When we rehash subjects like serial killers, such as making movies about them or comparing them to a recent crimes, aren't we simply playing into their hands?

Serial killers don’t want to get caught. By definition they would rather go on and on killing anonymously than become famous. But what these warped individuals want doesn’t matter, it is what the many people they terrorise want that matters and they want to know who the killers are.

It’s unfortunate that the killers are the ones that are immortalized infamously and the victims are forgotten.

Like @flutherother , I don’t see serial killing as a contest for fame, neither on their part, nor on mine, nor for the victims. I don’t think they have an agenda like that.

Even with those killers who do seem to want to make a statement (who I think tends not to be serial killers per se, but more often are the ones who go on rampages, and some of the so-called “terrorists”), while I do see that they want to be talked about and understood, and I know some people do suggest what you suggest, to try not to “let them succeed” by saying what their manifesto was, even in those cases, I think that’s misguided. Partly because it’s usually impractical to prevent the spread of such information, but mostly because I think it’s much more valuable to understand and discuss what was going on in those cases.

The main type of killers that I’d like to see less media glorification of, is mobsters, particularly when it starts to actually be seen as a glamorous lifestyle choice by some people.

Serial killers want to stay quiet while killing. In movies it is showing their defeat. While it may look like they did a good job or a bad job they got caught. We see this in movies like scream. Another good example is if you watched Squid Game on Netflix the people running the game do everything to cover it up.

@KRD I did start watching Squid Game but I really couldn’t get into it.

You’re missing the primary function of the thing: It’s to make money.

So, I don’t want movies made, but recently my alma matter, Michigan State University, had a mass shooting, and I am a little annoyed how little it was covered, and shocked how many people I’ve come across who heard nothing about it. I’m
Not looking for weeks of coverage, and certainly not looking for a movie, but I think there is a balance between reporting and giving a person infamy. That’s a mas shooting and not a serial killer, but there is a similar concern regarding giving these people media attention.

Have you seen the show Dexter? I hate it, and think it’s horrible. I’ve seen movies about serial killers too. I hate them all, and see nothing redeeming about them.

When I was a young girl the Son of Sam killer was on the loose. I remember my mom cautioning me to never be alone outside (he wasn’t really going after girls my age) and just being aware a man was killing people.

@JLeslie Exactly! You mentioned Son of Sam and most people remember that name, even if they don’t recall his actual name (D.B.) which I won’t say. See how infamous he is? I bet, without looking it up, not many people except the ones directly involved, could name one of the victims. But this scum lives forever!

@Dig_Dug I know because I lived in New York at the time, we were being warned to be extra cautious. My aunt lived in Manhattan at the time, and I think my grandparents were still in The Bronx, they might have moved to Mt. Vernon by then. I lived in Hastings-on-Hudson just 15–25 miles outside of the city, depending what Borough you are coming from. I was there. The news needed to be warning people.

If the serial killer’s desire is to be famous, yes. My hope is that the entertainment industry popularizing serial killing might convince a potential serial killer who has no such desire to be famous to not go through with it or a potential victim to identify a threat before it’s too late.