Natural Born Killers (1994)

Natural Born Killers sparked over 12 copycat murder cases globally, including by the Columbine shooters who reportedly referenced it. Unlike The Passion of the Christ, which was criticized for antisemitic tropes, this film was blamed for inspiring real violence. John Grisham's lawsuit against Oliver Stone failed, but a 1998 study found 68% of surveyed law enforcement linked it to violence. Its chaotic style and satire of media sensationalism—showing news coverage of a killing spree—proved its thesis when real tragedies echoed its plot, cementing its status as a meta-controversy.