Criminology mini-series to analyse true crime portrayals in media
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The portrayal of criminal cases of some of the world’s most notorious killers in films and television is to be explored as part of a fascinating mini-series, taking place at Wrexham University next month.
Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Aileen Wuornos and Alfredo Ballí Treviño will be the murderers featured in the ‘Lights, Crime, Action!’ sessions, which are running from Monday, August 4 to Thursday, August 21 at the University’s Plas Coch campus in Wrexham.
Led by Criminology and Criminal Justice academics at the University, these thought-provoking and free sessions explore the film and television depictions of the serial killers and their crimes.
Dr Tegan Brierley-Sollis, Lecturer in Policing, Criminology and Trauma-Informed approaches at the University, said: “The sessions will be focussed on the public’s fascination of serial killers in our society – 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.
“During the series, we will be looking at those media depictions of the perpetrators but also comparing them to what happened in real life. 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.
“I’d encourage anyone with an interest in true crime or considering a career in criminal justice to come along to the sessions. They’re free to attend and open to anyone over the age of 18.”
The first session of the series will take place on Monday, August 4, and focuses on Ted Bundy, who killed at least 30 women and girls across the USA in the 1970s. It will focus on the Netflix movie ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’, starring Zac Efron – and the glamorisation of serial killers.
Dr Brierley-Sollis said: “How Bundy presented himself in court is fascinating to watch, because a lot of people commented on his charm and looks, and said they thought he was innocent. His trial was public and, when prompted, onlookers dubbed his crimes scary but still passed comment on his appearance.
“Once Bundy was found guilty, the judge even said he would have made a terrific lawyer and that he would’ve loved to have had him practice before his court.”
The next session, which is taking place on Thursday, August 7, will offer an insight into how cinema portrays cults, focusing on 2018 movie ‘Charlie Says’, which follows a prison psychiatrist’s efforts to help three young women brainwashed into committing mass murder by cult leader, Charles Manson in California in 1969.
The third will explore the depiction of Aileen Wuornos in the film ‘Monster’, which will aim to uncover the portrayal of female serial killers and those falling outside of an ‘Ideal Victim’ status. This session will take place on Monday, August 18.
While, the final part of the series will look at the representation of Alfredo Ballí Treviño in the film ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. This session, taking place on Thursday, August 21, will explore the media exaggeration of cases and the predatory portrayal of serial killers.
Each session will take place between 5.30pm – 6.30pm on the University’s Plas Coch campus in Wrexham, and are free to attend and open to those 18 years old and over.
- For more information about the series, including how to book your places, visit: https://wrexham.ac.uk/visit/subject-events/
- Each of the sessions cover several themes that feature in the BA (Hons) Criminology & Criminal Justice degree programme at Wrexham University, of which some places are still available for the September 2025 intake. You can find out more about the programme – including how to apply – here.
