Netflix Has Asked Viewers To Please Stop Lusting After Ted Bundy, Convicted Serial Killer

Convicted serial killer Ted Bundy is so “hot” right now, at the movies and on TV, due to a new biopic and limited documentary series. The resurgence in interest is partially due to these projects being timed around the 30th anniversary of Bundy’s execution, and even the fact that he was a prolific murderer (who targeted and killed at least 30 women) apparently hasn’t stopped people from swooning over a killer with movie-star looks and ripped abs. Likewise, the controversy has poured forth in response. Sundance’s premiere of Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile has been criticized for romanticizing a serial killer, and on Netflix, the Conversations With A Killer docuseries has sparked such a flutter that Netflix felt the need to bring folks back to reality.

“I’ve seen a lot of talk about Ted Bundy’s alleged hotness,” Netflix’s official account tweeted. “[A]nd would like to gently remind everyone that there are literally THOUSANDS of hot men on the service — almost all of whom are not convicted serial murderers.”

— Netflix US (@netflix) January 28, 2019

The use of the word “convicted” in the above tweet does land as an interesting inclusion. After all, Netflix users are also lusting after Penn Badgley’s You stalker (who’s also a serial killer), a phenomenon that has horrified Badgley, although that trend sees no end in sight. This also isn’t the first time in recent memory that Netflix has tweeted a mini-lecture that feels necessary. The streaming service warned viewers against taking the #BirdBoxChallenge that saw people blindfolding themselves while carrying out mundane tasks that could be potentially dangerous without, you know, being able to see.

Ahead of Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile‘s premiere, director Joe Berenger told UPROXX why Zac Efron’s good looks and charisma made him perfect to play Bundy, and it appears that that casting has been as effective as anticipated for the Sundance picture. Likewise for the addictive nature of Conversations With A Killer, which Netflix previously warned people not to watch alone.

— Netflix US (@netflix) January 25, 2019

Whether they’re watching alone or not, there are tweets out there from Netflix viewers claiming to have a “crush” on Bundy now. We won’t include those examples here, but these users can’t believe it’s happening either.

— (@thholyghost) January 27, 2019

I can’t believe y’all are really out here even pretending to have crushes on Ted Bundy. It was precisely his manipulative, generically handsome caucasity that allowed him to get away with these killings for so long.

And no I haven’t the Netflix doc, I’m good. https://t.co/PCVmDAxE0Q

— Beyoncé’s Credit Report (@NegressElba) January 29, 2019

How the hell are people saying that they have a crush on Ted Bundy

I mean if you’re into sociopathic serial killers THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU

The Netflix documentary scared the hell out of me. He was a monster.

A. MONSTER

— Janell (@janellvictoriaa) January 27, 2019