From the twisted mind of Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter to the brooding Dexter Morgan, there’s something undeniably captivating about fictional serial killers on the big and small screens. Despite their horrific actions, these characters somehow have us rooting for them as they navigate their own twisted moral code and attempt to outsmart those hunting them. Whether it’s the allure of their intelligence and cunning or the thrill of watching them evade capture, these characters have captured the public’s imagination for decades.

But what about these characters makes us want to root for them, despite their heinous crimes? It’s a question worth exploring as we delve into the world of movies and TV shows that somehow have us rooting for serial killers.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

10 Hannibal (2013 – 2015)

     Sony Pictures Television

Hannibal is a critically acclaimed psychological horror-thriller TV series that centers around the iconic character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Mads Mikkelsen. The series, developed by Bryan Fuller, explores the early relationship between Lecter and FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) before the events of Thomas Harris’ novels and films.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

One of the reasons why viewers root for Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Lecter is his masterful performance, as he conveys a sense of elegance and refinement while also hinting at the character’s darker impulses. His portrayal of Lecter is both chilling and captivating, making him one of the best performances in the role to date. In fact, he won Best TV Villain at the 2015 IGN Awards and Best Actor on Television at the 2014 Saturn Awards.

9 The Saw Franchise

     Lionsgate

The Saw franchise, which began with the 2004 film directed by James Wan, centers around the character of John Kramer, also known as “Jigsaw,” a serial killer who captures his victims and subjects them to deadly traps to teach them the value of life. Audiences may find themselves rooting for John Kramer because of the character’s unique and twisted moral code. While Jigsaw is a killer, he believes that his victims are all “lost souls” who need to be taught a lesson. He sees himself as a kind of vigilante, helping people appreciate their lives’ value. Jigsaw’s traps are also a source of fascination for audiences as they are elaborate, creative, and gruesome, keeping the viewer engaged.

Another reason could be the performance of actor Tobin Bell, who played Jigsaw in several films, adds a sense of intelligence and nuance to the character, making him a more well-rounded and interesting villain than just a simple killer.

RELATED: Ethics in Movies That Make You Question Your Own Morality

8 You (2018 – Present)

     Netflix

In 2018, the TV show You was released on Lifetime and later on Netflix. The show centers around Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager obsessed with a customer named Beck. Joe begins to stalk Beck, using her social media accounts and personal information to insert himself into her life. As the show progresses, it becomes clear that Joe is a serial killer. Despite this, many viewers have found themselves rooting for Joe, perhaps due to his charming and charismatic personality or how the show portrays his actions as justified by his love for Beck.

The show’s handling of Joe’s character has been controversial, with some critics arguing that the show romanticizes Joe’s stalking and murder. However, the show’s creator, Sera Gamble, has stated that the show is meant to be a commentary on how social media and technology can enable stalking behavior and that Joe is not meant to be a likable or sympathetic character.

7 The Fall (2013 – 2016)

The Fall is a British crime drama television series that premiered on RTÉ One in Ireland and BBC Two in the UK in 2013. The show follows the investigation of a serial killer, played by Jamie Dornan, who is preying on young women in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Despite the character of Paul Spector being a ruthless and calculating killer, viewers are somehow drawn to him, and many find themselves rooting for him. This is due to several factors, including the complexity of Spector’s character, the way the show explores his motivations, and the strong performance by Jamie Dornan.

The Fall also uses a unique narrative structure that alternates between the perspectives of Spector and the police detective, played by Gillian Anderson, tasked with hunting him down, which gives viewers a deeper understanding of both characters and their actions. This makes it difficult for viewers to condemn Spector fully; instead, they find themselves rooting for him, even as he continues to commit terrible acts.

RELATED: Protagonists in Thrillers You Love to Root For

6 Dexter (2006 - 2013)

     Showtime

Dexter is an American crime drama television series that aired from 2006 to 2013. The show follows Dexter Morgan, a forensic technician for the Miami Police Department, who is also a vigilante serial killer. Despite Dexter being a murderer, viewers are drawn to him for reasons such as the show’s unique premise, the complexity of his character, and the strong performance by Michael C. Hall.

