serial killer vs hero

Serial Killer vs Action Hero with Rob Hugel and Nate Williams

#Podcast

2025/1/7 Edited to

... Read moreWow, if you're anything like me, you've probably spent countless hours pondering those 'what if' scenarios – especially when it comes to classic hero-vs-villain tropes! That's exactly why I was so hooked on The Rob Stern Show's discussion about an action hero confronting a serial killer. It's not about real-life horrors, but about the sheer brilliance of imagining how these larger-than-life characters would actually interact in a high-stakes, ridiculous situation. The podcast really dives into the unexpected. We're used to seeing action heroes, you know, the ones with impressive muscles and a collection of 'guns,' just effortlessly dispatching villains. But what happens when the villain, in this case, a serial killer, throws an utterly bizarre wrench into the hero's carefully planned monologue? The hosts and guests, Rob Hugel and Nate Williams, expertly navigate this comedic minefield. They paint this vivid picture of an Empire State Building rooftop showdown, a classic setting for an epic confrontation. But instead of a gritty, intense battle, you get this hilarious exchange. The hero, described as a 'fastidious action hero,' is ready for his big speech, probably something dramatic like 'Your reign of terror has come to an end!' Then, the serial killer, instead of a menacing threat, drops a line about having the hero's 'mother in my basement!' Can you imagine the hero's face? It's that moment of pure, awkward discomfort that makes the podcast so brilliant. It’s a complete subversion of expectations, taking the air out of the dramatic tension in the most unexpected way. The OCR even picked up on 'The serial killer uncomfortable,' which perfectly sums up the vibe when the tables are turned in such a funny, human way. It really made me think about why we're so drawn to these character types in fiction. On one hand, you have the action hero, a symbol of justice and strength, always ready to save the day, perhaps a bit rigid in their approach. On the other, the serial killer, often portrayed as cunning and unpredictable, a shadowy figure. The genius of this podcast is in exploring the human element behind the archetypes. It’s less about glorifying violence and more about dissecting the absurdities that can arise when two extremes meet in a fictional setting. It’s a masterclass in how to find humor in the darkest corners of pop culture, making you reflect on common narrative clichés with a fresh, often laugh-out-loud perspective. I loved how they considered every detail, from the hero's potential emotional reaction to such an out-of-left-field provocation to the sheer unlikelihood of the scenario itself. It’s a fantastic example of creative storytelling and improv, turning a potentially grim topic into something genuinely entertaining and thought-provoking. If you love podcasts that challenge your perceptions and make you laugh, you absolutely have to check out this episode. It’s a reminder that even the most serious-sounding topics can be explored with wit and a unique sense of humor, offering a fresh take that leaves you wondering, 'What if?' long after it ends.

Related posts

A person holds an open book, with the title "BOOKS TO UNDERSTAND NOTORIOUS FEMALE SERIAL KI!!ERS" overlaid, featuring a Halloween pumpkin icon.
A person holds an open book, with the cover of "MONSTER MY TRUE STORY" by Aileen Wuornos superimposed, highlighting that it was "WRITTEN BY THE SERIAL KI!!ER HERSELF".
A person holds an open book, with the cover of "BURIED BENEATH THE BOARDING HOUSE" by Ryan Green superimposed, stating "GUESTS CHECKED IN— BUT NEVER CHECKED OUT".
Uncovering Female Serial Ki!!er Psychology 🩸🔪
🩸True crime junkie question: why do you think more female serial killers aren’t caught? 🔪My take: I think it’s because they are long game thinkers and are often overlooked because of general stigmatization. If you’ve been around a while you’ve probably heard of some of these. What other b
Kimmie ᨒ↟

Kimmie ᨒ↟

2145 likes

This image introduces a book recommendation list for understanding serial killer psychology, showing a person holding a light green book.
This image features the book "The Psychology of Notorious Serial Killers" by Todd Grande, PhD, with an overlay stating "Name says it all," presented over a person holding an open book.
This image displays two books by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker: "The Anatomy of Motive" (described as "A broad overview") and "Mindhunter" (noted as "Also a TV series"), shown over a person holding an open book.
Understanding Serial Ki!!er Psychology 🔪🩸
If you like this kind of thing can we befriends without it being weird? No one else I know of is fascinated by the Psychology of serial killers like I am. These have been some of my favorites to research so far though, I have an entire list of ones based on Female ones too even though they
Kimmie ᨒ↟

