How Mindhunter plays our true crime obsessions against us

I know how the true crime show will end. So why am I still riveted?

Mindhunter.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Netflix, zenink/iStock)

Within moments of starting the second season of Mindhunter, I knew who the killer was.

A few episodes later, my suspicion was confirmed by the use of his alias for the first time: Agent Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) is contending with the BTK, a killer who murdered 10 people in and around Wichita, Kansas, beginning in 1974. Because of the real-life basis of most of the murderers in Netflix's hit true crime drama, I also knew the real name of the BTK and how he would eventually be caught. Given how many other people are obsessed with true crime these days, I'll bet I'm not the only one.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.