‘The depraved crimes of both real and imagined serial killers and mass murderers have long transfixed us…’
Everyone is fascinated by serial killers to the point that many of the big names (Bundy, Dahmer, Gacy) have become their own cottage industry. Writer and broadcaster Christopher Berry-Dee has dedicated his life to studying maniacs, having published several books on the subject, and so, it seems only natural that he would eventually find his way to discussing some of the art inspired by these murderous ghouls…
Serial Killers at the Movies, subtitled My Intimate Talks with Mass Murderers who Became Stars of the Big Screen, is exactly what the title suggests. Berry-Dee delivers an exhaustive list of serial killers and the films that inspired them. Featuring every big-name serial killer you can imagine and some of the most iconic horror films ever made (Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Silence of the Lambs, etc), Berry-Dee’s book is perhaps a little too ambitious in its scope. While his expertise is obvious, the book often feels like a whistle-stop tour through the greatest hits rather than a deep dive. I could also have done without his constant plugging of his other work and the occasional appearance of his political views. Just give me the murders, please.
If you want a general overview of the most notorious monsters through history and the films they inspired, Serial Killers at the Movies is a great starting point. There is a nagging feeling, however, that there is a more definitive tome to be written on this subject.