Twitter’s new obsession: Ted Bundy
February 2, 2019
Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is a four episode true crime documentary series that examines the infamous serial killer using archival footage and audio recordings made on death row to give viewers a look into the disturbed mind of Ted Bundy. And the series release is giving Bundy a pop culture
resurrection. People are taking to social media to comment on theories about the murders, and perhaps most shocking topic to surface is Bundy’s alleged “hotness.”
Bundy– who confessed to killing 30, but the number is believed to be more– has long been a fascination to the public. With his clean cut good looks, Bundy was not what the public would deem a typical killer and the events surrounding have been featured in many movie portrayals.
With this latest media portrayal, Twitter is abuzz about Bundy’s alleged attractiveness. But the public is inappropriately romanticizing the man who was put to death for his crimes in 1989. Netflix was so disturbed by these comments, they decided tweet about it.
This brings us to the latest Ted Bundy biopic.
Zac Efron was cast to play Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile that came out in January at the Sundance Film Festival. Shortly after the release many began to speculate that it romanticized the brutal murders with its use of Efron’s charming portrayal of the murderer.
This lead people to think this could be one of the reasons why people are idealizing his looks now.
One person Tweeted: “With the new movie with Zac Efron playing Ted Bundy, I truly hope people don’t start to glorify him. He was a man who used his charm and looks to murder and rape women. He. Was. Sick.” This is just one of the many comments people have written on social media about this situation.
Naturally with all of the discussion about Bundy on social media, people have been asking questions about how the families of the victims and the survivors feel about this new found obsession.
Kathy Kleiner Rubin, who survived an attack by Bundy in 1978 recently said after watching the new film, “I don’t have a problem looking at it as long as they understand what they’re watching wasn’t a normal person.”
She also said, “When they do say positive and wonderful things about him… that’s who Bundy wanted you to see.”
She agrees the film glorifies the serial killer, but also thinks it’s helpful to see the type of behavior Bundy had used to charm his victims and lure them to their deaths.
We live in a society where sharing your thoughts with thousands of people is as simple as just pushing a button. But maybe think twice before you call someone who murdered innocent women and caused many families a great deal of pain “hot.”
Virgil Piper • Feb 4, 2019 at 3:02 pm
An interesting article. I must be out of step with current events. I was not aware that Bundy was considered “hot” . . . The article was well done I thought but I am curious about the high school interest in a serial killer.