Did Hollywood play a role in Elliot Rodger's shooting spree in Santa Barbara? INSIDE EDITION finds out.
Was deranged killer Elliot Rodger influenced by the sorority and frat boy hijinks depicted in Seth Rogen's new hit movie Neighbors?
That's the troubling claim made by the Washington Post's film critic, Ann Hornaday.
"How many students watch outsized frat-boy fantasies like Neighbors and feel, as Rodger did, unjustly shut out of college life that should be full of 'sex and fun and pleasure?' she writes.
Her column is triggering an uproar, with Seth Rogen firing back on Twitter, writing: "@annhornadayhow dare you imply that me getting girls in movies caused a lunatic to go on a rampage. I find your article horribly insulting and misinformed."
Psychologist Jeff Gardere agrees, saying, "I find it very hard to believe that a film like Neighbors could have been the impetus to get this person to go out on this killing spree."
See What Gardere Said May Have Caused Rodger To Kill
The film critic later backpedaled, telling a radio station, "I don't think I’m blaming Hollywood for this."
But there is one Hollywood movie that clearly had a major impact on Rodgers twisted mind. Rodger's was infatuated with the characters played by Justin Timberlake and Emile Hirsch in the 2006 movie Alpha Dog. He even began calling himself an alpha dog in his own disturbing videos, saying “You will finally see that I am the superior one, the true alpha male."
The film is based on violent events that happened in Santa Barbara, California, and in his twisted manifesto Elliot Rodger says that's why he targeted Santa Barbara for his murderous spree.
"The Santa Barbara plan was formed all because I watched the movie Alpha Dog. The movie had a profound effect on me, because it depicted lots of good looking young people enjoying pleasurable sex lives.” wrote Rodgers.
More disturbing beliefs from a truly disturbed mind.
