The Rise of the Audio Investigation 🕵️♀️
True crime has always been a popular genre, but the podcasting boom of the 2010s launched it into a new stratosphere of cultural dominance. The genre was arguably defined by the breakout success of Serial in 2014, a podcast that presented a deep-dive investigation into a real murder case in serialized, episodic form. This format—combining investigative journalism with dramatic storytelling, cliffhanger endings, and the intimate nature of audio—created a new and highly addictive way to consume non-fiction narratives.
Influence on Film and Television
The narrative conventions and massive success of true crime podcasts have had a direct and profound impact on the film and television industry:
- Direct Adaptations: The most direct link is the sheer number of popular podcasts that have been optioned and adapted into scripted television series or feature films. Shows like Dirty John, Dr. Death, The Shrink Next Door, and Homecoming all began their lives as successful podcasts before being turned into high-profile screen adaptations starring major actors.
- Influence on Documentary Style: The narrative structure of modern true crime documentary series, especially on streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO, owes a great deal to the podcasting format. The episodic nature, the focus on the investigative process, the use of a narrator guiding the audience through the evidence, and the building of suspense across multiple episodes all mirror the techniques popularized by podcasts.
- Spurring New Documentaries: The renewed public interest that a popular podcast can bring to a cold case has, in some instances, led to real-world developments. These new leads and revelations can then become the basis for a follow-up documentary film or series, creating a feedback loop between the two mediums.