Need something new to watch? Well, Netflix has recently come out with a new documentary series about notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, fulfilling the growing fascination people seem to be having today about murderers, serial killers and psychopaths. The series, Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, is available to stream by anyone ready to be terrified by one of America’s most gruesome serial killers. Here is what I have to say about this new, murder docu-series.
Simultaneously chilling and intriguing, this series unveils the story of the psychoanalysis of the (some say) good-looking and “charming” murderer. Before releasing the series, Netflix tweeted, warning viewers not to watch this alone (joking or not, I took the advice). The importance of these tapes, though, comes from the behaviour and persona of Bundy, of his sheer charisma, confidence and how the media continued to portray him.
The media, throughout Bundy’s arrest, painted a picture of an attractive man rather than the serial killer he was. Coverage was aimed at the fact that Bundy was successful, a graduate and in no way a “usual” murderer. Bundy came across as more of a violent weirdo than someone who could actually commit such horrendous crimes.
Throughout the series, you can see numerous girls showing no fear of Bundy and instead focusing on his appearance — many attended his trials just to see him in person because of it. This type of attraction — hybristophilia — describes how sexual arousal derives from being with someone known to have committed a crime. This lure and charm Bundy expresses helps explain how he managed to both escape authorities and commit over 30 homicides.
After watching this docu-series myself, I think it is very important for people to understand how the media romanticizes Bundy’s crimes and take a focus to the red flags that are apparent, but easy to ignore. Even throughout the series, Bundy does little else but talk about himself, delighted to have reporters and newspapers hang onto anything he might say. Narcissistic and sadistic, Bundy continued to talk about himself in the media, of how he was merely a “boy scout” or “one of the boys,” as he protested his innocence.
To further portray the romanticized version Bundy was painted to be by the media during the 1970s, the director of the docu-series has also announced the feature film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, about Ted Bundy. The movie will star Zac Efron as Bundy, raising concerns about how using someone this attractive (#TroyBoltonForever) could misrepresent such a terrible serial killer. Potentially, leading away from the fact that he committed crimes such as rape, kidnapping and necrophilia.
Although unsettling and maybe not a first date movie choice, I do recommend watching this docu-series. If not for the attraction of serial killer documentaries, then maybe just as a reminder of reality. To clear your mind, here’s a gif that’ll leave you with this article on a happier note!