true-crime

7 Up and Coming Video Essay Creators To Check Out

Karla D. Galvan, The University of Texas at San Antonio

From True Crime to Film History, learn from some of YouTube’s brightest minds.…

November 29, 2023

Louis Theroux Marches into the Death Zone on ‘Hot Ones’

Renowned documentarian Louis Theroux tackles journalism’s biggest feat on "Hot Ones" where discusses polyamory, his favorite docs, and THAT rap. …

November 9, 2023

For an article about true crime television, two blonde women in jackets stand in front of a big head of a man with 70s style square glasses. They are set inside a black and white television set.

Desensitizing the World to True Crime

Julia Ray, Northern Arizona University

The trending true crime entertainments are making us less empathetic.…

October 31, 2023

In an article about season six of 'Black Mirror,' a large rectangular mirror shatters around the fist-sized imprint of a smiley face and flings shards of glass into an endless black void.

‘Black Mirror’ Season 6: Recap and Review

Anoushka Panganamamula, The Ohio State University

The latest installation of Netflix's popular sci-fi show is perhaps its most controversial.…

August 10, 2023

Illustration of Lady Gaga and her characters in 2021 true crime film "House of Gucci."

Lady Gaga Carries ‘House of Gucci’ on Her Well-Dressed Back

Virginia Laurie, Washington and Lee University

Despite the hype, the new fashion-based true crime film has garnered mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike.…

December 6, 2021

The Consumption of True Crime Takes a Toll on Mental Health

Trinity Crompton, Molloy College

These stories have leaked into nearly all forms of media. People casually consume such heavy content, but how is it affecting them?…

November 13, 2021

Illustration of characters from Only Murders in the Building

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Is Hulu’s Promising New Mystery-Comedy

Michelle Buckley, Chapman University

This show follows an unlikely trio that uses their true-crime obsession to crack a real murder that happened in their apartment building.…

August 11, 2021

An illustration of handcuffs and fingerprints for an article about the podcast "True Crime Obsessed." (Illustration by Katelyn McManis, Columbia College Chicago)

‘True Crime Obsessed’ Combines Real Cases With Comical Commentary

Kelsie Westmoreland, Washington and Lee University

Gillian Pensavalle and Patrick Hinds' hit podcast dives into documentaries about the most notorious cases with a comedic spin.…

June 26, 2021

Illustration of Elisa Lam in "Crime Scene"

‘Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel’ Is a Misfire

Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Netflix's latest docuseries focuses more on misleading conspiracies than facts and consequently reveals a problematic trend in the true crime genre.…

March 2, 2021

Illustration by Marlowe Pody for an article on Stephanie Soo

YouTuber Stephanie Soo Combines True Crime and Food for a Good Time

Samantha Havela, University of Michigan

The mukbanger has captivated audiences with her fun-loving personality, mouthwatering meals and innate storytelling abilities.…

February 8, 2021

Ethical True Crime Content Needs To Center the Victims

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

'American Murder: The Family Next Door' and the second season of 'Making a Murderer' serve as perfect examples of the moral questions the genre can encounter.…

October 27, 2020

‘Crime Junkie’ Podcast Doubles as Safety 101 for True Crime Fans

Hannah Reynoso, University of Iowa

Hosts Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat not only recount compelling tales of heinous crimes, but offer important advice for staying alive.…

July 29, 2020

‘Let’s Get Haunted’ Combines Comedy With the Paranormal

Madalyn Watson, Baylor University

Creators Nat and Aly draw in listeners with their friendly banter and exploration of haunted things in this casual podcast about all things spooky.…

July 24, 2020

Illustration by Ellen Budell of the Netflix show Unsolved Mysteries

‘Unsolved Mysteries’ Proves That the Allure Of Unsolved Crime Is Timeless

Starr Shapiro, Columbia University

Netflix's recent reboot taps into people’s fascination with unresolved cases in the hopes of getting justice for victims and their families.…

July 24, 2020

‘Morbid’ Explores the Ethics of True Crime Podcast Culture

Emily Jewett, University of San Diego

Some people question if the genre can truly be ethical, but the two hosts of this show are doing their best. …

July 6, 2020

Screenshot from true-crime documentary 'Audrie and Daisy.'

5 True-Crime Documentaries That Will Help You Move on From ‘Tiger King’

Lisa Lilianstrom, Northern Illinois University

If you're craving more real life drama, look no further than these gripping films and TV series.…

April 23, 2020

‘Wine and Crime’ Testifies to the Comedic Potential of True Crime

Abby Webb, Rice University

Hailing from Minnesota, these three friends drink wine and put their own spin on the true crime podcast.…

September 26, 2019

The Top True Crime Podcasts to Check Out on Spotify

Zailin Peña, Southern Adventist University

Dive deep into the true crime genre this summer.…

August 8, 2019

‘Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered’ Is the Perfect Blend of True Crime and Self-Help

Kristin Auld, St John’s University

Stay sexy and read this book. …

June 21, 2019

6 Shocking True-Crime Documentaries to Watch After You Finish ‘The Act’

Sarah Diggins, Ithaca College

The truth is always stranger than fiction.…

May 10, 2019

Season 2 of ‘The Sinner’ Explores the Pathology of a Child Killer

Shaina Lapuebla, Central Connecticut State University

Could you figure out why a 13-year-old would murder his parents?…

August 6, 2018

Here Are the Best True Crime Podcasts for the Modern Audiophile

Katie Sheets, University of Vermont

Don’t listen to any of these alone.…

July 31, 2018

These 3 Crime Fiction Books Are the Perfect Choice for Summer Reading

Anastasia Cottone, St. Bonaventure University

The real crime would be not giving them a chance.…

July 25, 2018

Why ‘BuzzFeed Unsolved’ Is the Perfect True Crime Show for Both Believers and Skeptics

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

The hosts disagree on everything, which leads to different perspectives and comedy gold.…

July 13, 2018

Why You Should Be Reading ‘I’ll Be Gone in the Dark’ Right Now

Karena Landler, Georgetown University

Not only will the story keep you up at night, it'll make you do something more terrifying: consider the investigator as a person.…

July 9, 2018

Why ‘In the Dark’ Is Basically ‘Serial,’ but Updated for 2018

Karena Landler, Georgetown University

Instead of asking "who," the podcast asks "why?"…

June 26, 2018

Itching to Solve a Cold Case? Try Subscribing to a Mystery Experience

Erika Skorstad, Champlain College

The delivered packages give you clues, documents, artifacts and even audio clips so real you might forget it's all a game.…

June 23, 2018

Crime Documentaries The Investigator: A British Crime Story

Here Are 4 Eerie Crime Documentaries to Watch This Summer

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

Between the blood and investigative prowess, these documentaries will remind you that being a detective is nothing like playing Clue with the family.…

June 11, 2018

The Benefits of Murder

Bethany Knickerbocker, Emerson College

How the ever changing genre of true crime helps society.…

October 12, 2017

I Enjoy True Crime Shows Guilt-Free, and You Can Too!

Jenna Ramsey, Seattle UniversityandGuest Contributor

The schadenfreude is just how you know it's working.…

January 27, 2016

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