True crime vs. violência urbana: o limite entre o entretenimento e a banalização da criminalidade na realidade brasileira

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of true crime and its intersection with urban violence in Brazil, seeking to analyze whether this genre contributes to the banalization of criminality by transforming violent events into entertainment products. The research adopts a bibliographic approach, grounded in a review of academic literature and an analysis of relevant reports. Although the genre has recently emerged in Brazil, its exponential growth demonstrates a significant increase in the consumption of media addressing real crimes. The study draws on authors such as Jean Murley (2008) and Alex Durham (1995), who aim to conceptualize the genre and explore the media's influence on shaping social perceptions of crime. Additionally, the works of Silva (2016), Oliveira (2014), and Weyrauch (2011) are considered in order to provide context for urban violence and its dynamics within the Brazilian media. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to assess whether the consumption of true crime content contributes to the dehumanization of victims and the glorification of perpetrators, thereby reinforcing the social standardization of violence. The conclusion suggests that while true crime can foster significant social reflections, it depends on the responsibility of content creators and the critical engagement of audiences to avoid the fetishization and banalization of violence.