremely distressed and can worsen their anxiety about becoming the victim of a similar crime. This is one of the negative aspects of True crime podcasts, as it places the listener in a position to believe that it is up to them to take these precautions to prevent being the victim. When in fact, these crimes, unfortunately, can happen to anyone no matter how much we try and avoid it. Whilst it is great that so many more people are increasing their personal safety because of exposure to True crime, it is important to not allow this ‘innocent thrill’ we might get from these podcasts to stop us from doing the things in life that we enjoy.

So, whether you are tuning in for a trick or a treat, it is important to be aware of how these podcasts can resonate with us even after listening, and the implications it can have on our anxiety surrounding our safety and personal protection. That is not to say we can’t indulge in our guilty pleasure of True Crime podcasts this Halloween, but just remember it is not only fiction that is frightening.

by Molly Mallinder .

“Whilst it is great that so many more people are increasing their personal safety because of exposure to True crime, it is important to not allow this ‘innocent thrill’ we might get from these podcasts to stop us from doing the things in life that we enjoy. “