{"id":34612,"date":"2026-08-09T14:24:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T09:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=34612"},"modified":"2026-08-09T14:24:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T09:24:29","slug":"zach-gilford-slams-serial-killer-romanticization-in-criminal-minds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=34612","title":{"rendered":"Zach Gilford Slams Serial Killer Romanticization In \u2018Criminal Minds\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Paginator\">\n<header xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"sc-lfRwAv pSqCT\">\n<div class=\"sc-hndrU icIUoY\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/ok_logo_black_small.png\" alt=\"OK Logo\"\/><span class=\"entertainment\">ENTERTAINMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ foAbWl\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo jZjbnN\"><img data-mm-src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/0x0\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg\" alt=\"photo of Zach Gilford\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/480x251\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/640x335\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/768x402\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/1024x536\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/1280x670\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/1440x753\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/1600x837\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/2160x1130\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg?position=top 2160w\" data-sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"628\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu efvKbs\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: MEGA<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Zach Gilford discussed the dangers of romanticizing serial killers in &#8216;Criminal Minds: Evolution.&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-bTJPMs jOkeMf\">\n<div class=\"flexContainer\">\n<div class=\"flexContainer\">\n<div class=\"sc-hQYogJ iAyoZX\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/RI7jbXUbY\/120x120\/ok-pink-logo-1650489068371.png\" alt=\"Profile Image\" class=\"sc-fTFLOO jxvOeh\"\/><\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-dwxYxt eflEDT\">Aug. 9 2026, Published 5:05 a.m. ET<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-gVFdEO kziYVQ\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/p\/zach-gilford-shocks-fans-swollen-face-health-scare\/\">Zach Gilford<\/a>&#8216;s character, Elias Voit, confronts the troubling trend of glorifying serial killers in the latest season of <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/p\/criminal-minds-season-18-disciple-identity-revealed\/\"><em>Criminal Minds: Evolution<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>In a clip released by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/entertainment\/news\/criminal-minds-zach-gilford-questions-serial-killer-romanticization\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Us Weekly<\/em><\/a>, Voit takes a stand during a podcast interview with Brian Garrity, played by <strong>Paul F. Tompkins<\/strong>, making a powerful statement about the portrayal of killers in media.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/0x0\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"image of Zach Gilford's character, Elias Voit, confronts a true crime podcaster for spreading false information and sensationalizing his crimes in \u2018Criminal Minds: Evolution.\u2019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/480x270\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/640x360\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/768x432\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/1024x576\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/1280x720\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/1440x810\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/1600x900\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qFvYULA0X\/2160x1215\/zach-gilford-addresses-criminal-minds-evolution-theme-1785845166473.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: MEGA<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Zach Gilford&#8217;s character, Elias Voit, confronts a true crime podcaster for spreading false information and sensationalizing his crimes in \u2018Criminal Minds: Evolution.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>During the interview, Voit expresses his frustration when Garrity focuses on technical issues instead of addressing the misinformation spread about him. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is this? Oh, your levels are in the red? I\u2019m sorry, you\u2019re spreading lies about me and you\u2019re worried about your f&#8212;&#8212; levels?\u201d Voit exclaims, displaying his anger and challenging the narrative constructed around him.<\/p>\n<p>Further questioning Garrity\u2019s motives, Voit asks, \u201cWhy are you telling your listeners that I was trained by the government? It\u2019s because it gives you an explanation for me. It makes me seem smaller. Do I seem small right now?\u201d <\/p>\n<p>This powerful exchange highlights the dangerous allure of sensationalized narratives surrounding serial killers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/0x0\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"image of Elias Voit rejects attempts to romanticize serial killers by insisting he is not brilliant or special but simply a violent psychopath.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/480x270\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/640x360\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/768x432\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/1024x576\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/1280x720\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/1440x810\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/1600x900\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/JpH0MF9MY\/2160x1215\/zach-gilford-speaks-out-on-serial-killer-fascination-1785845171335.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: Criminal Minds\/CBS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Elias Voit rejects attempts to romanticize serial killers by insisting he is not brilliant or special but simply a violent psychopath.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>Garrity ultimately admits that \u201cnone\u201d of the conspiracies he spreads are true, prompting Voit to challenge the authenticity of his own portrayal. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour podcast, how much of it is actually true?\u201d Voit questions, pushing for accountability in the media\u2019s depiction of violent figures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>Voit\u2019s candid self-assessment reveals the depths of his character. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s nothing romantic about me. I\u2019m not brilliant. I am not special. I\u2019m an anti-social psychopath who can only get his heart rate up by killing people,\u201d he stated. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-jHcYrh hanhiD\">\n<p>MORE ON:<\/p>\n<p>Criminal Minds<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"sc-jLqSar MszUH\">\n<p class=\"sc-bUQzRK dZWmuA\">Want OK! each day? Sign up here!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/0x0\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"image of Paul F. Tompkins' character, Brian Garrity, admits that the conspiracy theories discussed on his podcast are not true after being challenged by Elias Voit.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/480x270\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/640x360\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/768x432\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/1024x576\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/1280x720\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/1440x810\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/1600x900\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/QGsTZww_M\/2160x1215\/zach-gilford-discusses-criminal-minds-evolution-1785845176996.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: Criminal Minds\/CBS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Paul F. Tompkins&#8217; character, Brian Garrity, admits that the conspiracy theories discussed on his podcast are not true after being challenged by Elias Voit.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>Gilford reflected on his character\u2019s evolution from <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/photos\/series-finale-of-criminal-minds-everything-to-know\/\">the series<\/a>&#8216; main antagonist to a more nuanced figure. <\/p>\n<p>\u201c<strong>Erica<\/strong> [<strong>Messer<\/strong>] talked to me about the vision for this season,\u201d he shared. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe was like, \u2018We really want to mess with the viewers\u2019 heads and make them feel bad for you.\u2019\u201d This shift aims to complicate the audience&#8217;s understanding of morality and accountability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>As Voit grapples with memories of his past, the show delves deeper into themes of regret and redemption. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of it is this guy who remembers nothing finding out \u2014 or realizing \u2014 everything he\u2019s done,\u201d Gilford explains. <\/p>\n<p>This complex portrayal invites viewers to empathize with a character who is both a villain and a victim of circumstance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/0x0\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"image of Season 19 of 'Criminal Minds: Evolution' will introduce a new villain known as The Fan.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/480x270\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/640x360\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/768x432\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/1024x576\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/1280x720\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/1440x810\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/1600x900\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Pkm1kKy8E\/2160x1215\/zach-gilford-on-the-dangers-of-romanticizing-killers-1785845182933.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: Criminal Minds\/CBS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Season 19 of &#8216;Criminal Minds: Evolution&#8217; will introduce a new villain known as The Fan.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>Season 19 promises to introduce a new antagonist, The Fan, who poses a significant threat to the BAU. <\/p>\n<p>As Voit seeks to atone for his past, the stakes are higher than ever. The official description hints at an intense exploration of morality and the consequences of obsession.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ENTERTAINMENT Source: MEGA Zach Gilford discussed the dangers of romanticizing serial killers in &#8216;Criminal Minds: Evolution.&#8217; Aug. 9 2026, Published 5:05 a.m. ET Article continues below advertisement Zach Gilford&#8216;s character, Elias Voit, confronts the troubling trend of glorifying serial killers in the latest season of Criminal Minds: Evolution. In a clip released by Us Weekly,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/2rgUiqVud\/1200x628\/zach-gilford-calls-out-serial-killer-romanticization-1785845159190.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34612"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34612\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}