There is certainly something alluring about fictional serial killers on the big and small screens, whether it is the deranged mind of Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter or the moody Dexter Morgan. These characters manage their own perverted moral code while attempting to outwit those hunting them, and nevertheless manage to make us root for them in spite of their horrifying crimes. These characters have captivated the public’s imagination for decades, whether it is due to the attraction of their brilliance and cunning or the excitement of witnessing them elude arrest.
What, though, about these characters—in spite of their awful crimes—inspires us to cheer for them? As we dig into the world of films and TV series that somehow have us rooting for serial killers, it’s a question worth addressing.
Dexter (2006 – 2013)
From 2006 to 2013, the American television drama Dexter was shown. The program centers on Dexter Morgan, a vigilante serial killer and forensic technician for the Miami Police Department. Despite the fact that Dexter is a killer, fans are drawn to him for various reasons, including the show’s original premise, the depth of his character, and Michael C. Hall’s commanding presence.
According to the depiction in the show, Dexter only kills other murderers and criminals who have eluded prosecution. He is described as a “code-driven” killer. Due of the moral ambiguity this causes, it is challenging for viewers to totally criticize Dexter’s acts. The program also focuses on the character’s inner conflict and his attempt to balance his thirst for vengeance with his wish to live a normal life. Dexter’s connections with other individuals are also examined in the series, as well as how they influence his behavior. It also shows how his dark passenger—the inner voice that tempts him to murder—affects his life and how he manages it. Even though the main character is a serial killer, Dexter is a really interesting and intriguing drama that keeps fans wondering and engrossed in the plot.
Hannibal (2013 – 2015)
The renowned Dr. Hannibal Lecter persona is the focus of the critically acclaimed psychological horror-thriller television series Hannibal, which is portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen. The Bryan Fuller-created television show focuses on Lecter’s early friendship with FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), before the events of Thomas Harris’ books and movies.
Mikkelsen’s superb performance, in which he communicates a sense of elegance and refinement while still hinting at the character’s darker inclinations, is among the factors that make viewers cheer for Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Lecter. He gives one of the greatest performances in the character to date, with his portrayal of Lecter being both terrifying and compelling. He actually took home awards for Best TV Villain at the 2015 IGN Awards and Best Actor in a Television Series at the 2014 Saturn Awards.
Some reviewers claim that the show romanticizes Joe’s stalking and murder, which has raised questions about how the show handles Joe’s character. Sera Gamble, the show’s creator, has said that Joe is not meant to be a likeable or sympathetic character and that the program is instead meant to be a statement on how social media and technology can facilitate stalker behavior.
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Gerard Butler plays Clyde Shelton in Law Abiding Citizen, a man whose wife and children were brutally killed during a home invasion. As the two murderers are offered a plea deal and given low sentences, the plot revolves around Shelton’s pursuit of justice. Shelton, a master manipulator, decides to act on his own and launches a terror campaign against the district attorney, whom he holds accountable for the light sentencing.
Many viewers find themselves rooting for Shelton despite the fact that he turns into a vigilante and begins killing people because the movie depicts the legal system as being dishonest and unable to protect the victims. Because of the death of his family and the perceived injustice in the court system, Shelton is depicted in the movie as seeking revenge, and many viewers may identify with him as a result. Some viewers may find Clyde intriguing since he is portrayed as a clever and resourceful character who can outwit both the law and the bad guys.
Nightcrawler (2014)
Getting ready to shoot a criminal scene for NightcrawlerOpen Road Films, Jake Gyllenhaal.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Louis “Lou” Bloom in Dan Gilroy’s crime-thriller Nightcrawler. Louis “Lou” Bloom is a driven and ambitious young man who works as a freelance crime journalist in Los Angeles. Lou is a character whom viewers can find themselves rooting for due to his great ambition and determination. Lou’s ambition to achieve and readiness to do whatever it takes to advance are traits that many viewers can identify with, even though they are morally dubious. Gyllenhaal’s performance is especially compelling because he completely inhabits the role, instilling the viewer with anxiety as they witness Lou’s spiral into darkness. Lou is a complex and fascinating character whom viewers can’t help but be pulled to because of Gyllenhaal’s terrifying and charming performances of him. He even received eight honors for his performance as Best Actor in Nightcrawler at various award shows.
