Wrexham Uni Launches True Crime Series - Baka Cinema

Delving into Darkness: Wrexham University Hosts True Crime Mini-Series

Wrexham University is set to host a fascinating and free criminology mini-series, "Lights, Crime, Action!", exploring the gripping, and often unsettling, world of true crime and its depiction on our screens. The series will examine how some of history's most infamous killers have been portrayed in film and television, offering a critical lens on the media's role in shaping public perception.

Running from August 4th to August 21st at the university's Plas Coch campus, the series is open to anyone over the age of 18 with an interest in true crime, media studies, or those considering a career in criminal justice. Each session promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between true crime, media representation, and societal fascination.

The mini-series will delve into the cinematic and televisual portrayals of notorious figures such as Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Aileen Wuornos, and Alfredo Ballí Treviño. Each session will offer a unique perspective on the killer, the crimes, and the way these events have been adapted for the screen.

Unpacking the Public's Fascination with Serial Killers

Dr Tegan Brierley-Sollis, a lecturer in policing, criminology, and trauma-informed approaches at Wrexham University, explains the impetus behind the series. She highlights the public's enduring fascination with serial killers, a phenomenon that has become a significant part of our culture, fuelled by films, television series, and documentaries.

"The sessions will be focused on the public’s fascination of serial killers in our society," she says. "It’s a big business now in the culture industry, due to the film portrayals, television series and documentaries, that many people watch in their own time."

A key aspect of the series will be comparing media depictions with the realities of the crimes committed. This will involve a critical examination of how filmmakers and television producers often take liberties with the facts, potentially glorifying the perpetrators or misrepresenting the victims. Dr. Brierley-Sollis emphasises the importance of remembering the victims, whose stories are often overshadowed by the notoriety of the killers. "We will also be taking time to acknowledge the victims of these crimes, which sometimes get unfortunately overlooked, due to the notoriety of the killers."

Session Breakdown: A Glimpse into the Criminal Mind

Here's a breakdown of each session in the "Lights, Crime, Action!" mini-series:

• Monday, August 4th: Ted Bundy and the Glamourisation of Evil: The series kicks off with an examination of Ted Bundy, who murdered at least 30 women and girls across the United States in the 1970s. The session will focus on the Netflix film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, starring Zac Efron, and explore the controversial issue of glamorising serial killers in the media. The discussion will address how Bundy's charm and appearance influenced public perception, even during his trial. His trial was highly publicized, with many onlookers commenting on his appearance and expressing disbelief at his guilt. Even after his conviction, the judge remarked on Bundy's intelligence and potential as a lawyer.

• Thursday, August 7th: Cults and Manipulation: The Case of Charles Manson: This session turns its attention to the phenomenon of cults and their portrayal in film, using the 2018 movie Charlie Says as a case study. The film follows a prison psychiatrist working with three young women who were manipulated by Charles Manson into committing murder in 1969. The session will delve into the psychological manipulation tactics employed by cult leaders and the vulnerability of individuals drawn into these groups.

• Monday, August 18th: Aileen Wuornos and the "Ideal Victim": The third event shifts focus to the portrayal of female serial killers, specifically Aileen Wuornos, as depicted in the film Monster. This session will consider how female serial killers are represented in the media and explore the concept of the "ideal victim," examining how societal biases and stereotypes can influence perceptions of victims and perpetrators.

• Thursday, August 21st: Hannibal Lecter and the Sensationalism of Crime: The final session will focus on Alfredo Ballí Treviño, a Mexican doctor who is believed to have been the inspiration for the character of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. The discussion will address the media's tendency to exaggerate and sensationalise criminal cases, often blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

A Pathway to Criminal Justice Education

All sessions in the mini-series will run from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

The series will touch on themes explored in Wrexham University’s BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice degree programme, which still has places available for September 2025 entry. This provides a valuable opportunity for prospective students to gain insights into the course content and engage with leading academics in the field.