Serial Killers

Serial Killers, who are they? Can they be distributed as good or bad people?  Or are they just brutal monsters with an anxiety to kill. A serial killer is distinguished as a person that commits multiple murders under psychological gratification.  Everyone can consider that Mass Murder is distributed through hatred, but why do directors, TV shows and films continue to advertise it? Is violence or hatred a catchy concept? In this Readers Response, we will evaluate Quentin Tarentino’s “Natural Born Killers “and American television series, “Dexter,” starring Michael C. hall. We will compare the levels of violence in “Dexter” and“Natural Born Killers.” Then evaluate the supposed purpose for their visual violence on screen. In Addition, we will depict if filmmakers are critiquing violence or just sensationalizing it? Hatred, violence, suspense and fear, it’s all a combination that creates a “thriller,” a genre that’s quite addictive upon many.  The series Dexter, aired on Showtime in late 2006, and ended with its final episode in late 2013. Dexter was a hit, the show had a form of uniqueness about serial killing. Directors gave audience viewers a view into the “mind of a serial killer.” Dexter Morgan is a blood splatter analyst that works for the Miami Metro Police Department.  He seems like your average Joe, looks harmless, always ahead of his job, and is a character at his place of work, but like many, “looks can be deceiving.” Directors infuse hatred and violence within the first episode of Dexter, which distinguishes a lot about his character. He’s a serial killer, he’s hungry for blood, and he has an addiction. But is it necessarily bad? Director’s developed Dexter’s character as serial killer with a “heart of good.” Why do we picture him as a hero? How can a serial killer have a good heart? Well, Dexter Morgan isn’t your average serial killer. Instead of going off and killing random individuals creating mass murder, he kills people who are committing bad deeds and homicidal crime. But wouldn’t that still make him a criminal also? This is where we must consider if serial killing is really a bad deed or good deed, if it’s used to catch those who’ve punished others. We live in a world where no form of crime is tolerated, and killing an individual can only be permitted in the line of self-defense. The level of violence portrayed in Dexter is showcasing how serial killing can become an epidemic. Though the show enacts some form of comedy, should this visual concept be displayed on television for viewing, if committing murder is such a bad thing? How do we diversify reality from fiction?  In life, we are taught from what is symbolized as good and what is symbolize as bad. TV shows and films have ratings to aware viewer’s audiences and protect them from any restrictions and punishment from their potential viewers. Directors believe society should be wise enough to not portray any of the acts that they see among TV shows and films. Their only used for entertainment purposes. The level of violence used in Dexter is at an intermediate level, but can also be viewed at a high level of displayed horror, with the goring of Dexter chopping his victims up into pieces, and displaying them as works of art.  Because the show did well, there wasn’t much of any backlash or historical events that were cause from the show. It seems that popularity overthrown the weight of violence and death being showcased.  Just ask Director, Quentin Tarentino. He’s created over 100 films showcasing brutal violence, killing and gore. In one of Tarentino’s most famous screenplay’s “Natural Born Killers,” violence is put on a pedestal, as it becomes infuriated upon the two main characters, starring in the film, “Mickey and Mallory.”  These two characters take serial killing to a whole new level. Mickey and Mallory each came from different walks of life, but have the same perception or intake on how they feel about the world around them. Mallory’s been abuse by her father and often disowned by her family, and Mickey has and untold past, but isn’t afraid to show his true colors. The two travels to various areas along different coasts to commit mass murders together, as if it was their traditional hobby. During many scenes, they can be caught sharing romance while conducting a massacre. The level of violence goes over the meter, when these two-start unleashing their wrath on innocent individuals. Director’s really enclosed the title with the scene of the film.  These two are like a modern day “Bonnie and Clyde.” Mickey and Mallory have no remorse or any feelings except for each other. The film is so gory that it would make audience viewers believe that the directors were sensationalizing the meaning of mass murder.  Much of the public continue to blame films, movies, games, and books for the cause of mass murder. But in Hollywood, violence is portrayed as action, and it sales. When it comes to films and shows, Directors want to focus on the meaning of the genre, and bring that meaning to life with imagery. Violence is often showcased in action and thriller films. Films that showcase lots of killing and blood are often portrayed as “thrillers.” But with all the mass killings that have been occurring, should we remove this film genre from the collection? Well, the truth is, everything has a limit to which it’s vulnerable. A serial killer can continue to kill, but at some point, reality hit’s them. As it did, for Mickey and Mallory at the end of their journey. People can continue to blame films, shows and games for cause of mass murder, but when are we safe? There’s a fictional world and there’s reality, we get to choose which one we rather live in, but only one has consequences.

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