Kimmie ᨒ↟

1710 likes

A hand holds the cover of the thriller novel 'Thirteen' by Steve Cavanagh. The dark cover features the title in white and red, with the tagline 'The serial killer isn't on trial HE'S ON THE JURY'. It displays review quotes and an award for 'Old Peculier crime novel of the year'.
Thirteen Serial Killers
I don't usually read thrillers and was wondering if anybody has read this and what were your thoughts? #thrillerreviews #thrillernovel #mystery thriller #thriller mystery #mystery & thriller Oklahoma #lemon8diarychallenge http://www.amazon.com/dp/1035414996/ref=nosim?tag=crea
MJ

MJ

5057 likes

do you like reading about serial killers?
i think this pairing is SO fun because these books could not be more different, even though they both involve a lot of murder. one is dark and moody and stressful while the other is more whimsical and fantastical and fun. they really capture both of my reading moods! #lemon8partner #
Steph 📚💫

Steph 📚💫

1307 likes

A title slide for a list of serial killer mystery-thrillers, featuring a spooky house in a foggy, orange-hued landscape, with text reading '5 serial killer mystery-thrillers that F*CKING terrified me'.
The book cover for 'Ritual' by Mo Hayder, depicting a dark, textured image with a hand, accompanied by a summary about a detective investigating body parts and occult rituals.
The book cover for 'Lies and Bones' by RJ Law, showing a silhouette of a person walking down a dark, narrow alley, with a summary about victims arranged in alleys and morbid riddles.
These serial killer thrillers wrecked me
They’re dark, intense, and full of scenes I wish I could unsee. If you're searching for: 🩸 serial killer books 🔪 dark mystery thrillers 📚 crime thriller books 💀 psychological thriller books 🧠 books that messed me up ☠️ disturbing thriller books 🚨 books with serial killers 😱 thrille
Great Thriller Reads

Great Thriller Reads

450 likes

Serial Killer Reading Recs
Fiction and Nonfiction!! ~ #serialkiller #lemon8bookclub #currentlyreading #reading #horrorbooks #thrillerbooks #thrillerbookrecs #horrorcommunity #romancebooks #readersoflemon8
Chy 📚

Chy 📚

154 likes

A hand holds a dark book titled 'What Would I Do For You' (Decadent Collector's Edition) by W. Winters, featuring gold text and pink floral art. The background shows books with bright pink edges.
Serial killer romance but make it pretty
the decadent editions are exclusive to Kickstarter … and another will be happening soon 😘
Willow Winters

Willow Winters

467 likes

Serial killer thrillers
Both of these books are crime mystery set in a fictional Florida town. If you like reading about serial unalivers, check thee out! 📚 #thrillerbooks #thrillerobsessed #thrillerbookrecommendations #kindleunlimited
SaraKate Thriller Author

SaraKate Thriller Author

19 likes

Serial Killer Thrillers
🔪They Never Learn by Layne Fargo -A woman has been killing men for years, and enjoying it, finds her under investigation. 🔪The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard -A serial killer, murders an entire family leaving a little girl. Now that she is older, she is driven to identify this killer to
Cassidy R.

Cassidy R.

