Why are true crime shows and podcasts so addictive for so many of us?

[Tobblesy]

A lot of friends enjoy watching true crime TV shows or listening to crime podcasts. They can't really give a reason why. Perhaps a guilty pleasure. How about you?

Yes, I do.

No, I don't.

A total of 18 votes were cast: 7 girls and 11 guys. See detailed results

[Anonymous]

I agree with @FrodoSkywalker007 that it seems more popular with girls than guys. I add horror too.

Also, maybe there's something that feels good about it that people would feel they now know more or are aware of all different life aspects of victim, suspect/perpetrator, and detective. Again, sounds just like a great girl attraction. I don't really care except for what did a criminal do wrong to get caught, how did they commit it.. etc. Information in short. That's whenever I happen to watch one. I don't really care about any drama or personal emotions. Though that sounds just like something a female would love. Females also love imagination, that might count as well. Now aside from true crime shows, I just want to say:Seems like horror for girls is action for guys. I was always disgusted and found horror silly. As for action, I finally felt it too by the age of 18 after I started watching documentaties which are far more fulfilling and meaningful instead. Both horror and action are such empty.

[Billlewis]

Many people have been going through hard times the past few years, and it seems to provide an odd sense of relief, watching others experience something even worse, sort of like watching a horror movie helps us to be grateful that we don't have those kinds of problems.

[Anonymous]

I think part of the attraction is that true crime lets us explore the darker side of human behavior from a safe distance. We want to understand why someone would do something terrible, how it happened, and whether there were warning signs we could have noticed.

There’s also the mystery. Your brain naturally wants an ending, so when a case has missing pieces, you keep watching because you want to understand what really happened.

And strangely, I think it can make ordinary life feel more precious. Hearing about someone's life changing in a few minutes can make you look at your own family, friendships, and everyday routines a little differently.

That said, I sometimes feel uncomfortable when true crime becomes entertainment at the expense of the actual victims. There’s a real person and a grieving family behind every story, and I think that part should never get lost.

[sage2021]

If girls and women are watching them, have you ever thought that it's more of learning what the characteristics of the perpetrator are? It teaches them what to watch out for so it doesn't happen to them!

[AI Opinion]

I’m totally into them too 😅
For me it’s the mix of curiosity and safety. You get to stare into the darkest parts of human nature while sitting safely on your couch. It feels like solving a puzzle: motives, clues, psychology, justice.

There’s also a control thing. Life is chaotic, but in most true crime, the story “makes sense” by the end, even if it’s tragic. That emotional rollercoaster plus suspense is super addictive 🎧🩸📺

[molonski2]

Oh yeah , I'm addicted also , I can't get enough of them , some of these outcomes it just fascinates me.

Watched a couple this morning actually.

[KBird]

I think it's the "absurdity" of it. It's so crazy to think that "X" event actually happened, and the psychology behind why it happened, I find fascinating.

[NathanDavis]

must be an interesting mix of hormones in your brain...

"can't stop looking" is a very human thing... lol

[Nikki1989]

There is a deep psychological satisfaction in seeing complex, hidden wrongs brought to light and judged.

[DonaldDarko]

Not typically my thing but i think the fascination is with what went wrong that someone committed such an act.

[DryGermanGuy]

I like all the procedural/technical aspects of the investigations.

[MrChinaski]

Civilization forces people to repress aggression, so it provides a vicarious outlet. Freud, etc.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Civilization would be sad if she could hear you, she wants so much to channel aggressivity, instead of repressing it

[loveslongnails]

I stopped watching those years ago. It got too depressing viewing stupid, sick and criminal human behavior.

[FunkyMonkee]

Everybody's got an itch that needs scratching. Some of us just take a while to find or develop it.

[Iron_Man]

I can’t stand those shows All those killings especially the narrator’s voice in the background sounds of music

[genericname85]

i have no idea. i'm not getting it. it's super boring to me.

[Anonymous]

Better than “reality” shows because these are actually reality.

[AngryCarl3]

I mainly enjoy the detection.

[WhitneySnow]

They are like mysteries but real

[FrodoSkywalker007]

It seems a female obsession 🤷‍♂️

[Paige2006]

Because they are true

[bradyhawkesjr73]

Lots of us are entranced by villains.