Natural Born Killers

Daniel Cohn

LE300J

Instructor Susan Arias

28 June 2015

Is the movie “Natural Born Killers” a call for the media to stop sensationalism regarding serial killers?

Since the release of the film “Natural Born Killers” in 1994, produced by Oliver Stone there has been controversy over it possibly creating serial killers; however it attempts to portray a different message; a message to the media to stop the sensationalism of serial killers. At first glance the movie seems to promote the violence conducted by the characters Mickey and Mallory portrayed by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis. You see this through the clips of their fans who have tried to resemble their heroes stating “Mickey and Mallory are the best thing that happened to mass murder since Manson” (Natural Born Killers 1994). When looking closer at the film you can see a clear message for the media to stop the coverage and publicizing serial killers.

Within multiple scenes throughout the movie the director “Oliver Stone”, placed subtle hints of the amount of violence that is viewed today. In a scene there is a close up of a television with the channels be changed trying to find something on to watch, however there seems to be nothing but horror and murder scenes being podcasted. This scene is the start of what Oliver Stone is attempting to say within his film. By showing these horrific films and news coverage, we are essentially promoting violence.

The movie continues on to illustrate that the media has become obsessed with ratings, this is shown through Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr) who is a reported who is only interested in serial killers. Throughout the movie he attempts to cover the latest and greatest killings made by Mickey and Mallory, which is seen through his television series “American Maniacs”. He goes into great detail to try and make them into stars by setting up a live interview with Mickey right after the supper bowl, despite it being held...