267 likes

A dark, black and white image featuring a dense background of human skulls. Overlayed in white text are the words "MOVIES BASED OFF REAL SERIAL KILLERS." A small Lemon8 logo and username are in the bottom left corner.
A movie poster for "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" featuring Zac Efron and Lily Collins. Efron, in an orange jumpsuit, speaks into a phone while Collins listens intently. Text indicates it's a Sky Cinema original based on Ted Bundy.
A movie poster for "The Silence of the Lambs" showing a close-up of a woman's face with red eyes and a death's-head hawkmoth covering her mouth. Text states "Also inspired by Ted Bundy" and the movie title.
MOVIES BASED OFF REAL SERIAL KILLERS
-Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil (8/10)- it is a story that talks about a single mother who falls for serial killer Ted Bundy and how she couldn’t believe that he one of the most gruesome serial killers known. - Silents of the Lambs (9/10)- top student at the FBI academy, is asked to interview
Allie Boo 💋

Allie Boo 💋

1736 likes

A person holds an open book, with overlay text "Books on SERIAL KI!!ERS From CALIFORNIA," serving as the title for a list of true crime books.
A person holds an open book featuring "The Night Stalker" by Philip Carlo, detailing Richard Ramirez's crimes in Southern California during the 1980s.
A person holds a glass, with "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" by Michelle McNamara visible, covering the investigation into the Golden State Killer in California.
Do you recognize these California Serial Ki!!ers?🔪
Little known Serial Ki!!ers. California’s Dark Side: Who Terrorized the Golden State? When we think of California, it’s all sun, beaches, and Hollywood dreams—but lurking in its shadows are some of the most notorious serial killers in history. From the Zodiac Killer in Northern California to the
Kimmie ᨒ↟

Kimmie ᨒ↟

123 likes

KU serial killer thriller !! 🔥
This book was so unbelievably good and had no business doing so. You can write books about serial killers so many times and so many different ways. But THHHIIIISSSS.. it’s just TOOOOO good. The shocking twist at the end, went right over my head at first and then it was addressed AGAIN and I
Cassidy 📖

Cassidy 📖

175 likes

Terrifying serial killer thrillers
Here are some chilling AF mystery thriller books that are definitily must reads! #thrillerbooks #crimefiction #thrillerbooktok #mysterybooks #mustreadbooks
Thriller Book Recs 2025

Thriller Book Recs 2025

23 likes

My Father is a Serial Killer by Spencer Guerrero
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was really good mind blowing 🤯 with some crazy twist. #honestbookreview #lemon8bookclub #books #booktok #bookrecommendations
Tiffany Baker

Tiffany Baker

313 likes

Thriller book recs with serial killers 🔪
These were bone chilling but so dang good! Some of them literally made me too scared to read before bed. But all of them were five star reads #thrillerbookrecommendations #thriller mystery #thrillerstories #thrillertok #lemon8bookcommunity
thrilleraddict

thrilleraddict

59 likes

Serial killer thrillers that terrified me
Omfg I can’t say enough good things about these dark serial killer mystery thriller books! Must reads all!!! #mustread #crimefiction #thrillerbook #thrillerbooks #thrillerbooktok
Great Thriller Books

Great Thriller Books

51 likes

A dark, eerie image with a ghostly figure, overlaid with the text "6 SERIAL KILLER mystery thriller books that GENUINELY terrified me."
The book cover for "The Butterfly Garden" by Dot Hutchison, featuring a white butterfly, accompanied by a review praising its gripping and unforgettable nature.
The book cover for "The Whisper Man" by Alex North, a New York Times Bestseller with a black handprint, alongside a review describing it as genuinely terrifying.
Chilling serial killer thrillers
These mystery thriller books were so chilling and soooo good! #booktok #thrillerbooks #crimefiction #thrillerbooktok #mysterybooks
Great Thriller Books

Great Thriller Books

14 likes

Living with a famous SERIAL KILLER
Pierson

Pierson

664 likes

A dark red background with various red and black sharp objects like knives, axes, and cleavers, along with hands and chains. White text reads "SERIAL KILLER MOVIES THAT ARE BASED ON TRUE STORIES."
A movie poster for "THE GIRL WHO ESCAPED" featuring a woman with a finger to her lips, framed by dripping blood. Text details the movie is about Richard Evonitz, released in 2023, with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.
A movie poster for "THE GOOD NURSE" featuring Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain, framed by dripping blood. Text details the movie is about Charles Cullen, released in 2022, with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute.
serial killer movies thatare based on true stories
I got this Idea from someone cause I thought it was really good I don't think that they are posting anymore which is really sad cause their posts are good but hope y'all like mine too. #murder #creepymovie #killers
not_riley

