Few criminal cases in recent years have captured the public’s imagination quite like that of Luigi Mangione, the man infamously dubbed “The CEO Killer.” A former blue-collar worker with an unassuming background, Mangione became a household name after a string of high-profile murders targeting corporate executives. His unique story, the bizarre public reaction, and the media frenzy surrounding him have elevated him to an unsettling level of infamy, sparking fan obsessions, pop culture adaptations, and divisive debates about the intersection of crime and celebrity.

 

The Murders and Their Shockwave

Luigi Mangione’s crime spree began in 2022 and lasted nearly a year. A series of meticulously planned attacks targeted CEOs of multinational corporations, each crime linked by the use of seemingly ordinary tools and symbols—a wrench, a plunger, or overalls—tools Mangione claimed represented the forgotten working class. His victims included some of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in industries ranging from tech to pharmaceuticals.

 

Mangione’s manifesto, released post-capture, painted him as a warped Robin Hood figure, railing against income inequality and unchecked corporate greed. He claimed he was “fighting for the little guy,” an anti-heroic narrative that resonated with some segments of the public, even as his violent methods horrified others.

 

A Surprising Fanbase

In a bizarre twist, Mangione’s rise to notoriety spawned an unexpected fandom. His nickname, inspired by his Italian heritage and signature look—overalls and a mustache—quickly drew comparisons to Luigi, the beloved Mario Brothers video game character. Fans began showing up at protests, crime documentaries, and even Halloween parties dressed as Luigi, Mario, or other characters from the franchise.

Social media hashtags like #CEOAvenger and #RealLifeLuigi trended for months, with some users ironically framing Mangione as a “working-class hero.” Memes and fan art flooded platforms, mixing his likeness with video game imagery. For instance, one viral video depicted a cartoonish Mangione jumping over “corporate ladders” and “power-up coins” labeled with dollar signs.

However, not everyone found the humor appropriate. Critics, including families of the victims, condemned the glorification of a murderer, arguing it trivialized his heinous acts and dehumanized his victims.

Hollywood Steps In

As with many high-profile criminal cases, the entertainment industry has been quick to capitalize on the public’s morbid fascination. At least two TV shows based on Mangione’s life are currently in production.

The first, an HBO miniseries titled The Plumber’s Gambit, promises a dark, psychological exploration of Mangione’s descent into violence, with an emphasis on the socio-economic conditions that shaped his worldview. Early casting rumors suggest a prominent Italian-American actor will portray Mangione, adding an air of prestige to the production.

The second, a Netflix docudrama called Luigi: Man or Monster?, takes a true-crime approach, blending interviews with survivors, legal experts, and cultural critics with reenactments of key moments in Mangione’s life and crimes.

Both projects have sparked intense debate, with some accusing Hollywood of exploiting tragedy for profit, while others argue that these adaptations could serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of extremism.

 

Free Luigi Mangione shirt.jpg

Why the Fascination?

Public fascination with figures like Luigi Mangione is nothing new. From Bonnie and Clyde to Ted Bundy, history shows that charismatic criminals often attract a strange mix of revulsion and admiration. In Mangione’s case, his working-class background and symbolic methods tapped into larger societal frustrations, allowing him to be recast by some as a symbol of rebellion, however misguided.

But the broader cultural response—the costumes, the memes, the TV shows—highlights an uncomfortable reality: in the age of social media and streaming platforms, the line between infamy and entertainment has become perilously thin.

As Mangione sits in prison awaiting his fate, one thing is clear: his story is far from over. Whether as a subject of critical scrutiny, a cautionary tale, or a dark pop culture icon, Luigi Mangione has become a symbol of the times—reflecting society’s struggles with inequality, its obsession with crime, and its enduring fascination with the anti-hero.