What is the message behind films that glamorise intelligent serial killers?

[Iceman]

What is the message behind films that glamorise intelligent serial killers such as Silence of the Lambs, Seven and Saw? I can appreciate that some of these are very good films deserving of the critical acclaim and cult status that they receive and can also see the entertainment value of delving into the criminal psyche. However, if I was a borderline psychotic (which I may well be so go easy on any abuse you deal out here ) I could imagine being inspired by one of these films to begin plans on some kind of elaborate 'murder game'.

The majority of people I have spoken to on the subject don't have much of a problem with these films and I'm not trying to imply that a problem exists. Rather, I'm looking to be educated as I watch a lot of these films out of curiosity despite not being a fan of the genre. In sum, is it ok to kill as long as you do it in style?

 

[Fried Gold]

In sum, is it ok to kill as long as you do it in style?

If that's your question, then surely you should be looking at hitmen films. They kill with style. Those from Saw, Se7en etc kill because they're spastics.

 

[Iceman]

If that's your question, then surely you should be looking at hitmen films. They kill with style. Those from Saw, Se7en etc kill because they're spastics.

Very good point. With films involving hitmen as hero characters the lines of morality are even less transparent as they usually kill their victims without torturing/toying with them. I referred to some traditional serial killer films as examples as these are the types that personally bother me the most. This in itself is a sign of confused morality in that I don’t always feel consciously disturbed by the average hitman film.

 

[Cobb]

I always thought the message was that serial killing was way to much work so just get a job and don't bother.

 

[Iceman]

I always thought the message was that serial killing was way to much work so just get a job and don't bother.

I see your point re the 'don't bother - too much work'. t:

Probably not enough to motivate people to go and get a job though.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Same reasons a lot of rap glorifies criminality, drug use, violence, 'gangsta' lifestyles, sexism/racism, anti-authority, etc.

 

[Kent]

There's no "message". People just enjoy watching a handsome, charming, intelligent villain more than a dog ugly, stupid, charmless one.

 

[Iceman]

There's no "message". People just enjoy watching a handsome, charming, intelligent villain more than a dog ugly, stupid, charmless one.

True. It seems a bit irresponsible and I was thinking there might be some message along the lines of 'no this is wrong' that I was missing.

Same reasons a lot of rap glorifies criminality, drug use, violence, 'gangsta' lifestyles, sexism/racism, anti-authority, etc.

Yeah I suppose there are examples of glorification of arguably negative behaviours all over the place that I don't question as much.

 

[LEX]

You sure have struck a note of paranoia. Yes, amateur would-be serial killers would and likely will be inspired by the fictional work of John Doe and Jigsaw. We can't prevent that from happening except maybe the law and/or their loved ones, if any. For us, I can see no said message other than pure entertainment, however sick and twisted that may be.

 

[Iceman]

Damn, I thought there might be more to it.

 

[Iceman]

Damn, I thought there might be more to it.

 

[Iceman]

Damn, I thought there might be more to it.

 

[The Dark Defender]

The message is seeing everything that's wrong with humanity from corruption, to rudeness, to ungratefulness and so forth played out through characters that are punished for the way that they treat people.

I don't condone the type of punishment shown in these films being carried in real life, but that's a big part of why movies are so great, the escapism, you can enjoy something in a film that you can't in real life.

Lecter loves Clarice because she's the precise opposite of those qualities, which is what makes the relationship so powerful.
If you think about why things turn out the way they do for the victims, often there is a message to it about how people live their lives and the potential consequences. These types of characters generally don't just select victims at random.

 

[bored]

What is the message behind films that glamorise intelligent serial killers such as Silence of the Lambs, Seven and Saw? I can appreciate that some of these are very good films deserving of the critical acclaim and cult status that they receive and can also see the entertainment value of delving into the criminal psyche. However, if I was a borderline psychotic (which I may well be so go easy on any abuse you deal out here ) I could imagine being inspired by one of these films to begin plans on some kind of elaborate 'murder game'.

The majority of people I have spoken to on the subject don't have much of a problem with these films and I'm not trying to imply that a problem exists. Rather, I'm looking to be educated as I watch a lot of these films out of curiosity despite not being a fan of the genre. In sum, is it ok to kill as long as you do it in style?

It's a way of making things interesting. "Guy kills lots of people" gets stale, so filmmakers look to add new factors into the formula, hence John Doe using the Seven Deadly Sins, or Lecter's cannibalism.

 

[Iceman]

The message is seeing everything that's wrong with humanity from corruption, to rudeness, to ungratefulness and so forth played out through characters that are punished for the way that they treat people.

I don't condone the type of punishment shown in these films being carried in real life, but that's a big part of why movies are so great, the escapism, you can enjoy something in a film that you can't in real life.

Lecter loves Clarice because she's the precise opposite of those qualities, which is what makes the relationship so powerful.
If you think about why things turn out the way they do for the victims, often there is a message to it about how people live their lives and the potential consequences.

