Why the most violent shows are more popular on Netflix

Farah Ali Khan
6 min readApr 24, 2022

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A promotional still poster from the show Hellbound. It is one of the most popular and violent shows on the Netflix.
A still poster from the show Hellbound. It is one of the most popular and violent shows on Netflix. (Image Courtesy: Netflix)

Netflix has been churning out a lot of violent content lately. Shows like “You” and “13 Reasons Why” have been accused of romanticizing violence and stalking behavior. Some experts say that this can have a normalizing effect on viewers, especially young ones who are still developing their sense of right and wrong.

What do you think? Is Netflix doing a disservice to its viewers by producing so much violent content? let's discuss it in detail.

Is Netflix a Breeding Ground for Violence and Stalking

Is Netflix normalizing violence and stalking? This is a question that has been asked time and time again, as the streaming service seems to produce more and more violent series.

Netflix has been criticized for its portrayal of violence in shows such as 13 Reasons Why, Squid Games, Hellbound, You (& you can have a list ), etc. with some suggesting that it romanticizes the behavior. There have also been concerns about the way in which Netflix portrays stalkers in shows like You.

There is no doubt that Netflix produces some excellent content. However, there is also a concern that it is normalizing violence and stalking behavior. This is something that should be addressed by the streaming service.

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Popular Violent Shows that Topped the Chart

Netflix has been churning out a lot of violent content lately. Shows like “Squid Games” and “You” have been praised for their gritty portrayal of teenage life, but some have criticized the streaming service for glamorizing violence.

Now, a number of internet users think that Netflix is indeed normalizing violence in its programming. The feedback gathered from various communities, observed on Social Media platforms, found that Netflix’s original programming is more likely to feature violence than other networks’ shows.

What’s more, the study found that Netflix is also more likely to romanticize stalking behavior. In the show “You,” for example, the protagonist’s obsessive stalking of his love interest is played off as cute and romantic.

Romanticizing Stalkers & Normalizing Obsessed Lover

We are living in an era where we need to teach society that love is not surrendering yourself to the other one. It is to live your life together in peace. Stalking is not loved & being possessive beyond sense is not normal at all.

It is observed that Netflix is more likely to feature violence than other networks’ shows & is also more likely to romanticize stalking. It is high time that Netflix & other content creators realize that they have a responsibility to society. They should not be glorifying violence or making light of stalking behavior. This could have a harmful effect on people, especially young people who are still forming their views on relationships.

So why does Netflix continue to produce violent content and romanticize stalking? Unfortunately, it’s all about money. Violence sells, and Netflix knows this. The streaming service is in the business of making money, and unfortunately, that means producing content that will appeal to the masses, even if it’s not necessarily good for them.

How can we Challenge the Depictions of Violence on Netflix

Ways in which we can challenge the normalized depictions of violence on Netflix are the following.

  1. Speak out against it on social media

One of the best ways to challenge anything is to speak out against it on social media. If you see a show on Netflix that you think is normalizing violence, speak out against it on Twitter or Facebook. Use the hashtag #StopNormalizingViolence to get your message out there.

2) Write to Netflix

Another way to challenge the status quo is to write to Netflix directly. You can use the contact form on their website to let them know that you’re not happy with the way they’re depicting violence in their programming.

3) Sign a petition

If you really want to make a difference, you can sign a petition calling on Netflix to change the way they produce and market their content. There are already a few petitions circulating online, so you can just sign one of those or start your own.

4) Boycott Netflix

Finally, you can always boycott Netflix if you’re really not happy with the way they’re doing business. There are plenty of other streaming services out there, so you can just switch to one of those instead.

Creating Safe and Healthy Viewing Habits for Ourselves and our Children

It is important that we teach our children about healthy viewing habits from a young age. Just as we wouldn’t let them watch graphic violence in movies or TV shows, we shouldn’t let them watch it on Netflix either.

We should also be careful about the amount of time we spend watching Netflix. If we’re spending too much time streaming content, it’s easy to become desensitized to the violence that we’re seeing.

We need to be mindful of the way Netflix is affecting us and make sure that we’re not letting it take over our lives. We should also be aware of the effect it’s having on our children and make sure that they’re not being exposed to too much violence.

What do you think about Netflix’s depiction of violence? Do you think it’s normalizing violence or stalking behavior? Let us know in the comments below.

Some Critically Acclaimed & Thought-Provoking Shows on Netflix

However, not everything is bad. It is just a matter of what you want to watch. Following is the list of the Top 12 most creative, critically acclaimed & thought-provoking shows on Netflix.

  1. Stranger Things

A group of kids in a small town faces off against an otherworldly threat.

2) Searching

After his daughter goes missing, a father takes to the internet to track her down. The show is an eye-opener that how through Social media, anyone can track the record of someone’s personal life. especially kids.

3) The Crown

This lavish drama chronicles the early days of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. The show is a fabulous walk through history & if you are a lover of British period drama, this is a must-watch for you.

4) Glow

This comedy series follows a group of women wrestlers in the 1980s.

5) Better Call Saul

This prequel to Breaking Bad follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill into the sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman.

6) Ozark

A financial advisor tries to keep his family afloat after getting involved with drug dealers.

7) The Handmaid’s Tale

This dystopian drama is set in a future where women are treated as property and are forced to bear children for the elite.

8) The Batman Trilogy

Christian Bale stars as the Caped Crusader in this action-packed trilogy. These batman movies have a strong message of hope, justice & fighting against all odds.

9) The Godfather Trilogy

This classic trilogy follows the Corleone family as they make their way into the world of organized crime. This critically acclaimed show has some of the best performances by some of the most iconic actors of all time.

10) The Talented Mr. Ripley

Matt Damon stars as a con artist who assumes the identity of a rich man in order to live a life of luxury. This psychological thriller will keep you guessing till the very end.

11) Da Vinci Code

Tom Hanks stars as a symbologist who must solve a series of puzzles to find the Holy Grail. This mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat. The movie followed by its sequels Angels & Demons and Inferno is also available on Netflix.

12) Dark

This German sci-fi series follows the residents of a small town who are grappling with the disappearance of two children. It is the most mind-blowing Physics & time theory-based show which will leave you speechless.

What are your favorite shows/movies on Netflix? Share in comment & let us know which genre you enjoy the most.

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Farah Ali Khan
Farah Ali Khan

Written by Farah Ali Khan

I am currently working in the fields of Content Writing & SEO. A Published Author, Multilingual, Quick Learner | Mother | Student of Digital marketing.

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