With the recent release of Netflix’s new series, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, many have been wondering if true crime has gone too far. This uncomfortable and nauseating portrayal of the infamous cannibalistic crimes of Jeffery Dahmer attempts to capture a realistic representation of Dahmer’s life, as well as, the sufferings of his victims and their families. The series causes a stirring reaction from its viewers who are caught both horrified and unable to look away. The filming of this series was done in such a way that the viewer almost feels like they themselves are in that putred apartment with Dahmer and his victims. True crime has been growing in popularity for many years and society’s fascination with serial killers has been heightened by the release of many new documentaries. Many have been questioning why the director chose someone as attractive as Evan Peters to play the role of this horrific killer.
Society likes to romanticize killers. We have seen this as recently as the release of Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a representation of the life and crimes of Ted Bundy played by American heartthrob Zac Efron. This movie is shot from the perspective of Bundy’s girlfriend, Liz at the time of his killing spree. Here, we see how Bundy and Liz’s romantic scenes, including that of Bundy’s relationship with Liz’s daughter, are contrasted with the petrifying crimes Bundy commits. While it is somewhat understandable why Zac Efron would be cast for this role, as Bundy had a reputation for being attractive in real life which contributed to how he was able to get his victims alone, it is unclear why the producers of the new Dahmer series would cast Evan Peters as their lead. Are the producers of the Jeffrey Dahmer Story trying to play into hybristophilia?
As stated by author Bryanna Ehli, “hybristophilia is the fascination with, romanticization of, and attraction to those who commit crimes.” It is often associated with so-called, “groupies,” of serial killers who sexualize and idolize people such as Ted Bundy and Charles Manson. This idea is not very well understood, but is theorized as coming from an attraction to power and a desire to be in dangerous sensual settings. Some viewers of the series claim the show may provoke a sense of hybristophilia through the casting of a hot man such as Evan Peters for the role. As a result it is important that those planning on watching the show find a way to separate the actor and his attractiveness from the killer he is portraying.
There is also something to say here about these kind of series retraumatizing family members of the victims and glorifying disturbing and painful topics such as rape, murder, and mutilation. I think it is important to remember as we consume media depictions of killers that these stories are true. Real, excruciating, painful events that affect and retraumatize real people including surviving victims, the families of the victims, and survivors of rape and other unbearable traumatizing events. We must consume this kind of media responsibly and listen to the societal messages they are sending us. Let this series be an important reminder of our failed mental health system and the rampant racism and homophobia in our policing and criminal justice system and not lead us to believe these killers are charming and hot. Let this be a call to action and not a means for a new found gruesome and romanticized fascination with killers.