There's a reason why Ted Bundy was so attractive to so many women

9 May 2019, 17:23

By Jazmin Duribe

This is why 'Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile' really caught your attention.

When Netflix first dropped the trailer for Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile everyone was thirsting over Zac Efron, who portrayed serial killer Ted Bundy. Of course, he's a Hollywood actor so that's normal, but some people are actually into serial killers.

Netflix's 'Extremely Wicked' has left some viewers feeling "sorry" for Ted Bundy

In real life, Bundy had a legion of female groupies who protested his innocence and would attend his highly publicised trial. His charm was in part how he managed to lure some of his victims and convince his wife Carole Ann Boone he was an innocent man.

But there's a reason why so many women were taken by Bundy, and other serial killers like Charles Manson and Richard Ramirez, despite his sick admission he had killed 30 women – and possibly even more.

A condition called hybristophilia could be why so many women became infatuated with him. Hybristophilia (or Bonnie and Clyde syndrome) is sexual paraphilia (perversion or deviation) for someone that has done something offensive or violent. Now, on the lesser end of the spectrum that may be something like cheating or lying, but it can also be committing a serious crime like rape or murder.

But what can be so attractive about a murder?! Well, apparently, a lot.

There's not actually that much research on the condition but according to Katherine Ramsland – who is a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University – some believe they have the power to change a serial killer. And then there are those who are looking for fame, are unlucky in love in "normal" ways, or see criminals as the "perfect" boyfriend.

"Criminals can make the 'perfect' boyfriend in a way," explained Louis B. Schlesinger, a professor of forensic psychology at John Jay College, to Women's Health. "These women know where their boyfriend is at all times, and they only have to share positive encounters with him."

Women visiting men in prison only see them for a limited amount of time when he would be on his best behaviour. They also don't have the burden of potentially doing everyday tasks for him like washing, cleaning and cooking. Ok then...

But there's absolutely no need to worry if you found yourself drooling over Zac in Extremely Wicked.

Being attracted to a hot actor playing a role and true crime is one thing, but actively seeking a relationship with a known killer is another.

Ultimately, if you're not sexually aroused by the idea of murder or something like that, then you probably don't have hybristophilia.