Netflix’s “Monster”… How did real killers become a mass phenomenon? | art

After the great success of the series “Monster” about Jeffrey Dahmer in 2022, Netflix is ​​expanding this project by turning it into an anthology series released with new seasons every year, highlighting the most terrifying and complex American killers throughout history.

Despite the public demand, controversy still exists about the ethical limits of presenting the stories of real killers as entertainment material, especially among the families of the victims, who see in these works a kind of reliving the pain and glorifying the perpetrators.

What makes the controversy even more heated is the way in which some killers turn into figures who have a number of admirers, including celebrities. A clip circulating on social media platforms from one of Ariana Grande’s meetings sparked widespread controversy, after she said that the character she would like to have dinner with was Jeffrey Dahmer, which, according to many, reflects how society’s view of murderers and criminals changes when their stories turn into successful dramatic works.

Did she kill her father or escape justice?

After the release of the “Ed Gein” season, Netflix officially announced the story that will be covered in the fourth season of the “Monster” series, which revolves around one of the most controversial crimes in American history: the case of Lizzie Borden, the woman who was accused of committing a brutal murder in 1892 and still raises questions today.

Lizzie Borden emerged as a quiet and religious girl who belonged to a rich and conservative family, but she lived under the authority of a cruel and violent father, and in return she suffered internally from a stifling life. Her father was found killed with 11 ax blows, while his wife received 18 blows. Although Lizzie was in the house at the time of the crime, she completely denied any connection with it, and was acquitted due to the absence of conclusive evidence and witnesses, which made the case an open mystery until now.

Ella Patty will play the role of Lizzie Borden in the new season, while Charlie Hunnam – who co-starred in the third season – will return to portray her father, and Rebecca Hall will join the role of the stepmother.

The “Monster” series began its journey with Jeffrey Dahmer in the first season, showcasing how he was able to commit horrific crimes over the years without being held accountable. The season focused on his motivations and psychological state since childhood, and clearly revealed the failure of the regime and the police to protect victims, in a dark and realistic visual style.

In the second season, the series dealt with the case of the brothers Lyle and Eric Menendez, who were accused of killing their parents. It delved into the complexities of family relationships and the harsh psychological conditions inside the home, showing the viewer how motives for murder can form within a turbulent family environment.

As for the third season, released this year, it went into a more strange and brutal story by dealing with the life of Ed Gein, the killer who was accused of murder and digging up graves after the death of his mother. Despite the cruelty and shock of the scenes, which some considered disgusting, the season presented a different perspective on the psychological roots of disorders and criminal behavior.

I finished watching the third season, it is very impressive, much better than the story of Lyle and Eric, very bloody, disgusting bold scenes. I can say that Ed Gene (Eddie) was a 100% victim, an outcast. No one decided to help him. He had a bad childhood, and the result of the mother is Eddie. I found myself sad at the end of the series. I was wondering.#Netflix lix
#MonsterTheEdGeinStory pic.twitter.com/OZVe0LXZs1

— Dr. MOHAMMED Bin AHMED⚜️ (@MAFQ__) October 7, 2025

Are we seeking to understand the darkness or do we enjoy it?

The stories of the killers have become a prominent cultural phenomenon, inspiring films, series, psychological novels, and even social media content. With each new season, the “Monster” series presents a different angle of the world of evil: from serial killers, to domestic violence, to mental disorders and psychological terrorism. It does not merely narrate the events, but rather places the viewer at the heart of the crime, to live its details instead of observing it from afar.

A recent European study indicates that the majority of followers of real crimes do not do so out of curiosity or glorifying the killer, but rather a desire to understand the psychological and social backgrounds that drive criminals to commit their actions. The study also showed that many people resort to this type of content as a way to regulate their feelings and deal with their fears.

Biologically, some psychologists explain human attraction to violent stories as an extension of the survival instinct that shaped our early ancestors. Being aware of potential threats was a prerequisite for survival. Hence, crime stories play a role similar to an “internal warning system” that helps us recognize dangers.

But this fascination with darkness has another side; Excessive consumption of this type of content may turn curiosity into anxiety, and increase feelings of fear and tension, which requires a degree of critical awareness when viewing these works so that they remain a means of understanding, and not a source of psychological disturbance.