The show presents Dexter as a “code-driven” killer, meaning that he only kills other murderers and criminals who have evaded justice. This creates moral ambiguity, making it difficult for viewers to condemn Dexter’s actions fully. Additionally, the show explores the character’s internal conflict and his struggle to reconcile his need to kill with his desire to lead a normal life. The series also explores Dexter’s relationships with other characters and how they affect his actions, portraying how his dark passenger - his inner voice that pushes him to kill - affects his life and how he deals with it. These elements make Dexter a highly compelling and intriguing show that keeps viewers guessing and invested in the story, even though the main character is a serial killer.

5 The Following (2013 - 2015)

     Warner Bros. Television Distribution

The Following is a crime drama television series that aired on Fox from 2013 to 2015. The show centers around former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) and his attempts to track down and capture Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), a charismatic and highly intelligent serial killer with a cult following of devoted acolytes who help him carry out his murders. Despite being the show’s main antagonist, viewers find themselves rooting for Joe Carroll because of his charismatic personality and intelligence, as well as the show’s portrayal of him as a tragic figure driven to kill by his past traumas.

Additionally, the show’s focus on the twisted dynamic between Ryan Hardy and Joe Carroll, as well as the mind games and manipulation they engage in, keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, making it hard not to become invested in the story.

4 Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

Law Abiding Citizen stars Gerard Butler as Clyde Shelton, a man whose wife and daughter were brutally murdered in a home invasion. The story centers around Shelton’s quest for justice, as the two men responsible for the murders are offered a plea deal and receive light sentences. Shelton, a master of manipulation, takes matters into his own hands and begins a campaign of terror against the district attorney, who he holds responsible for the lenient sentences.

Despite the fact that Shelton becomes a vigilante and starts to kill people, many viewers find themselves rooting for him due to the film’s portrayal of the justice system as corrupt and failing to serve the victims. The film presents Shelton’s actions as a form of retribution, and many viewers may sympathize with him because of the loss of his family and the injustice he perceives in the legal system. Additionally, Clyde is presented as a smart and resourceful character who can outsmart the authorities and the criminals, making him appealing to some viewers.

3 Nightcrawler (2014)

     Open Road Films

Nightcrawler is a crime-thriller film directed by Dan Gilroy and stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis “Lou” Bloom, a driven and ambitious young man who becomes a freelance crime journalist in Los Angeles. Viewers may find themselves rooting for Lou because of the character’s intense drive and ambition. Despite being morally ambiguous, Lou’s determination to succeed and willingness to do whatever it takes to get ahead is something that many viewers can relate to. Gyllenhaal’s performance is also captivating, as he fully immerses himself in character, creating a sense of unease and discomfort as the audience watches Lou’s descent into darkness. Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of Lou is both chilling and charismatic, making him a complex and fascinating character that viewers can’t help but be drawn to. He even won eight awards for Best Actor in Nightcrawler during different Award festivals.

2 The Hellraiser Franchise

     Entertainment Films Distributors

The Hellraiser franchise, which began with the 1987 film directed by Clive Barker, centers around the character of Pinhead, a sadomasochistic demon who is the leader of the Cenobites, extra-dimensional beings who are summoned to Earth through the use of a mysterious puzzle box called the Lament Configuration. One of the reasons why viewers may find themselves rooting for Pinhead is because of the character’s complex motivations and backstory. While Pinhead is a terrifying and ruthless killer, he is also an agent of cosmic justice, punishing those who seek to cheat death or indulge in forbidden desires. Additionally, the character’s look and design is iconic, making him stand out as a unique and memorable villain.

Furthermore, Doug Bradley’s performance, who played Pinhead in several films, adds a sense of intelligence and nuance to the character, making him a more well-rounded and interesting villain than just a simple killer. He even won Best Actor for the movie Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996) during the 1996 Fantafestival and was nominated twice for Best Actor. First at the 2003 DVD Exclusive Awards for his role in Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002) and the second at the 1992 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for his role in Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992).

1 The Final Destination Franchise

     New Line Cinema

The Final Destination franchise, which began with the 2000 film directed by James Wong, centers around the concept of Death, an unseen force that stalks a group of characters who have cheated death through a premonition. Viewers most likely root for Death because of the franchise’s elaborate and creative death scenes that feature detailed and often gruesome set pieces, which are a source of fascination for audiences, as they are designed to be both shocking and visually striking. Another reason could be that the franchise’s exploration of the themes of fate, destiny, and the consequences of one’s actions make it an intriguing and thrilling series that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.