not_riley

902 likes

serial killer/fbi agent
this series is one of my top favorite dark romances🖤💀 #books #lemon8bookclub #darkromance #lemon8diarychallenge
katie📚🖤

katie📚🖤

28 likes

A television screen displays a blurry blue image with white text, suggesting a Netflix documentary. An overlay reads 'Netflix Documentary For Your Next Binge,' promoting the content for viewing.
A television screen shows the title card for the documentary 'GONE GIRLS THE LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER' over an image of a dark road, indicating the subject matter.
A television screen displays a woman holding a pink sign with 'SHANNAN MARIA GILBERT' written on it, next to a white Suffolk County police vehicle, highlighting a key figure in the case.
The Gilgo Four & The Long Island Serial Killer
🚨NEW ON NETFLIX !! 🚨 I first heard this case back in 2018 on Crime Junkie when Ashley & Britt covered it, & what we come to learn is just as crazy as what was presented seven years ago. Gone Girls, The Long Island Serial Killer, starts by diving right into the catalyst of this case,
Jay 🌙

Jay 🌙

22 likes

A Serial Killer Stalks the Teens of Morgan City
In 1978, 5 teenagers near Morgan City, Louisiana went missing. Three would be found, murdered. Two, Bertha Gould and Mary Rodermund, are still missing. We tell the full story on the podcast She Goes by Jane. #crimeinvestigation #murders #truecrimestories #truecrime
Aimée | GIRLHUNT Media

Aimée | GIRLHUNT Media

72 likes

anti-hero men who get the girl
These men are moral gray, honestly some are morally black. But why do we want them to get the girl? Why do we relate to the villain?? I’m just a girl. Who is your morally gray fictional man? THERE ARE NO SAINTS: serial unaliver (who is also a well-known artist in San Francisco) sees a woman
Hannah Pilgrim

Hannah Pilgrim

862 likes

A book cover for 'Love Letters to a Serial Killer' by Tasha Coryell, featuring a pink background and cut-out letters. Overlays indicate a 'Thriller Romance Book Review!' with 4 stars and a 'SWIPE' prompt.
love letters to a serial killer: book review 💌
“Love Letters to a Serial Killer” by Tasha Coryell is a captivating blend of romance and suspense that keeps readers hooked from the start. The unique premise of a woman exchanging letters with a convicted serial killer adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. Coryell expertly explores themes of
🍂🌵Shantel🌿🍄

🍂🌵Shantel🌿🍄

44 likes

A title card on a background of white sheer curtains adorned with ivy and string lights, displaying the text "Books Where the FMC is a Serial" with a skull and knife emoji.
The book cover for "How I'll Kill You" by Ren DeStefano, featuring a pink box of chocolates with skull-shaped candies, set against white sheer curtains with ivy and string lights.
The book cover for "Butcher & Blackbird" by Brynne Weaver, showing a dark design with pink accents, silhouettes, and weapons, set against white sheer curtains with ivy and string lights.
Books Where the FMC is a Serial 💀🔪
#books #bookrecommendations #bookwormsoflemon8 #booksoflemon8 #booktok #readersoflemon8
Keeks 📖🏹

Keeks 📖🏹

773 likes

The book cover for 'My Sister, the Serial Killer' by Oyinkan Braithwaite, featuring a person in a headwrap and red sunglasses. The title is in bright green text, with a New York Times quote. The book is resting on dark fabric.
My Sister, the Serial Killer Review ✨🔪
Rating: 8/10 This story follows Korede as she navigates life as her younger sister Ayoola's "keeper." Ayoola, who constantly receives grand remarks about her beauty, has no trouble attracting male attention. However, the issue lies in the way her romantic relationships tend to end.
Dread