The Fall (2013 – 2016)
British crime drama The Fall made its television debut in 2013 on RTÉ One in Ireland and BBC Two in the UK. The investigation into a serial killer who targets young women in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is the focus of the drama, which stars Jamie Dornan. Despite the fact that Paul Spector is a cold-blooded murderer, viewers are attracted to him and many end up rooting for him. This is because of a number of things, including Jamie Dornan’s powerful performance, the show’s exploration of Spector’s motivations, and the depth of Spector’s character.
In order to give viewers a deeper understanding of both characters and their actions, The Fall also employs a distinctive narrative structure that switches between the perspectives of Spector and the police detective, played by Gillian Anderson, tasked with finding him. This makes it challenging for viewers to totally reject Spector; instead, they find themselves supporting him despite the fact that he still commits horrible crimes.
The Following (2013 – 2015)
From 2013 to 2015, Fox broadcast the crime drama television series The Following. The plot of the show revolves around Kevin Bacon’s character, former FBI agent Ryan Hardy, and his efforts to find and apprehend Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), a charismatic and brilliant serial killer who has a cult of followers who assist him in carrying out his killings. Joe Carroll is the major antagonist of the program, but despite this, viewers find themselves rooting for him due to his endearing demeanor, brilliance, and portrayal as a tragic figure who is driven to kill by his past traumas.
Additionally, the show’s emphasis on the bizarre dynamic between Ryan Hardy and Joe Carroll, as well as the deception and mind games they play, keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and makes it difficult not to care about the outcome of the plot.
The Final Destination Franchise
The James Wong-directed movie from 2000 that launched the Final Destination franchise revolves around the idea of Death, an eerie force that pursues a cast of humans who had avoided death by acting on a premonition. The intricate and inventive death scenes included in the franchise, which frequently feature gory set pieces, are most likely the reason viewers support Death. These moments are fascinating to viewers because they are made to be both frightening and visually arresting. Another explanation would be that the franchise explores ideas like fate, destiny, and the effects of one’s choices, which makes it an exciting and gripping show that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Hellraiser Franchise
The character of Pinhead, a sadomasochistic demon and leader of the Cenobites, extra-dimensional beings who are called to Earth through the use of a mysterious puzzle box known as the Lament Configuration, is at the center of the Hellraiser franchise, which started with the 1987 film directed by Clive Barker. Because of Pinhead’s complicated motivations and background, viewers can find themselves rooting for the character. Pinhead is a scary and merciless killer, but he also serves as a cosmic justice agent who punishes those who try to avoid dying or give in to forbidden urges. The figure also stands out as a distinct and unforgettable enemy thanks to his iconic appearance and style.
Additionally, Doug Bradley, who played Pinhead in multiple movies, gives the character a feeling of intelligence and nuance, making him a more complex and compelling villain than just a simple murderer. Even better, he received two nominations for Best Actor and ended up winning for the 1996 film Hellraiser: Bloodline at the Fantafestival. Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002) won the first prize at the 2003 DVD Exclusive Awards, and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth took home the second prize at the 1992 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.
The Saw Franchise
The figure of John Kramer, better known as “Jigsaw,” a serial killer who captures his victims and submits them to lethal traps to teach them the value of life, is at the focus of the Saw franchise, which started with the 2004 James Wan-directed movie. The peculiar and warped moral code of John Kramer may enable viewers to find themselves rooting for the guy. Jigsaw is a murderer, but he feels that all of his victims are “lost souls” that need to be made to learn a lesson. He sees himself as a sort of vigilante who promotes the value of human life. The complex, inventive, and gory nature of Jigsaw’s traps also fascinates viewers and keeps them interested.
Another factor would be the subtlety and intelligence added to the character by actor Tobin Bell, who played Jigsaw in multiple movies. Bell’s portrayal elevates Jigsaw from a simple killer to a more complex and compelling antagonist.
You (2018 – Present)
The television program You premiered on Lifetime in 2018 and afterwards on Netflix. Joe Goldberg, the protagonist of the program, is a bookstore manager who is crazy over a client named Beck. Using her social media accounts and private information, Joe starts stalking Beck and interfering in her life. It becomes obvious that Joe is a serial killer as the show goes on. However, a lot of fans have discovered themselves pulling for Joe, maybe as a result of his endearing and captivating personality or the way the show justifies his acts by his devotion to Beck.
