In recent times, true crime has become a passion of many. Many people listen to podcasts, read biographies, or watch documentaries about crimes that intrigue them. Netflix has provided many different documentaries such as Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes, Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer, and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. 

In 2018, Cameron Herrin, a prominent TikToker, killed a mother and daughter in an illegal street race. People on TikTok and Twitter defended Cameron Herrin, the man responsible, saying he was too pretty for prison. People said he was too cute for 24 years of prison and that the amount of time was unreasonable. People blame this on pretty privilege; the idea of just because someone is pretty, they get treated differently. Yet, in the situation of a crime, pretty privilege should not exist. 

“In general, I wouldn’t say they’re ‘romanticized.’ The term ‘romanticize’ implies that these portrayals make the serial killer somehow heroic or admirable. And the few instances I can think of don’t really fit that description.  There are exceptions, like Zac Efron’s portrayal of Ted Bundy, but that could be due to the fact that Bundy had a reputation of being very charismatic in real life.  Other examples, like Ed Kemper in the series Mind Hunter, were certainly not romanticized,” said Michael Lizzio, a media teacher. “I don’t see Hollywood romanticizing them all that often, but Hollywood definitely takes advantage of people’s fascination with them and continues to produce more content.” Lots of people, especially on TikTok, attempt to sympathize with the serial killers to seem “quirky” and unique. “I don’t see a problem with people’s fascination with those types of characters, but romanticization is different, and can certainly be problematic,” said Lizzio. Those who romanticize the Hollywood version of criminals and serial killers do it because the criminal is being played by an actor or actress they like as a person. 

The way a serial killer is perceived through Hollywood eyes is different the way a fan perceives it. Hollywood portrays the serial killer as realistic as possible, while the fan may fantasize about the serial killer in that specific portrayal.