Dread

8 likes

A hand holds the book "The Good Lie" by A. R. Torre, a psychological thriller. Text annotations around the book highlight plot points such as "6 teens murdered one escaped," a psychologist analyzing a serial killer, a lawyer seeking justice, and an unexpected twist.
Could the killer be one of her patients? 🔪📋👨‍⚕️
Dr. Gwen Moore specializes in violent tendencies and killer behavior. She’s a psychiatrist who works with patients that have thoughts of harming others, and although she’s very good at her job she loses one of her patients making her question her abilities as a doctor. At the same time a 17 year ol
Maddy.walls

Maddy.walls

91 likes

A sepia-toned image shows a young girl in a light dress floating in a forest. Text overlay reads '6 SERIAL KILLER mystery thriller books that truly terrified me' and 'Lemon8 @greatthrillerread'.
The book cover for 'The Crucifix Killer' by Chris Carter is shown against a forest background. A review snippet describes it as 'dark, punishing, and merciless from start to finish,' building dread.
The book cover for 'The Butterfly Garden' by Dot Hutchison, featuring a white butterfly, is displayed. A review calls it 'disturbing' and 'unique,' leaving a lasting impression.
Serial killer mystery thrillers
Omg, I can’t recommend these serial killer mystery thriller books enough! So chilling and soooo good! #thrillerbooks #crimefiction #mysterybook #serialkiller #thrillerbooktok
Great Thriller Reads

Great Thriller Reads

4 likes

Date with a Serial Killer
For the dark romance girlies! #romantickiller #darklove #nintendoswitch
Wheezy_Demon

Wheezy_Demon

2 likes

A hand holds the black book cover of 'How to Catch a Killer' by Katherine Ramsland, PhD, from the 'Profiles in Crime' series. The title is in white text over a red fingerprint pattern, with the subtitle 'Hunting and Capturing the World's Most Notorious Serial Killers'.
How To Catch A Killer! 👀🔪
Book 1 of 5 in the “Profiles in Crime series” This book is hands down one of my favorites and does a great job balancing the oooous and ahhhhs vs actual facts/info! Quick question, do y’all who enjoy true crime like I do, have a “favorite” serial killer? 🤷🏽‍♀️🤣🤣 💵 Price: $12.99 Purchased from:
FELICIA MAE

FELICIA MAE

7 likes

BTK Killer Caught After 30 Years
BTK Killer Caught After 30 Years Because He Asked About a Floppy Disk. 30 years of perfect crimes... one floppy disk mistake #truecrime #serialkiller #btk #thearchivistfiles
The Archivist Files

The Archivist Files

75 likes

a new take: serial killer book
I've been living this book, it dives into some women who were affected by Ted Bundy(names and details fictionalized). I like that it focuses not on him but on the women. I also read her other book Luckiest Girl Alive, but so far, this one is better! #lemon8bookclub #lemon8bookchalleng
Madi📖💭✨

Madi📖💭✨

13 likes

A hand holds the book 'My Sister, the Serial Killer' by Oyinkan Braithwaite, featuring a woman in sunglasses on the cover. Text overlays include 'Just Finished', 'Rivalry', 'Sisterhood', and 'Murder', set against a sidewalk with a colorful chalk drawing.
A close-up of a book page from 'My Sister, the Serial Killer' with green highlights. The visible text describes the narrator's older sister, Ayoola, and the narrator's role in covering up her actions, pondering the consequences if Ayoola were caught.
A close-up of a book page from 'My Sister, the Serial Killer' with green highlights. The visible text discusses a character named Gboyega, Ayoola's manipulative behavior, and the narrator's realization of being a 'maga' (fool) due to Ayoola's actions.
My Sister the Serial Killer 🔪🌹
You know that person who seems to get everything they want, does whatever they want, and could LITERALLY get away with murder? Well, imagine being that person’s sister and the reason she gets away with it every single time. This book perfectly embodies sibling rivalry AND loyalty, even when it
illustrations_of_ash

illustrations_of_ash

12 likes

The book cover for 'Love Letters To A Serial Killer' by Tasha Coryell features a pink background with the title in a ransom-note style font. A subtitle reads 'P.S. Please don't kill me,' and a small blood splatter graphic is visible.
Love Letters To A Serial Killer 💌🔪💀😵
Basically if your into Dark Romance movies or tv shows and or books this is the perfect fit. It’s 46 chapters long but worth it the letters between them are insane and it’s fun to see how we struggle with so many insecurities but differentiates for each women but you see Hannah’s obsession with a l
BennieLuv

