Study Finds Rising Mentions of Killing in Movie Dialogue Over Five Decades

Researchers observed a steady increase in 'murderous verbs' across film genres, raising concerns about media violence and its potential impacts.

A study analyzing dialogue from over 160,000 English-language films from 1970 to 2020 found a significant rise in the use of words like 'kill' and 'murder.'
The increase in violent language was observed across all genres, including non-crime films, with male characters showing a steeper rise than females.
Researchers calculated that 0.37% of verbs in 2020 films were linked to violent deaths, up from 0.21% in the early 1970s, based on a conservative analysis of dialogue.
Experts suggest the trend reflects growing competition for audience attention, with violence being a key element to engage viewers.
The study emphasizes the importance of promoting media literacy and mindful consumption, particularly to protect children and other vulnerable groups.