Richard Dyer

In the following selection Richard Dyer, a professor of film studies at the University of Warwick in Great Britain, discusses the appeal of serial—killer films. He argues that the appeal of the genre lies partly in the suspense and anticipation created by the episodic nature of serial murder. Dyer discusses serial—killing portrayals in classic and contemporary films, including the 1995 films Seven and Copycat, arguing that such films play upon viewers' natural delight in discerning patterns in the murders depicted. He also examines the role of women in serial—killer films. Dyer concludes that serial—killer films are fundamentally about violence against women. Thus, no matter how much the films attempt to distract viewers with the elaborate patterns of the serial killings, the genre must grapple with the troublesome issues of misogyny and viewer...