Serial Killing on Screen: Adaptation, True Crime and Popular Culture

Serial Killing on Screen: Adaptation, True Crime, and Popular Culture explores the representation of real-life serial murders on screen and in popular culture, raising questions about the adaptation and representation of true crime in popular culture and the ideologies at stake in such narratives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 382 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book delves into the exploration of real-life serial murders as they have been adapted for the screen and permeated popular culture. Through the compilation of essays from esteemed international scholars, Serial Killing on Screen: Adaptation, True Crime, and Popular Culture critically examines the profound impact that the screen has had in shaping the representation, (re)construction, and widespread accessibility of the most unsettling real-life crimes. Positioned at the intersection of film and screen studies, theatre studies, cultural studies, criminology, and sociology, this interdisciplinary collection raises thought-provoking questions and offers insightful implications regarding the adaptation and representation of true crime in popular culture, as well as the underlying ideologies embedded within such narratives. It delves into the intricate interplay between the adaptation of real-life serial murder and various cultural markers such as gender, race, class, disability, as well as aspects of criminology, including offenders, victims, policing, and profiling. Additionally, it explores the psychological dimensions of these crimes, including psychopathy, sociopathy, and paraphilia.

What sets this collection apart is its unique focus on the adaptation of crimes committed by notorious real-life criminal figures who have gained international notoriety for their prolific offenses. Examples include Ted Bundy, Ian Brady, Myra Hindley, Aileen Wuornos, Jack the Ripper, and the Zodiac. By contextualizing the tales of these crimes and the victim stories within the realm of adaptation studies, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complexities and challenges associated with translating real-life events into cinematic narratives.

Through its comprehensive analysis, Serial Killing on Screen: Adaptation, True Crime, and Popular Culture sheds light on the ways in which the screen has become a powerful medium for shaping public perceptions, influencing societal attitudes, and contributing to the ongoing dialogue about crime, justice, and the human condition. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, providing a deeper understanding of the intersection between media, culture, and the darker aspects of human behavior.

Weight: 657g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031178115
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023