The thrill, the mystery and the quest for justice
By IQRA AHMAD — arts@theaggie.org
From bestselling books to top-charting podcasts and binge-worthy Netflix documentaries, people are hooked on learning about crime. But, why? What is it about murder, mystery and mayhem that keeps us captivated, thrilled on the edge of our seats?
We devour shows like “Law and Order” and “Criminal Minds” and tune in religiously to “Crime Junkie” and “Dateline.” We lose ourselves in the spine-tingling and sometimes bone-chilling thrill within the pages of books like “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson or “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold. Even childhood favorites tap into the eerie paranormal and fictitious grandeur of fear with series like “Goosebumps” by R.L. Stine or “It” by Stephen King, showing that fear has a way of gripping us — sometimes literally.
So, what is it? What exactly fuels the fascination? It is the rush of a red herring? The adventure of playing detective? Or the irresistible challenge of solving a classic “whodunit?” Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: Crime is no longer just a genre, it’s a phenomenon we cannot look away from. Let’s look into why this may be.
In an effort to make sense of the world and unravel the perilous questions that consume our thoughts, we are drawn to understanding what drives individuals to commit crimes. The psychology behind a criminal’s descent into wrongdoing fascinates us, so much so that we eagerly grasp onto every clue, theory and backstory.
“We instinctively want to discover the ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘when,’ and ‘where’ so we can find out what makes criminals tick, and to better protect ourselves and our kin,” a BBC Science Focus article reads.
This innate curiosity drives a passion that makes obsession with true crime more than just entertainment; it’s a quest for understanding, survival and control in an unpredictable world. Perhaps the true allure lies in stepping into the shadows while knowing we can always close the book, press pause or flip the lights back on when things get too scary. This safety net makes the experience thrilling rather than terrifying.
Psychologist Paul Rozin’s concept of benign masochism may help explain this phenomenon. His research suggests that humans take pleasure in negative experiences, so long as they are perceived as safe. Meaning, the rush of fear, suspense or even discomfort is enjoyable because it allows humans to feel intense emotions without any real risks attached, according to Rozin’s research study published by the Cambridge University Press.
There’s also a deep-seated drive to uphold the long standing pursuit of justice. After all, with true crime comes true punishment. While true crime opens many eyes to the realm of criminal justice, it also taps into our natural instinct to seek justice. People empathize with victims and their families, yearning for closure and accountability, according to an article by the Prindle Post.
But beyond the excitement or the mystery, our fascination with crime reflects something deeper — our own humanity. Whether it’s the adrenaline rush of a well-crafted plot twist, the intellectual challenge of piecing together clues or the moral reckoning that comes with understanding justice, true crime speaks to something within us.
True crime is not just about indulging in fear from a safe distance, it’s about exploring the darkness to better understand the light. In the end, our obsession with crime is more than just entertainment, it’s a mirror, reflecting our deepest curiosities, fears and desires. And as long as the mystery remains, we’ll keep searching for answers.
Written by: Iqra Ahmad — arts@theaggie.org
