For the longest time, people loved the shining hero who defeats the big bad villain. Good defeats evil, everybody’s happy, end of the story. Now, with the rise of the morally gray main character, and the antagonist that viewers and readers can sympathize with, preferences are starting to change. The villains are taking over. Of course, some of this is a good thing. People are starting to realize that not all “villains” are fully evil, and heroes don’t have to be perfect. But an infatuation with the bad guys is starting to become a fantasy that could be dangerous.
In September 2022, the TV show Dahmer was released on Netflix, causing an uproar. Dahmer has always been a big figure in pop culture, but this show brought a new wave of popularity. Many were disgusted by the show, a very normal reaction. This was a man who lured men into his home, had sex with them, killed them, and took their body parts as souvenirs. The show was meant to be disturbing. What was less expected though, was the alarming number of people who became obsessed with him. Comments and videos from users say that they wouldn’t mind if he took them home, or that he’s so hot that they would die for him. In fictional cases, this wouldn’t be too much of an issue. Weird and creepy? Yes. A genuine problem that needs to be addressed? Maybe, but not one too pressing. But this was a real man, and his victims were real. The victims’ families are watching thirst traps of a man who raped and killed someone close to them take over the internet. Now more than ever, there is a startling increase in the number of people thinking that committing crimes like this is hot, and the line between reality and a disgusting illusion is blurring. With someone as dangerous as a serial killer, especially someone like Dahmer, who knew how to charm his victims, this is very dangerous. And the thing is, the person those people were so enamored with wasn’t even Dahmer, it was the idea of him, mixed with the actor for the show, Evan Peters. This has become so common, it even has its own name: hybristophilia. A disorder in which a person sees criminals as misunderstood, sexy, and in need of love. Of course, there is always a gray area. Being a criminal doesn’t necessarily make you a bad person. But a serial killer like Dahmer is someone past redemption. He ruined so many lives, and this sickening rave must stop.