True Crime Fatigue: Why Gen Z Is Turning to Fiction Again

Just a few years ago, true crime reigned supreme in the world of streaming and podcasts. From docuseries to investigative YouTube channels, real-life murder mysteries captivated millions—especially Gen Z. Yet by 2025, a quiet shift has started to take place.

Now, many younger audiences are stepping away from true crime and gravitating back toward fiction. Whether it’s cozy thrillers, fantastical adventures, or speculative horror, Gen Z seems to be retreating from realism and choosing escapism with boundaries.

So what happened to the genre that once dominated playlists and watchlists?

The Rise—and Oversaturation—of True Crime

Initially, true crime filled a cultural gap. Shows like Making a Murderer and The Staircase introduced a gritty, binge-worthy form of storytelling that mixed suspense, mystery, and real-world impact. Podcasts such as Serial and My Favorite Murder added an addictive intimacy to the genre.

For Gen Z, many of whom grew up during the streaming boom, true crime felt like an immersive dive into justice, psychology, and the dark edges of society.

However, as with any popular genre, the sheer volume of content eventually led to oversaturation. New releases began to blend together. Retellings of the same cases, questionable reenactments, and dramatized victim stories became harder to distinguish from one another.

Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Burnout

Perhaps more importantly, Gen Z is becoming increasingly conscious of mental health—and true crime doesn’t always sit well in that equation. Listening to detailed accounts of violence, trauma, and injustice day after day can take a toll.

Many young viewers now describe a sense of compassion fatigue. While they may care deeply about the victims and systemic issues involved, the endless exposure to disturbing content often leads to emotional exhaustion.

In response, some are choosing to protect their mental space. They're unfollowing crime-centered creators, muting keywords, or actively seeking lighter content that offers psychological distance.

Ethics Are Part of the Conversation

Another reason for the shift? Moral discomfort. In recent years, true crime has faced growing criticism for monetizing tragedy. Documentaries, podcasts, and TikToks that dive into real cases often raise questions about victim exploitation, consent, and accuracy.

For a generation that values ethical consumption, this matters. Gen Z audiences frequently question who’s profiting from a story—and whether the people directly affected have agreed to its telling.

Consequently, many have started to feel uneasy about bingeing someone's worst moment for entertainment. Fiction, in contrast, offers suspense and emotion without the moral gray area.

The Return of Fictional Thrillers and Mystery

As interest in true crime cools, fictional mystery and crime genres are seeing a major resurgence. Shows like Only Murders in the Building and books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder provide the thrill of investigation—without real-world consequences.

These stories deliver the same appeal: high stakes, tension, and clever reveal. However, they do so in constructed worlds where no real person is harmed. That difference, while subtle on the surface, can offer emotional relief.

Moreover, fictional stories allow for closure. True crime often ends with ambiguity or unresolved grief. Fiction gives us endings that feel satisfying, redemptive, or just—something many Gen Z viewers crave.

Comfort in Control and Escapism

The world Gen Z has grown up in—riddled with climate anxiety, economic stress, and social upheaval—has already been intense. As a result, many young people now seek comfort in escapism, not further confrontation with harsh realities.

Fiction provides a sense of control. Even dark or dystopian stories feel safer because the stakes are fictional. The audience can process tension without absorbing trauma. It’s storytelling with emotional training wheels—and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.

TikTok and BookTok’s Role in the Shift

Social media trends are also nudging Gen Z away from true crime. Platforms like TikTok and BookTok have exploded with fictional recs, especially in the thriller, romance-mystery, and cozy horror genres.

Creators post fan theories, aesthetic edits, and plot breakdowns—all without ethical baggage. As a result, fictional stories often feel more communal and creative, where viewers get to interact with the narrative instead of just absorbing it.

Plus, the rise of genre-blending (like romantic thrillers or fantasy mysteries) makes fiction feel fresh, diverse, and less formulaic.

That Doesn’t Mean True Crime Is Gone

To be clear, true crime isn’t disappearing—it’s just being reexamined. Audiences are still interested in justice, criminal psychology, and unsolved mysteries. However, they want it served more thoughtfully.

There’s a growing demand for content that centers on victims, challenges systemic flaws, and avoids sensationalism. Some Gen Z creators are even redefining the genre by focusing on ethical storytelling, survivor voices, and restorative justice.

So while the obsession may be fading, the impact of true crime remains—it’s simply being reshaped.

Where Fiction Wins: Creativity and Possibility

What fiction offers that true crime can’t is the ability to imagine new outcomes. Writers can create worlds where justice is served, where the underdog wins, where trauma is acknowledged and healed.

In fiction, there’s room for catharsis—something reality doesn’t always offer.

Whether it’s a young sleuth solving campus murders, a fantasy world hiding dark secrets, or a sci-fi court drama, these stories allow Gen Z to process the unknown while still holding onto hope, agency, and curiosity.

Final Thoughts: Fiction as Self-Care

In 2025, Gen Z isn’t just rejecting true crime—they’re redefining their relationship with media. They’re learning to set emotional boundaries, ask ethical questions, and seek content that supports their mental well-being.

The rise of fictional thrillers, cozy mysteries, and dark academia isn’t accidental. It reflects a deeper shift: a move toward stories that challenge and entertain—without leaving emotional scars.

Ultimately, it’s not about escaping reality altogether. It’s about choosing what kind of reality we want to engage with—and finding healing in the imaginary when the real world feels too heavy.