David Giesbrecth/FOX

Two decades after its release, “The Silence of the Lambs” has become a defining influence on programming, most recently on Fox’s "The Following."

Randy Tepper/Showtime

The serial killer has become a kind of rock star figure on TV, like Dexter Morgan, who kills killers on Showtime’s hugely successful “Dexter.”

Brooke Palmer/NBC

NBC is returning to the source with “Hannibal,” in which Hugh Dancy’s FBI agent turns to Mads Mikkelsen’s Lecter for assistance.

Michael Desmond/ABC Studios

The list of serial killer fantasies goes on: “Criminal Minds” has remained in Nielsen’s weekly Top 15 for five of its eight seasons.

Investigation Discovery

“Dark Minds,” an Investigation Discovery reality series, just returned for its second season with a doozy of a “Silence of the Lambs” gimmick.

Jonathan Hession

“Ripper Street” isn’t about Jack the Ripper so much as those who failed to catch him, but his fame hangs over every episode.

The CW Network

Globe critic Matthew Gilbert thinks thought-provoking depictions of violence have a place in our broad range of programming. Above, CW’s “Cult.”