As a true crime enthusiast and student of criminology, I wholeheartedly appreciate David Wilson’s insights into the portrayal of serial killers in movies and TV shows. His extensive experience working with actual murderers lends an unparalleled authenticity to his analysis.
Enthusiasts of true crime, here’s an update for you. One of the leading authorities in the field of serial killers and criminal profiling, David Wilson, has emerged as a valuable resource to assess the portrayal of serial killers in films and television shows. Known for his academic works such as “Serial Killers and the Phenomenon of Serial Murder: A Student Textbook ” and “Images of Incarceration: Representations of Prison in Film and Television Drama“, Wilson’s insights are highly sought after.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Wilson discusses and dissects renowned sequences and characters from the realm of serial killer films and series on television. He shares his personal favorites, highlights some standouts, and critically discusses how the media often distorts truth for dramatic effect. The sensationalized portrayal of serial killers in Hollywood is a common trend, as evident even in the most influential works within this genre. Among the movies and shows he examined are:
Dexter: “A Mission-Orientated Serial Killer”
In this analysis, Wilson examined the main character of the popular TV show, Dexter, who is on a continuous quest to purify the world from other serial killers. According to Wilson, Dexter falls under the category of ‘the mission-driven serial killer.’ This type of killer is driven by a mission to eliminate serial killers, which is quite common among real-life serial killers. Notably, Dexter has an intricate method of operation and a distinct signature.
Hannibal Lecter: “A Particular Favorite of Mine”
Hannibal Lecter, a renowned fictional serial killer in films, is perhaps cinema’s most iconic character. Wilson sheds light on this complex character, appearing in numerous movies (including the acclaimed TV series and “The Silence of the Lambs” directed by Jonathan Demme). Wilson stated, “Hannibal Lecter exhibits behavior that I’ve found to be quite authentic in my line of work. When I interview killers, they tend to open up to me once they’ve seen my resume. They seem to appreciate knowing they’re being interviewed by the best.
Zodiac: “They Don’t Want to See You as Another Human Being”
In David Fincher’s 2007 crime thriller, Zodiac, during the famous picnic scene, Wilson observed about the Zodiac Killer: “In my experience, a serial killer’s origin often stems from a sexual fantasy. I believe we see hints of this sexual fantasy in this clip, with elements of bondage and control. He desires his victims to beg for their lives before he takes them. This act gives him a sense of sexual power, control, making him the person he aspires to be.
John Doe: “They Want to Be Seen as Extraordinary”
Wilson shared insights about John Doe from the iconic thriller “Se7en” and his peculiar approach towards handling evidence. He clarified, “Some serial killers do leave traces, which some might refer to as clues. However, it’s not because they want to be caught. The clues are not intentionally left, nor is the evidence for that matter.
By the conclusion of their killing spree, they often function in a moral realm dissimilar to ours – one we might not comprehend. They seem oblivious to the fact that their actions are strange and extraordinary, which is why items left at crime scenes can be crucial for identifying them.
Norman Bates: “I Wouldn’t Necessarily Describe Norman Bates as a Psychopath”
The criminologist further discusses Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror film, Psycho, and its character, the seemingly harmless Norman Bates portrayed by Anthony Perkins. Wilson argues that both Hitchcock and the movie held outdated perspectives on gender and psychopathy. “Anthony Perkins delivers an exceptional performance as a specific archetype, or trope, of what we now recognize as a serial killer,” Wilson began. “Where Hitchcock misses the mark is in attributing the driving force behind serial killings to these transgressive sexual identities.
Additionally, it’s clear that the character portrayal aims to depict Norman Bates as genuinely psychotic rather than a full-blown psychopath. While Norman Bates may exhibit certain psychopathic tendencies in his character, I perceive him more as suffering from some form of psychosis. This is evident through his experiences with auditory and visual hallucinations, suggesting he’s living in a distorted reality.
Ed Kemper: “What Do We Do with the Ed Kempers of the World?”
As a dedicated cinephile captivated by the depths of human psyche, I can’t help but reflect on my thoughts about Edward Kemper, one of the earliest serial killers extensively profiled and analyzed – a figure you might recognize from the gripping series Mindhunter on Netflix. To shed some light, I must share that John E. Douglas and Robert Ressler did indeed interview no less than 36 convicted serial killers, marking a significant milestone in the FBI’s comprehension of this complex criminal phenomenon. Among these interviews was with none other than Ed Kemper, whose chilling tale has left an indelible mark on our understanding of such heinous acts.
The scene depicted is a shockingly real portrayal of his actions, which include the murder, beheading, and sexual acts involving his mother’s corpse. Every detail presented is factual and accurate.
It appears that a common factor among many serial killers is an underlying sexual fantasy that escalates over time, leading them to desire to bring this fantasy to life. Each individual will have their own reasons for doing so, and these motives are unique to them. In our contemporary society, the question arises: how do we deal with individuals like Ed Kemper? Capital punishment by means of torture is not an option. Kemper himself requested the death penalty. Many serial killers I’ve encountered can exhibit a surprising sense of morality in other aspects of their lives.
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2024-10-06 06:03