: Much of the tension in Des comes from Nilsen’s calmness. Subtitles emphasize the flat affect of his speech, ensuring that his most disturbing lines—often delivered in a low, conversational mumble—are not lost. This clarity prevents the audience from distancing themselves from the reality of his actions.

: The subtitles capture Nilsen’s specific, often bureaucratic vocabulary. His tendency to refer to his victims as "objects" or "problems" is rendered in stark text, forcing the viewer to confront his lack of empathy without the distraction of background scores or atmospheric noise.

In the 2020 true-crime miniseries , subtitles serve as more than just a tool for accessibility; they act as a clinical lens through which the audience navigates the chillingly detached psyche of serial killer Dennis Nilsen (played by David Tennant). By providing a visual anchor for Nilsen’s soft-spoken, matter-of-fact confessions, the subtitles heighten the contrast between his mundane appearance and the horrific nature of his crimes. The Role of Subtitles in Narrative Framing