BennieLuv

11 likes

ICA AGENT SERIAL KILLER 4ALL THAT CaLD ME A LIER
LISAband3xs4 TRUTH postin🇺🇦

LISAband3xs4 TRUTH postin🇺🇦

18 likes

When a serial killer is chasing you
When a serial killer’s chasing you but you stop to give curl advice 🌀🔪 #CurlyHairHumor #CurlsSoGood #CurlyGirlProblems #CurlTok #HairTok
Michaela Madrigal | curly girl

Michaela Madrigal | curly girl

763 likes

If you enjoyed Totally killer…
#movie #movierecommendation #totallykiller #mybestfriendsexorsism #finalgirls #freaky #detention #lisafrankenstein #fearstreet ⭐️Totally Killer: 3/5 ⭐️My best friends exorcism : 2/5 ⭐️Final Girls: 3.5/5 ⭐️Freaky: 4/5 ⭐️Lisa Frankenstein : 4/5
chloe

chloe

199 likes

Serial Killer🔪🩸
Serial Killer turns your game night into a thrilling hunt where every clue matters and no one can be trusted. 👀🔪 #killergames #serialkiller #boardgames #ThrillerGames #truejoyboardgaming
Sarah - True•joy•board•gaming

Sarah - True•joy•board•gaming

35 likes

Serial killer 😎
Confession...🫣🤭...lol😁😍💓 #fyp #xuhu #mood #happy #funny #jokes #queen #motivation #insight #thoughts #selflove #goodvibes #goodvibestiktok
Natalie4ever21

Natalie4ever21

15 likes

A woman with dark hair and a fluffy black top poses against a city night skyline, surrounded by book covers. The text overlay reads "Books that exceeded my expectations," featuring titles like "No Reservations," "Blessings," "Homegoing," and "Tomorrow Died Yesterday."
A woman with dark hair and a pink top poses in a bathroom mirror, surrounded by book covers. The text overlay reads "Books that met my expectations," featuring titles such as "Kin," "Allow Me to Introduce Myself," "The Tiny Things Are Heavier," and "Behold the Dreamers."
A woman with dark hair and a beige top poses in a bathroom mirror, surrounded by book covers. The text overlay reads "Books that didn't meet my expectations," featuring titles like "The Lagos Wife," "Honey & Spice," "Transcendent Kingdom," and "This Kind of Trouble."
Expectation vs. Reality 📚
I had to do this trend! Do we have any books in the same category?! 🤭 Do you disagree with any of these picks? 👀 #bookish #booktok #booktrend #nemereads #readingcommunity
Certifiedchi

Certifiedchi

50 likes

A text snippet on a white background discusses handwriting analysis. It states that 'half print half cursive writing' is 'indicative of trauma' and 'commonly among serial killers.' This style, called 'print script,' suggests the writer is 'led by their intuition.' The phrase 'indicative of trauma' is highlighted in blue.
🔪ARE YOU A SERIAL KILLER🔪
🤣 #serialkillers #handwriting #intuition #Lemon8Diary #unfiltered
Tiphanie Dyme

Tiphanie Dyme

1 like

Kat Walker isn’t your ordinary serial killer.
She’s a nightmare dressed like a daydream and resourceful when it comes to taking out the trash a.k.a. “Brads”. Follow Kat Walker and a colorful cast of characters in this psychological thriller series set during Oktoberfest in Helen, Georgia where music and murder collide. L¡nk: https://a.c
Sheowolf

Sheowolf

0 likes

Serial KILLER Spirit
Serial KILLER Spirit. Learning the differences between spirit and residual energy can be developed in our Light Path Membership. The Light Path Membership provides accountability in your spiritual and intuitive development. Our comprehensive program includes coursework, monthly virtual meetings, se
TheLightSeer

TheLightSeer

4 likes

See more