Good explanation

The sins of the victims angle is prevalent in these films which I do find very interesting (also in American Psycho). The dual interpretation that I make is:

1) that everyday people are living wrongful lives
2) the 'sinners' need to be punished (but whose job is it to do this?)

The only problem I have is that the punishers are sinners themselves who do not seem to be concerned by their own sins. Surely they should be punishing themselves as well as the rest of society.

I find the way Lecter interacts with Clarice to be the most intriguing relationship in these films.

 

[Iceman]

It's a way of making things interesting. "Guy kills lots of people" gets stale, so filmmakers look to add new factors into the formula, hence John Doe using the Seven Deadly Sins, or Lecter's cannibalism.

Yeah, these 'innovations' certainly make things more interesting but I'd be disappointed if that was the only thinking behind it (which I hope is not and don't think is the case). If people watch slasher films only to see horrific murders etc with no message behind them, then it becomes entertainment for the hell of it, almost pornographic.

 

[cryptic name]

What is the message behind films that glamorise intelligent serial killers such as Silence of the Lambs, Seven and Saw? I can appreciate that some of these are very good films deserving of the critical acclaim and cult status that they receive and can also see the entertainment value of delving into the criminal psyche. However, if I was a borderline psychotic (which I may well be so go easy on any abuse you deal out here ) I could imagine being inspired by one of these films to begin plans on some kind of elaborate 'murder game'.

The majority of people I have spoken to on the subject don't have much of a problem with these films and I'm not trying to imply that a problem exists. Rather, I'm looking to be educated as I watch a lot of these films out of curiosity despite not being a fan of the genre. In sum, is it ok to kill as long as you do it in style?

yes. it is

 

[Revolver_Ocelot]

is it ok to kill as long as you do it in style?

Did you really understand these movies?
As far as Silence of the Lambs goes, Hannibal is a very in depth character who happens to be insane. What, we should only make movies that showcase good people?

 

[The Dark Defender]

Good explanation

The sins of the victims angle is prevalent in these films which I do find very interesting (also in American Psycho). The dual interpretation that I make is:

1) that everyday people are living wrongful lives
2) the 'sinners' need to be punished (but whose job is it to do this?)

The only problem I have is that the punishers are sinners themselves who do not seem to be concerned by their own sins. Surely they should be punishing themselves as well as the rest of society.

I find the way Lecter interacts with Clarice to be the most intriguing relationship in these films.

They don't consider themselves guilty of the same sins as their victims(and often they're not), and their justification for it is their selection of who they do it too; not to mention they feel their work serves a higher purpose, which they couldn't carry on if they were to punish themselves.

Of course what they do isn't right, but their actions being right isn't exactly the point of the films.

 

[Iceman]

yes. it is

Thanks, just looking for confirmation.

 

[Iceman]

Did you really understand these movies?

Not completely no, that's why I made this thread, in an effort to educate myself.

As far as Silence of the Lambs goes, Hannibal is a very in depth character who happens to be insane. What, we should only make movies that showcase good people?

No, I find these movies interesting and the character of Hannibal Lecter even more so.

 

[Iceman]

They don't consider themselves guilty of the same sins as their victims(and often they're not), and their justification for it is their selection of who they do it too; not to mention they feel their work serves a higher purpose, which they couldn't carry on if they were to punish themselves.

Of course what they do isn't right, but their actions being right isn't exactly the point of the films.

Yeah, I can understand what you're getting at here. It works in some ways, especially if they aren't committing sins prior to their role as executioner.

 

[Alpha and Omega]

Contemporary films in general are more complex. 20 or 30 years ago (maybe even in the early nineties), you could get away with showcasing mindless killing machines who never gave a reason for their wanton actions. Now, people want explanatory information dealing w/ why a person would do that, or what would cause them to do arguably unspeakable things.

is it ok to kill as long as you do it in style?

Hmm, good question. I don't have a simple answer for that, but most people don't have a problem with being entertained by gritty drama or things that highlight reality, so it might be cliche, but entertainment and life or reality will always rely on each other for inspiration/motivation.

 

[Danalys]

well when i see the silence of the lambs i don't want to be hannibal or bill. they aren't role models and not every character in films should be or is. they're just intresting stores. there's the what makes them tick or how are they really different from everyone else factor. and part of us just likes seeing violence, as much as part of us hates it. there's the shock/tension and relief factor aswell. it's part of exploring the human condition.

 

[Iceman]

Contemporary films in general are more complex. 20 or 30 years ago (maybe even in the early nineties), you could get away with showcasing mindless killing machines who never gave a reason for their wanton actions. Now, people want explanatory information dealing w/ why a person would do that, or what would cause them to do arguably unspeakable things.

I think this makes them better and more responsible films.

Hmm, good question. I don't have a simple answer for that, but most people don't have a problem with being entertained by gritty drama or things that highlight reality, so it might be cliche, but entertainment and life or reality will always rely on each other for inspiration/motivation.

I can enjoy these kinds of films but always feel very uncomfortable about doing so.