The Zodiac Killers: A Documentary Analysis

"So, what are you into?" A simple question, right? Wrong. You'd think in the 21st century people would be more open minded to other's interests, but when you have an interest in serial killers like I do it's hard to get a conversation past that simple question. I once when met a boy and he asked the million dollar question. Naturally I said "Well, I really like serial killers." With that he gave me a sideways stare, awkwardly shifted in his chair and refused to make eye contact for more than a second. Eventually he told me he had to go, he and I both knew he didn’t. To think, a complete stranger telling you through body language that he simply couldn’t bare being near you a second longer. Now let's get something straight, when I say I like serial killers it doesn’t mean I have an obsession with John Wayne Gacy, or a shrine for The Zodiac Killer. It does not mean that I see Aileen Wuornos as a role model. It means the way they think interests me like no other. The psychology behind it. How could someone torture and kill another living, breathing human being? What's the difference between
their mindset and yours or mine that makes them capable to kill? You think it's weird when a stranger gives you the cold shoulder? How about when it's your mother? One night I was watching TV with my mom and Richard Ramirez came on. Out of pure excitement I sat up and told her everything I knew about him, how many victims he had, when he was caught, even what music he liked. Seeing her teenage daughter all but light up at the sight of, what most people considered a monster she was clearly a little concerned. She turned in her chair and gave me that "we need to talk" look. "Why are you so excited over Richard Ramirez?" My first thought was to respond with "Why aren't you?", but I don't think that would help her piece of mind. Instead I calmly explained my odd interest in the true “things” that go bump in the night. What could be more uncomfortable than both a stranger and your own mother think you’re absolutely crazy? Having your best friend think you’re in love with Ted Bundy. I was sitting on a bench with my best friend and she brought up how strange my interest was after I educated her on him. “You know, it’s just a little creepy. People are going to think you’re in love with him.” I had no idea what to say. After the initial shock of my friend thinking I was infatuated with a serial killer wore off I found the words to say. “I’m not in love with them, I’m in love with their minds and the psychology of it all.” She gave me probably one of the most confused looks I’ve ever seen in my life. You can’t imagine how strange it felt when my partner in crime thought I was in love with someone who committed them. I can understand the feeling of wanting to distance yourself from the person who said they like serial killers.
However, this situation isn’t just limited to me, in 2014 John Borowski produced a documentary called “Serial Killer Culture” which had a controversial topic of murderabilia and murder art. Borowski once said in an interview with Psychology Today “They are human beings just like all the rest of us, and I feel it is society's responsibility to attempt to understand them and not just execute them so they are out of sight, out of mind. There must be a reason for their existence and I’m attempting to figure that out.” Sadly, people didn’t see it this way. Most people were offended by his film and said it was “idolizing serial killers.” Personally, I didn’t see any of the people interviewed idolize any of the serial killers, or their
work.