The Killer is a fictional mysterious entity and urban legend that gained prominence through internet culture in the early and mid 2020's. An adept hunter and tracker, The Killer is known for stalking its victims for prolonged periods of time, often sending foreboding omens, before striking.
Background[]
The Killer was first referenced by Wendy Williams in an episode of The Wendy Williams Show[1]. Over the course of several seasons, WIlliams repeatedly made reference to an indiviudla called "the Killer," sometimes giving instructions on how to avoid said entity. Viewers found it humorous that she specifically referred to "the" Killer instead of "a" killer, leading to the rise of speculation that the character was one singular person or entity haunting Williams.
Since its inception, The Killer has become a beloved pop culture symbol of evil, wrongdoing, and maliciousness. The Killer has been imagined in various iterations, from a typical run-of-the-mill serial killer, to a crazed lunatic with an elaborate network of henchmen and sinister plans for world-ending evil. No matter the iteration, The Killer is cunning, intelligent, and completely ruthless in its desire for bloodshed. The Killer has been compared to an ambush predator, hunting prey for prolonged periods of time waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The Killer has promoted at several nightclubs in New York City, notably Poco and Memory Motel in the East Village, and Paul's Casablanca[2]. This has led to speculation that The Killer resides in the New York metropolitan area. When an intruder breached security at a New York University residence hall in October of 2023[3], many students joked on social media that The Killer was responsible for the incident.
Poster, likely made in jest, advising viewers how to avoid The Killer, with references to Williams' show
In some iterations, The Killer is the subject of a longtime love-hate relationship with Viola Swamp of the Miss Nelson series. In others, they are described as working associates, with a mutual respect for each other's craft.
Legacy and impact[]
In modern slang, association with The Killer is often used as a way to declaim that someone is up to no good or has malicious intent (e.g., "you're The Killer!" or "you're working for The Killer!") The Killer can also be used as a humorous scapegoat when something unfortunate occurs (e.g. "I was way too drunk last night, The Killer got me!")
Following Wendy Williams' television talk show ending in 2021 and her subsequent disappearance from public life, many users made the joke that The Killer had "got her." This was before news broke that she had been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Appearance[]
The Killer has no confirmed physical appearance, often depicted wearing a black cloak with its face obscured. Occasionally, The Killer will wear a black masquerade or plague doctor mask.
Often confused with The Killer (SIYKWIDLFt13th), The Killer differs primarily because of its high intelligence and various cunning schemes. The Instagram account for The Killer[4] features an image of Ghostface (Scream), likely mistakenly.
Weapons[]
In most iterations, The Killer simply wields a large kitchen knife. In rare occurrences, The Killer has been known to lead a pack of rabid wolves, and to employ poisoned sandwiches against its victims.
2024 US Presidential Election[]
On November 5, 2024, The Killer submitted a write-in vote for "The Killer" for the US Presidential election. This inspired allegations of election interference, which is currently under investigation.
Notable targets[]
- Kelly Osbourne (unsuccessful to date)
- Wendy Williams (partially successful)
- Linux (unsuccessful to date)