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If you’re an avid true crime fan, then chances are that you see a scary pattern happening. Instead of raising awareness of the victim’s points of view or looking into the justice system, a lot of true crime movies and documentaries are just focusing on the killer. Now, this would be fine if they focused on researching a killer’s mind, but instead, we get these “making of” documentaries that completely overshadow the victims of the crimes and further glamorize the killers and perpetrators. True crime is steadily becoming exploitative, and it’s genuinely terrifying.
Why do they keep hiring internet hotties like Ross Lynch, Evan Peters, and Zac Efron to play these awful, despicable human beings? It’s not a coincidence, and it’s honestly disturbing that so many people have started to idolize these serial killers.
Most recently, Lifetime made a movie about Gabby Petito, the young woman whose story captivated the nation. She was murdered by her boyfriend, which led to a nationwide manhunt in 2021. Now, they made a movie about it, and the critics agree: it’s exploitative as hell.
So this got us thinking: are there documentaries and films out there that put the victim and victim’s families first? Projects that show the realities of the situation, and how it’s forever affected them? Depressingly enough, there were not many out there. Either the alleged perpetrator had a hand in making it (yes, we’re talking about The Staircase), the family spoke outright against the film, or it was completely devoid of highlighting the victims.
It’s about time we focus on the victims of these crimes, instead of putting even brighter spotlights on Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. Now, what does it mean to be an “active true crime viewer?” Well, as Kendall Rae from YouTube puts it, it means you donate, you listen, you help in any way you can, and you realize that even when the movie ends, the horror doesn’t end for the families.
While there are few, they’re out there: here are non-exploitative true crime documentaries that put the victims first.
‘Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer’
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is a powerful docu-series about the infamous Night Stalker serial killer, and how he was eventually brought to justice. The series lets us hear from survivors, showing the true horror this monster brought upon innocent people.
Watch it on Netflix.
‘Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father’
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father follows the life of Andrew Bagby, who was murdered by a woman named Shirley Jane Turner, who was carrying their child named Zachary. Bagby’s close friend Kurt Kuenne interviewed relatives, friends, and associates of Bagby’s to create a film to honor Zachary’s late father, and stand as symbol of remembrance for him.
‘Finding Kendrick Johnson’
On Jan 11th, 2013, Kendrick Johnson was found dead in his high school gymnasium rolled up in a gym mat. Despite the suspicious circumstances, it was ruled an accident, but his family wants, and needs, to find the truth. This documentary hears from KJ’s family and close friends, shining a much-needed light on this harrowing story.
‘Abducted in Plain Sight’
Abducted in Plain Sight is an award-winning documentary about the kidnapping of Jan Broberg Felt, who was abducted by her neighbor Robert Berchtold in the 1970s. Broberg Felt had a huge hand in creating this, conducting multiple interviews throughout the dramatization. Her intention was to end the silence around sexual assault, and we get to see raw reactions from the family.
‘Children of God: Lost and Found’
Children of God: Lost and Found is a documentary created by former second-generation member Noah Thomson, who tries to find others who escaped the Christian cult he was held in for so long. It shows in-depth, real accounts of the victims, highlighting the pain and real emotions they felt.
‘Tales of the Grim Sleeper’
Tales of the Grim Sleeper is a documentary about the serial killer Lonnie David Franklin Jr., who was known as the Grim Sleeper. This film focuses on racial injustices, and how he was able to go undetected for nearly three decades because law enforcement reportedly didn’t prioritize those who weren’t white.
Watch it on Plex.
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