Why Are We So Attracted to Murder Mysteries?
Written by Nastassia Tsialpuk
Why are we as humans so fascinated with blood-curdling stories of serial killers, and why do we derive a sort of guilty pleasure from indulging in consuming them? What kind of masochistic tendencies make us want to flip through the gruelling details of a crime, and what’s more, how come we find it cozy and relaxing?
This paradox has become ever more evident with the rising popularity of true crime podcasts, shows, and books in recent years, particularly among women. It may seem baffling or even concerning how something so violent can actually bring someone peace after a long day at work. I know I’ve certainly found myself questioning my morals after going down an internet rabbit hole of a random horror story from someone I’ve never heard of, which is why I thought it may be interesting to take a deeper look into some of the underlying reasons that make us enjoy such seemingly unsettling forms of entertainment.
While it makes sense that we tend to go for media that evoke strong emotional responses, the question remains why we willingly choose to consume media that produces such powerful negative emotions. You’d think we’d choose to use our free will for something a little more positive, but for some reason, we opt for horror and mystery instead. Humans’ interest in violence is definitely not new, so why is it that we seek out unpleasant images, not only in murder mysteries but also in media such as videos of car accidents, news coverage of disasters, and stories of dangerous individuals? Humans seem to hold an interest particularly in dangers that come from other humans, which may be part of the explanation of why true crime has gotten so popular and satisfies humans’ so-called “morbid curiosity”.
In a 2025 study called “Out of the dark – Psychological perspectives on people’s fascination with true crime,” Corinna Perchtold-Stefan et. al explore some of the deeper psychological causes for our dark curiosity for the grotesque. They conclude that enjoying negative media is not equivalent to obtaining pleasure from others’ suffering, but is rather a way to form a perception of reality through world-building and an awareness of potential dangers. One theory claims that curiosity for true crime may actually be an evolutionary response of monitoring information regarding fitness to assess chances of survival and better adapt to threats. So, in a way, by observing horror or watching reels about accidents we’re not stressing ourselves out for fun, but rather informing ourselves on the potential dangers of our world out there, creating a feeling of preparedness, all while staying within the comfort and safety of our homes and not having to actually experience such misfortunes firsthand in order to know of them.
Another interesting discovery is that true crime specifically is consumed predominantly by women, which may seem paradoxical considering that women tend to display less violent tendencies and a greater fear of crime, due to frequently being its victims. Research shows that this may actually be women’s way of finding information in order to be able to anticipate dangerous situations, as women have been shown to conduct more risk information-seeking than men. This too can be linked to evolutionary responses, as women are often more prone to engaging with storytelling, and can thus use it to gain relevant information about their own fitness through others’ unpleasant experiences. Maybe this means that listening to a 30-minute podcast about a serial killer is actually… research?
Moreover, engaging with horror media or immersive experiences can actually serve as a training mechanism to manage emotions of anxiety in real life. Facing such fears in a regulated simulation-like environment can help individuals build emotional regulation skills and serve as practice for tolerating real-life negative experiences. Especially for women, this can allow them to face fears in an entertaining way, making them feel aware of the worst-case scenario, which can be psychologically beneficial. This explains why us anxious girls may find such gory stories relaxing.
Moreover, according to The Guardian, in some cases reading stories of crime and violence may actually serve an empathetic purpose for those who have experienced it themselves, particularly women, offering a sense of catharsis to deal with personal fears of vulnerability or to channel indignation regarding the stories of others.
The comfort we find in true crime stories may be due to the reapplication of personal fears into a more predictable and controlled context, according to Psychology Today. This is why ending an anxiety-ridden day with a true crime story, despite its eerie content, may appear relaxing. The uncertainties of our own lives are transferred onto a removed external canvas, allowing us to more easily engage in emotional regulation. This also explains why true crime surged in popularity in recent years – in an unpredictable and stressful global climate, consuming such powerful emotional media can allow individuals to process their real-life worries in a more structured format. In the end, isn’t the best medicine for taking your mind off of your own troubles sometimes to turn it to someone else’s?
All of these findings demonstrate that, beyond emotional engagement, there are indeed a myriad of underlying psychological characteristics that make true crime and the like so appealing to our brains. So, the next time you find yourself curling up with a steaming cup of tea and a blanket to a new murder mystery and start questioning your morals, don’t blame yourself – after all, it’s only human nature.