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In principle, this question is easy to answer. A traditional and popular definition of a serial killer is "a person who kills three or more people on separate occasions, with a time interval or 'cooling-off period' between each crime."

Based on quantitative criteria, Tyler certainly fits the description. However, the definition is not as black-and-white as it might seem at first glance.

Vicente Garrido—a Spanish criminologist, psychologist, and author who has profiled active serial killers and taught criminology in the UK and Spain—notes that motivation is crucial when establishing these profiles. Although they may exhibit different psychological patterns, a serial killer derives gratification from the act of killing itself; that is where their fantasy is fulfilled.

In an interview, Garrido cites the example of a contract killer. Such individuals may kill more than three people and return to their normal lives—effectively experiencing a "cooling-off period"—yet this does not make them serial killers, as their primary motivation is money. The same applies to those who kill based on specific beliefs—whether religious or otherwise—such as the members of the Manson Family.

Tyler's murders.

In Season 1, where this behavior begins, the murders are orchestrated by Laurel; the underlying ideological reasons and motives for revenge belong primarily to her, not Tyler (pending clarification of theories regarding Rowan and Kinbott). She exploits Tyler's ignorance and pain to manipulate him and cement his loyalty, leading him to believe the vengeance is his own—retribution for what was done to his mother.

Laurel manufactures a motive and then weaponizes it, channeling Tyler's anger toward her own ends. This is in addition to his loss of free will when she has become his master.

These initial victims serve as ritual sacrifices rather than targets chosen to satisfy a personal urge to kill.

In Season 2, we see the murders of Laurel and the hitman; both individuals posed direct threats to Tyler. Distance allows him to recognize Laurel's responsibility for his current plight—a fact he confronts her with when they meet. Killing her is a means of seeking liberation and, perhaps, a measure of revenge.

But didn't he say he enjoyed it?

https://preview.redd.it/wi6y3q864xsh1.png?width=736&format=png&auto=webp&s=f012dd81f2d8d420e55d954a2712b3ca3f3ff03a

In reality, Tyler described liking the feeling of fear, as well as the sense of power and control. While the character might genuinely enjoy it, this could also be a defense mechanism—something said to reclaim a sense of control after having lost it completely when Laurel became his master, or after having been a victim of torture himself.

For a Hyde—especially a male one—control is the very thing they lack most; the hunt might provide that, however briefly.

Even so, we would need to know more about Hydes and about Tyler to determine the veracity of these statements, as they are open to multiple interpretations:

• A literal confession: he really enjoys provoking fear.
• Psychological compensation: temporarily enjoying a sense of power because one normally lacks it.
• Defense mechanism: redefining something that was initially imposed as a choice.
• Provocation directed at Wednesday: using what is known to hurt her.
• A combination of the above.

Personally, I think it’s a combination of all of them.

What we can say—because the series shows it—is that his attacks provide no clear evidence of a need to prolong his victims' suffering or of any enjoyment in doing so.

In every attack we see, the Hyde strikes quickly and precisely. Rowan, the drifter, and even Laurel barely had time to scream. The monster doesn't take its time with the killings or make the victims suffer; it leaves as soon as the deed is done. That isn't the behavior of someone who supposedly enjoys it.

To a certain extent, all the killings are necessary—whether as part of the ritual or in self-defense—and so far, he hasn't been shown to kill anyone simply out of a compulsion to do so.

Another point is that Tyler doesn't start a new killing spree after breaking free from Willowhill, even though his mental state deteriorates without a master—unlike Alfie, who did so in a similar state despite having no history of violence (as far as we know).

Thus, determining whether or not someone is a serial killer involves more than just a body count. Therefore, if we wish to analyze Tyler beyond a purely quantitative classification, the motivation and context of his homicides are fundamental.

Although Tyler has committed multiple homicides, the established record does not yet demonstrate that the underlying motivation is characteristic of serial murder.

pd: Video by Vicente Garrido about integrated psychopaths (in Spanish)