The 21st-Century Serial Killer Movie: Exploring the Complexities of True Crime A look at some of the best serial killer movies of the 21st century, exploring their unique take on true crime and the complex psychology of killers and law enforcement officers. Serial killer movies that offer a sense of dread over gore are often the most intense and intriguing crime movies in the genre. They offer a complex look at the psychology of killers and the law enforcement officers trying to stop them. The best of these films often take place in modern times, with big name directors taking on the topic. That gives them a lot more prestige than the genre used to contain, with many of them moving more toward procedural obsession rather than focusing on slasher-style violence.The 21st-century serial killer movies also focus a great deal on real-life murderers, and high-quality directors often focus on craft and re-watchability over shock value, giving these movies a longer lifespan than past films in the genre. They also span language barriers, with one of the best of the 21st century exploring the first serial killer case in South Korea's history.Notable Films Featuring Detective And KillerThese movies include The Snowman, a serial killer movie based on Jo Nesbø's novel, directed by Tomas Alfredson, which follows detective Harry Hole as he hunts down a serial killer targeting young mothers building a snowman as his calling card. Although the movie isn't as good as it could have been due to poor weather conditions during filming, it still manages to pass off as a decent thriller.Another notable example is Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a serial killer movie that plays out as a courtroom drama, following the trial of Ted Bundy as he stands trial for various murders. The movie mostly follows Bundy's girlfriend Liz Kendall, played by Lily Collins, throughout the ordeal.Red Dragon And Longlegs Stand OutOther notable examples include Red Dragon, which is the second adaptation of the Thomas Harris book series about the serial-killing cannibal Hannibal Lecter, and Longlegs, a horror movie set in the 1990s about a serial killer tied to a string of family murder-suicides across Oregon, and starring Maika Monroe as an FBI agent hunting him down. The movie also stars Nicolas Cage as the occult-obsessed serial killer, and has a creepy doll motif inspired by the JonBenét Ramsey case.The Black Phone takes the serial killer genre back to its horror roots, and is directed by Scott Derrickson, who has strong roots in the horror genre, and is based on a story by Joe Hill.