Whitewashing of serial killer characters in movies and TV series

Abstract

The article addresses the subject of whitewashing the characters of serial killers portrayed in films and TV series. The author observes the tendency in cultural works to justify or explain criminal behavior, sometimes removing the blame from the offender. The research was conducted in a quantitative strategy using the author’s survey questionnaire. The purpose of presented research was to find out the opinions of adolescents and young adults on the appearance of the phenomenon of whitewashing characters of serial killers in movies and TV series. The analysis showed that the respondents mostly did not manifest this tendency. However, it is worth mentioning that there were difficulties in answering clearly. The youngest age group (13-15) was the least confident in its choices. In view of the perceived danger, preventive recommendations have been made for those at risk of justifying or explaining the perpetrator. They can be used by those working with adolescents, educational organizers, parents or adolescents themselves. They providing knowledge about the phenomenon of whitewashing, raising awareness of the manipulation occurring in cultural works, teaching reflexive reception of content, valuable selection of cultural texts and assertive perception or expression of one’s own opinion.