Sequencing The Serial Killer

Abstract

This paper seeks to identify how the serial killer is portrayed in the title sequences of modern television shows.The modern age has witnessed a proliferation of television shows that showcase a deep study of crime amongst other topics.Within this genre there is an increasing focus on the serial killer who is becoming a North American cultural icon, while originating in its regeneration from the Gothic tradition. Subsequently, the popularization of the television show has also been trademarked by opening title sequences that start each episode.This title sequence uniquely marks a condensation of the show’s key themes and messages, becoming a microcosm of the show; it introduces the audience to the show’s unique premises during each episode. But despite previous research on serial killers’ depictions in cultural products and the effect of a television’s title sequence on its audience, they both have not been studied together.Thus, being established within the domain of cultural criminology (which attempts to study crime within the framework of its culture), this paper seeks to conduct a qualitative content analysis of television shows’ title sequences that uniquely portray a serial killer as either a main protagonist or antagonist from the timespan of 2005-2015.The main objective of this analysis is to clarify how the modern serial killer is illustrated and consumed by the modern public.