We all love monsters. From Dracula and King Kong to the Wolfman and Freddy Krueger, our affection for these fictionalized beasts has been satisfied through film and television for over a century. The disconnect between the audience and the world in which these monsters exist is part of the enjoyment and escapism that horror has always sought to provide us. However, a very real evil lurks among us in the shadows and treads the same path as we do. This evil takes the form of individuals with a predatory nature who lack empathy for others. It’s an evil that we find repulsive and fascinating, and much like the fictionalized creations of Hollywood, they’ve also been incarnated on film and television.
Whether it’s the depiction of Adolf Hitler in Downfall or the true-crime series Monster: The Jeffrey Damher Story on Netflix, the humanization of evil attracts controversy but is also essential in allowing audiences to understand the darker side of human nature. The disconnect and escapism found in horror movies are crucial for providing entertainment. When depicting real evil and true crime, it’s important to remember that when the credits roll, these are the actions of real human beings, the same ones that live among us.
Confronting the Controversy
The controversy generated by films and television series that have humanized some of the most evil individuals to exist is certainly understandable. Watching serial killers such as Aileen Wuornos, Ted Bundy, and Jeffrey Dahmer lead lives under a discernable level of normalcy removed from their crimes can sometimes feel like they’re portrayed as victims of circumstance and upbringing, almost as if they’re entitled to some level of empathy, despite them not showing any to their victims.
The humanization of evil can sometimes lead to feelings of repulsion, disgust, and discomfort. Which, arguably, is the intention. A common aspect that many modern true-crime documentaries and horror films share is the disconnect between the audience and what’s being depicted. The scenarios sometimes become simply part of an overarching narrative and escapism rather than confronting the darker side of human nature. Giving these heinous actions a human face, delving into their environment and motivation, and portraying the perpetrators as ordinary people is essential to reminding us that these individuals live among us and aren’t fabrications of a screenwriter with an over-developed imagination.
Perhaps it’s far more important to consider humanizing evil as a confrontation rather than a controversy. Take, for instance, Bruno Ganz’s portrayal of Adolf Hitler in Downfall. The audience is confronted with the decrepit shell of a madman as his evil empire crumbles around him. By portraying who’s unquestionably the most evil figure in human history with the same complex range of emotions that any ordinary individual possesses, we’re reminded of how thin the veil that separates good and evil truly is. This confrontation is vital to understanding how evil persists in the world and how others allow it to.
Removing the Mask of Sanity
Notwithstanding the controversial and confrontational aspects of humanizing evil, this presentation cannot ignore a benefit: eradicating what’s referred to as the mask of sanity. A phrase coined by psychiatrist Hervey M. Cleckly in his book of the same name, The Mask of Sanity, refers to the ability of psychopaths to mimic the behavior patterns of normal individuals, therefore hiding their lack of empathy and true psychotic nature. In many cases of real-life serial killers, the mask of sanity has allowed them to operate for years while going undetected. Individuals such as Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy led seemingly normal lives while undertaking some of the most vicious actions imaginable.
Many films that have humanized serial murder and true crime thrive on eliminating the mask of sanity from these individuals. The viewing audience witnesses first-hand how the most callous and evil people can blend in with society at large and walk among us. Films such as 10 Rillington Place illustrate how effective the mask of sanity can be. Richard Attenborough’s portrayal of serial killer Steve Christie, seen by many as a quiet elderly English gentleman, in actuality, meticulously plots deception while murdering his unsuspecting victims.
As a fervent admirer of fictional monsters that haunt our nightmares, I ponder over what sets them apart from the real-life beasts who’ve left deep, unhealing scars on humanity – such as Adolf Hitler. It’s in understanding and humanizing these monstrous figures that we pierce through their carefully crafted facades of sanity and gain profound insights into how they function. By delving into the complexities of their minds, we can better comprehend the chilling depths to which humanity can sink.
The True Nature of Evil
If there was ever any doubt as to why it’s essential for evil to be humanized, the words of serial killer Ted Bundy are all too telling regarding its importance. “We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere…there will be more of your children dead tomorrow.” While it would be all too easy to assume that there’s good in the world, the reality is that evil exists; it perpetuates and lurks all around us, often going undetected. While humanizing evil might be unsettling, confrontational, and, in some cases, controversial, it’s a vital necessity.
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2025-03-17 00:19