The Killer Speaks

The Killer Speaks is a chilling documentary series about murder. There have been many throughout the years, but the difference here is that, in addition to reenacting various real crimes and interviewing the victims' families and participants in the investigation, the show puts the actual murderer in front of the camera so that they can describe the experience of being a killer. Trained forensic psychologists watch the interviews and research the subjects and offer insights into the psychological makeup of the killer. The result is a fascinating and disturbing window into the psychology of actual killers.

This is a dangerous show. Some could rightfully argue that to put a killer in front of a camera in effect turns them into a celebrity, and gives them very undeserved attention. I think there is some truth in this, and I felt a bit guilty watching the show. However, there is no denying that, if you ever wanted a real first-hand view of what goes on in the mind of a killer as they commit their crime, this is the most revealing show you are ever likely to watch. One per episode, the murderers describe their experience in detail, and you get the feeling that you are watching inhabitants of one of the circles of Hell--it is a frightful spectacle that unfolds in a way that no horror movie could come close to duplicating. The psychology is fascinating, especially considering that murderers are actually a rather diverse group with many different types of motives and psychological dilemmas. They are all doomed, however, and all display a fundamental callousness that leads them to believe that they are justified in killing their victims.

On balance, this is a documentary series that is worth making and worth watching. For most of us, from day to day it is difficult to imagine the world that these killers inhabit. This series shows it to us close-up, and it is definitely worth knowing about and understanding.

After completing the first season, which wasnt easy to digest, I'd had more than my fill of this drama-less fiasco. First off, these 43+ minutes stories could have been told in 20. You get the same, repetitive commentary and flashes of the killer's face, over and over again. It doesnt take long for it to become nauseating to the viewer.

This series is strong reflection of the 'all eyes on me' culture we have created. I recall a time when good was good, and evil was evil. Over the last quarter century we have blurred the lines significantly. Now when you do evil acts and commit heinous crimes, you get a book deal and TV appearances, maybe even a cult following. There's little doubt here that the killers are eating up their 15 minutes of fame here. What else do they have to do with their time? Its a nice break from the mundane repetition of prison life.

So the only potential redeeming aspect of this series would be to gain valuable insight into the killers' minds and motives. But here again, the viewer will be short changed. The majority of the convicted murders come off as aloof, still in denial to a high degree, and lost in their own fantasy worlds. Occasionally you see a glimpse of a conscience or a sliver of remorse, but it comes off as remorse for being caught, and a resignation that they wont be experiencing life outside of prison walls ever again. Before they slip back into their bubbles of narcissism. You do, however. Get a lot of psychotic justification for doing what they did - matter of factly, without emotion.

This is but a sick glorification of sadistic killers solely to make a buck for the network that produced it. Expect more, you'll likely come up empty. Save yourselves a few hours and skip this mess.

I finished this in a weekend. This is a very interesting take on showing different murder cases. You get to see the method behind the madness. Some cases make you feel sorry for the person, like the mentally disturbed man in Montana. While others make you shake you head like the young man that brutally killed his ex girlfriend. One case that was very odd was the cold case solved 25 years later. The guy "felt" sorry what he did. He was already in prison for robbery. Hearing the doctors, lawyers, and reporters analyze the killer's interview also brings in a new, fresh perspective on how each case was crazy to do. If you're into crime or any documentaries you'll love this. Give it a chance!

This show's attempt to expose the malicious and vindictive side to criminals falls short compared to how they provide a stage for these pathetic humans to celebrate their victory once again with the crimes they've achieved. The editing is shockingly one-sided, and it blows my mind how poorly they overlooked this. I mean, if it covers the bills, go for it. However, my moral compass points in a very different, BETTER, direction. I just can't imagine a room full of these morons and the general idea being, "Let's make a show where we make victims relive their worst experiences while allowing criminals to boast about what they've done." Anyone involved in this show should be absolutely ashamed. Pathetic humans.