True or Fictional Crime: Which Holds Greater Appeal?
True crime documentaries and narratives are intensely popular, particularly on streaming services. Many people, particularly women, report watching this type of documentary for relaxation, much to the amusement of social media (e.g., memes, reels, comedy bits). A plethora of true crime podcasts also exist, and these often get listeners talking "in real time" over radio waves when other subjects may not.
However, fictional crime was a popular genre long before true crime, and remains so. Mystery movies, detective television series, and movies centered on the lives, escapes, and even last days of inmates, garner tons of views, reviews, and discussions every day. Some fictional crime stories, such as The Shawshank Redemption or The Great Escape, have taken their place among "classic" films.
With true and fictional crime getting so much attention, many questions arise. Namely, which type attracts what sort of audience, and why? Is there any overlap, and where does that exist? Perhaps most importantly, is there any way to tell whether true or fictional crime is more appealing?
Analyze this last question in light of the other two, as well as factors such as the nature of the crimes (e.g., "cozy mysteries" vs. "harder" crimes), storytelling choices and mechanics, casting choices, or any other factors you choose. If you choose to gear your argument toward one side or the other, choose some examples to prove why that version is the stronger, more appealing one.