Attractive criminals are often treated as celebrities rather than lawbreakers. Here’s how “hello.” … [+]
In December 2024, Luigi Mangione was accused of fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. Many on social media rushed to his rescue, citing his smile, physique and charisma – calling his actions a form of social justice.
This perception has made him something of a “folk hero” or anti-hero for many. For good reason, not all mainstream media are as positive about the story, but there is a strong focus on his appearance nonetheless. So why are people drawn to this man and demanding his release when he allegedly committed a crime in broad daylight? The “Halo Effect” may be to blame.
The halo effect is an unconscious act of stereotyping, where you notice a positive quality about a person and attribute other positive qualities to them, which may not be true. This may explain biases elsewhere, such as in hiring practices where recruiters hire more attractive candidates than others, simply because they “seem” more polite, intelligent, or qualified because of their looks.
Here are three possible reasons why attractive criminals get so much attention and favor.
1. Their charisma can influence public perception
The idea of a charismatic person being a killer is intriguing to many. 1970s American serial killer, rapist and necrophiliac Ted Bundy – who confessed to at least 30 murders – was the talk of the town long after his 1989 execution.
Society plays an important role in reinforcing the halo effect around criminals like Bundy. Media coverage often emphasizes their charm or intelligence, which can inadvertently glamorize their despicable actions.
This portrayal runs counter to societal expectations of murderers, who are often stereotyped as outcasts or distinctly dangerous individuals. Instead, charismatic killers challenge these stereotypes by adhering to social norms of attachment, commitment, and belief systems. This contradiction captivates the public and fuels intrigue, as seen in the enduring legacy of the Bundy story, even decades later.
A 2016 study in International Journal of Forensic Sciences highlights how social factors, such as an unstable or abusive childhood, dark personality traits, and severe mental illness can contribute to the making of a killer.
However, charismatic killers like Bundy complicate this narrative by blending into society, using their charm and social performance skills as a means to manipulate others and mask their true intentions. Bundy’s lack of empathy and reluctance to take risks may have prompted his actions, but his charm significantly influenced how his crimes were perceived and how he lured in his victims.
The halo effect also clouds public judgment about such individuals. Their charisma distracts from understanding the deeper psychological and social factors that may have contributed to their crimes. This bias underscores the need for a critical analysis of how societal perceptions and media representations may inadvertently romanticize or normalize the actions of charismatic criminals.
2. Social media trends can romanticize attractive criminals
Social media can amplify the halo effect surrounding criminals, influencing public perception in ways that mainstream media often cannot. As many people favor social media over traditional news media for entertainment and information, this shift affects how criminals are portrayed and perceived. Content on these platforms can glorify their actions, fueling disbelief in mainstream narratives, creating a sense of intimacy with the accused.
For example, less than a month after he was arrested, Mangione has become a sex symbol on social media, with users praising not only his actions, but also his appearance. Viral videos show close-ups of his face as he is taken into custody, focusing on his style and appearance.
This praise has reached absurd heights, with some even arguing that he could not have been the perpetrator – citing the differences between the masked killer’s eyebrows and Mangione’s bare face.
This phenomenon aligns with a broader trend—a 2021 survey conducted by Reuters Institute found that the US has the lowest trust in the news media globally, with only 29% of respondents expressing confidence in it.
While global trust in news increased slightly after the pandemic, this strong distrust of mainstream media may be a key factor driving audiences to social media for sensational narratives that amplify the halo effect.
3. We have an innate desire to find meaning in evil
The halo effect plays a major role in shaping public perception of individuals like Mangione, where perceptions of positive traits or actions obscure the immorality of their crimes. In Mangione’s case, his Ivy League background and his justification for his actions — addressing systemic issues in the U.S. health care system — contributed to a perception of him as a hero rather than just a criminal.
Society’s desire to find meaning in evil actions, especially when related to widely recognized injustices, amplifies the halo effect. Mangione’s alleged crime, while reprehensible, resonated with a section of the public who share his frustration with inequities in the health care system.
As Dr Paul Kooistra explains in a study published in Symbolic interactionsuch “heroic criminals” often emerge during periods of widespread disillusionment with institutions, embodying a form of deviance that seems to challenge systemic flaws rather than embody pure evil.
The halo effect in this context stems from Mangione’s ability to present his crime as an act of innovation, where goals are pursued through unconventional or illegal means when legitimate avenues are perceived as unattainable. This appeals to common public grievances, causing some to overlook the violence of the act in favor of the larger “message” it represents.
This dynamic also highlights the role of the audience in constructing the idea of deviance. Without an audience to contextualize and interpret his actions, Mangione’s alleged crime can simply be categorized as senseless violence. Instead, his background, perceived intellect, and alignment with public frustrations create a narrative that elevates him in the eyes of many, regardless of the gravity of these actions.
The halo effect has the dangerous power to influence legal outcomes, and furthermore, the “court” of public opinion. Regardless of the source of the information, maintaining balanced narratives is essential to ensure that such crimes are no longer justified or normalized.
Do you often feel deeply attached to or drawn to public figures? Take this science-backed test to find out about your level of parasocial connection: Celebrity Attitude Scale
