Most marketers think engagement is about clever copy. They're missing the psychological triggers that make people binge Murderbot for hours. This week I decoded exactly how this sci-fi masterpiece creates addiction… and how you steal it for your emails.

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Quick story about what happened when I watched Murderbot last week.

I told myself "just one episode" before work. (You know exactly how this story ends, don't you?) Six hours later, I'm still glued to my screen at 1 AM, and my brain is doing that thing where it won't shut off. (My wife fully enjoyed it as well so… binge-watching it is!)

But here's what caught me completely off guard: I wasn't hooked by the action scenes or Alexander Skarsgård's ridiculously perfect jawline. (Though both are admittedly great.) I was addicted to something far more subtle and psychological.

The exact moment I realized this wasn't just entertainment… it was mind control disguised as a robot story. (And yes, I'm about to show you how to weaponize this for your email campaigns.)

The numbers don't lie about this Apple TV+ phenomenon:

Viewership Impact: 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with critics calling it "refreshingly jaunty sci-fi" (Translation: people are completely obsessed and can't explain why)

Cultural Domination: Based on Martha Wells' Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book series that already had millions of devoted fans before the show existed (These people were primed for addiction)

Binge Behavior: Episodes are deliberately short (20-25 minutes) causing viewers to watch entire seasons in single sittings (Sound familiar? This is the same psychology behind TikTok scrolling and... your email sequences)

What Makes This Addictive

Murderbot uses a technique I call "The Contradictory Voice" - the character says one thing out loud while its internal monologue reveals completely different thoughts. (Basically, it's the psychological equivalent of reading someone's diary while they're talking to you.)

Here's What's Really Happening in Your Brain

Your mirror neurons are firing like crazy because Murderbot's internal commentary matches your own thoughts. When the robot thinks "humans are so stupid" while politely following orders, you're nodding along thinking "finally, someone gets it." (This is vulnerability engineering at its finest - making the audience feel like they're the only ones who understand.)

The show creates what psychologists call "cognitive intimacy" - you feel closer to Murderbot than the human characters because you have access to its private thoughts. (It's the same reason people feel connected to their favorite email writers - they share thoughts that feel unfiltered and real.)

The Contradictory Voice Method:

Example Application: Instead of: "I'm excited to share this new strategy with you..." Write: "I'm excited to share this new strategy with you... (Okay, 'excited' is probably too strong. More like 'cautiously optimistic after testing it on my own campaigns and seeing decent results.')"

The Vulnerability Engineering Tactic:

Murderbot constantly admits its flaws and antisocial tendencies, making it more relatable than perfect human characters. (Counterintuitive, right?) In your emails, try:

The Insider Commentary Technique:

Give your readers access to thoughts that feel like behind-the-scenes commentary:

The Meta-Awareness Strategy:

Murderbot frequently comments on its own storytelling and the absurdity of its situation. (This breaks the fourth wall and creates instant connection.) Try:

Just like Murderbot uses contradictory internal dialogue to keep viewers glued to their screens, your next email should layer your "professional" message with parenthetical "real talk" that reveals your actual thoughts. (Think of it as giving your subscribers VIP access to your brain.)

This week, implement the Contradictory Voice technique in your next email sequence. Write your main message, then go back and add 3-5 parenthetical asides that share what you're really thinking. (Don't overthink it - the more natural and unfiltered, the better.)

Watch your engagement rates climb the same way Murderbot transforms casual viewers into obsessed fans who can't stop talking about the show. (Seriously, I've already applied it to this post as well)

Streaming Platform: Apple TV+

Study Tips: Focus on Episodes 1-2 for the strongest examples of internal monologue technique. Pay attention to how Murderbot's thoughts contradict its spoken dialogue.

Research Angle: Notice how the parenthetical voice-over creates intimacy. Count how many times you feel like you "get" Murderbot better than the human characters do. (That's the psychological hook you want to recreate.)

What's your latest entertainment addiction that's completely hijacked your brain? Hit reply and tell me what you're binge-watching… I'll decode the psychological manipulation tactics and show you how to steal them for your email campaigns.

(Bonus points if it's something weird or embarrassing. Those are always the best ones to analyze.)

Until next week,

Geb Vence

P.S. The Research Backs This Up:

The foundational research on parasocial relationships comes from Horton and Wohl's 1956 study published in Psychiatry, which established that media users form one-sided relationships with performers who create a sense of "intimacy at a distance." Their research showed that when audiences feel directly addressed and perceive authentic engagement from media figures, stronger psychological bonds develop. The "contradictory voice" technique isn't just entertainment - it's rooted in decades of research on how perceived accessibility creates deeper audience connection.

(Translation: This stuff actually works, and now you know why.)