Human fascination with fear has been a constant throughout history, manifesting in folklore, gothic literature, urban legends, and modern entertainment like horror films and true crime podcasts. In both horror and true crime, the act of engaging with fear in controlled settings provides unique psychological, cultural, and emotional benefits. This piece examines the parallels between the rising popularity of horror during societal crises and the curious phenomenon of women relaxing or even falling asleep to true crime podcasts. These trends reveal insights into how humans process fear and why these genres thrive in specific contexts.
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Fear as Entertainment in a Troubled World
Horror movies have long acted as mirrors to societal anxiety. When the world feels unstable, horror tends to flourish. Historical trends illustrate this relationship clearly. During the Great Depression, Universal’s classic monster films such as Dracula and Frankenstein captivated audiences, offering symbolic representations of the fears of the time: financial ruin, death, and loss of control. Similarly, post-9/11 cinema saw a rise in brutal, visceral horror like Saw and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, reflecting the collective unease and vulnerability that defined the era.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked another boom for horror. Movies like Host (2020) filmed entirely over Zoom, and the paranoia-infused The Invisible Man (2020) resonated deeply with audiences grappling with isolation and uncertainty. Even the 2011 thriller Contagion, which follows the spread of a deadly pandemic started trending on Netflix in March of 2020. It would seem only logical for people to turn away from the real-life horrors that are all around them, but instead watching their realities dramatized on screen could offer a safe space to process and reflect on what’s happening. As such, horror not only mirrors the anxieties of its era but also offers audiences a controlled way to confront those fears.
This sense of control is a key element in the genre’s appeal. Horror provides a "safe scare," where audiences can experience fear and adrenaline without real-world consequences. Watching a protagonist survive—often against overwhelming odds—offers a form of catharsis. In times of crisis, when many feel powerless, this act of vicarious survival can be profoundly comforting.
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True Crime: A Different Kind of Fear
True crime occupies a unique space within this spectrum of fear-based entertainment. Its appeal lies not in fictional monsters or supernatural scares but in the chilling reality that the stories are real. For many women, true crime is especially compelling—and paradoxically soothing. The reasons for this are layered, combining psychological, social, and cultural factors.
Controlled Fear and Practical Empowerment
Just as horror provides a "safe scare," true crime offers a similar experience, but with an added layer of utility. For women, who face higher risks of certain crimes, true crime can feel empowering. These stories often delve into the minds of perpetrators, reveal red flags, and outline the investigative process that leads to justice. This knowledge might provide a sense of preparedness, turning fear into something manageable and actionable.
Interestingly, many women report feeling relaxed or even falling asleep while listening to true crime podcasts. The transformation of anxiety into a sense of readiness, could be the reason some women even find true crime sleep inducing.
This phenomenon may also stem from the structured, predictable nature of the stories. Episodes often follow a clear format: the crime is introduced, the investigation is detailed, and, in many cases, a resolution is reached. This sense of order can be comforting, especially in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain.
Narrative as Comfort
Beyond the practical, true crime podcasts are also deeply compelling because of their storytelling. They humanize victims, explore the complexities of justice, and often provide closure. The steady voice of a narrator recounting events can also serve as a form of white noise, helping to unwind or focus the mind.
Fascination in a gruesome world
It’s also natural to have an innate curiosity when it comes to horrific things that are, hopefully, far removed from our day to day. To investigate how and why someone could be so capable of terrible crimes is to explore a side of humanity that most people can never truly understand. To wonder at the monsters are actually just human is to marvel at the spectrum of humanity, and that is something that will always be innate.
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Gendered Aspects of True Crime’s Appeal
The phenomenon of women gravitating toward true crime—and even finding it relaxing—has sparked much discussion. One theory suggests that true crime provides a sense of validation and understanding. Women often live with heightened awareness of personal safety, and true crime stories resonate because they reflect these lived experiences.
Moreover, true crime narratives often center on victims, many of whom are women. These stories humanize the victims and emphasize their agency, countering a culture that often sensationalizes violence against women. For female listeners, this might feel empowering, offering a perspective that aligns with their own concerns and experiences.
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Conclusion: Fear as a Cultural Mirror
The rising popularity of horror films during societal crises and the curious phenomenon of women relaxing to true crime podcasts highlight the complex ways in which humans engage with fear. These genres provide more than just entertainment; they offer tools for processing anxiety, understanding the world, and even finding comfort.
In a world that often feels unpredictable and dangerous, horror and true crime allow us to confront our fears—whether fictional or real—in a way that feels safe and manageable. They remind us that fear, when approached with curiosity and intention, can be a source of empowerment, resilience, and even relaxation.
As society continues to evolve and face new challenges, it’s likely that these genres will adapt, reflecting and refracting our collective anxieties. Whether through the chilling thrills of horror or the steady narrative of true crime, our fascination with fear will remain a powerful and enduring aspect of our culture.