The article discusses the topic of fascination for crime from a cultural point of view. It’s focused on two aspects: the emotional dimension and the role it assumes in contemporary society. From an emotional standpoint, it is assumed that the “sublime” constitutes the emotional experience to be placed in the center of the process, furthermore, the article draws a parallel between the concepts of the “sublime” (Burke), “awe” (Haidt & Keltner) and the “uncanny” (Freud). Regarding the role played by the fascination for crime and the sublime in contemporary society, the article provides a reflection on the concepts of enjoyment, commodification and collective effervescence, inspired by the thought of Lacan and Maffesoli.
