Becoming Evil: Serial Killers

This show was so awesome and 7 episodes just didn't feel like enough! As someone who loves anything to do with serial killers and finds it extremely interesting working in the Justice field this show went above and beyond in allowing viewers to get an in depth look into the minds and motives of the world's most famous serial killers. As a viewer at times you will not only feel creeped out by what you see but also you will feel educated as you get to hear first hand from many different experts from the fields of Psychology to law enforcement. While there is many more things to be talked about in regards to serial killers Becoming Evil does a GREAT job with giving viewers a look into the depraved but also interesting minds of Serial Killers. A DEFINITE recommend!

One example of the laziness, an "expert" casually says that someone named Scott Jacobs called psychopaths the "people of the lie". He was most likely referring to Dr. Scott Peck's book, People Of The Lie, which was not strictly about psychopaths. And that's just one of many small inaccuracies as an "expert" enjoys the sound of their own voice.

Despite the original idea of updating our understanding of who can be a serial killer, they go on to reinforce some outdated and disgusting stereotypes when discussing gay serial killers. They claim they aren't more prone to deviant or violent behavior but follow that by outlining horrific details of crimes by specific gay killers. Yet I can think of many details by killers such as Ed Kemper that are just as disturbing. They refer to one killer "living his gay life" as though it's a lifestyle choice.

I haven't finished the series yet and will amend this review if there's any improvement, but I'm not holding my breath...

The subject matter should be interesting however the narrator and the "experts" are insanely boring which makes it difficult to focus on what they're actually talking about. Aside from the numerous factual errors, it's difficult to listen to these people blather on about things that they seem to have picked up directly from various made-for-tv movies. Try giving "City of Angels: City of Death" a watch for a far more interesting show on serial killers. "Becoming Evil: Serial Killers" was just a snooze-fest.

A detailed overview of various serial killers throughout the decades, with some interesting insights from criminologists and behaviorists about aspects that they share in common or that distinguish them. The main issue for me is that same interviews are used in many, if not all of the episodes. Consequently, one episode tends to blend with the others. They could have cut this series by maybe a third by not repeating the same material across episodes. still, for people interested in the subject, it is a fascinating series.

What happens when a bunch of 70 year olds try to not sound misogynistic? It doesn't work and you end up with a horrible mis information filled dumpster fire.