Casting Cultural Monsters: Representations of Serial Killers in U.S. and U.K. News Media

Abstract

Serial murder is deeply embedded in Western cultures, and serial killers are the subject of widespread coverage in news and entertainment media. Scholars suggest that mass media portrayals of these cases tend to present two images: the serial killer as monster and the serial killer as celebrity. Media representations reveal much about a culture, and the use of extreme images like monsters and celebrities speaks especially loudly. Yet, few researchers have explored cultural meanings embedded in representations of serial killers. Informed by theoretical arguments within cultural sociology and drawing on a qualitative content analysis of news articles published in the United Sates and the United Kingdom, this study explores news media representations of serial killers and uncovers links to broader cultural meanings. Although there are several similarities in the ways U.S. and U.K. news sources represent serial murder, important differences are evident. In particular, U.K. articles include more monster imagery and U.S. articles include more celebrity imagery. Implications and meanings behind these representations are discussed, especially as they reveal cultural values and beliefs.