American City in Crime Films - Criminology and the Cinematic City

Analyzing crime movies set in Detroit, Miami, Boston, Las Vegas, and the fictional Gotham City, this book examines the role that American cities play as characters in crime films. Furthering our awareness of how popular media shapes public understanding of crime and justice in American cities, this book contributes to scholarship in popular criminology by providing insight into the development of criminological theory in cinematic representations of crime and urban space. Each chapter focuses on a different city, starting with an overview of the social, economic, and political history of the city and proceeding to discuss the cinematic depiction of crime and justice in the city. At the heart of each chapter is a discussion of themes that are common across films set in each city. For each theme, the book makes connections to the criminological theory discussed in that chapter and concludes by focusing on real-world implications that stem from the social construction of urban crime in crime films.
Bridging the gap between criminology and media studies, The American City in Crime Films will appeal to students of criminology and media studies, and urban sociology/criminology.

List of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Detroit
Chapter 3: Miami
Chapter 4: Boston
Chapter 5: Las Vegas
Chapter 6: Gotham City
Chapter 7: Conclusion

About the author

Andrew J. Baranauskas is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport. His research interests include crime in the media, crime in urban communities, and public opinion on crime and justice. His work has been published in journals such as Criminology, Justice Quarterly, and Criminology and Public Policy.

Product details

• Authors: Andrew J. Baranauskas, Andrew J. (Suny Baranauskas
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 27.10.2025
• EAN: 9781032590851
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3259085-1
• No. of pages: 150
• Series: Routledge Studies in Crime, Culture and Media
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Sociology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture, Cultural Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Criminology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies, Criminal law & procedure, TRUE CRIME / Murder / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Social Theory, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Urban, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Violence in Society, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Law & Crime, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, The Americas, Crime and criminology, Crime & criminology, Urban communities, Criminal law: procedure and offences, Urban communities / city life