TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains explicitly disturbing language in discussion of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes. There will be mention of drugging, molestation, rape, murder, cannibalism, and dismemberment.
On September 21, 2022, Netflix and Ryan Murphy released what is perhaps their most unsettling project yet: Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story or Dahmer for short. This 10-episode series encompasses the entirety of Jeffrey Dahmer, the American serial killer and cannibal’s, life. From his strange behavioral tendencies and family issues as a child, to his chilling murders and many of their backstories, even to how he got caught and the events that followed, Ryan Murphy has it covered impeccably. Or, perhaps not. This series has a lot to unpack. Conversations surrounding the ethics of the Netflix original itself, the acting performances, and the sheer inhumanity of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes and their depictions have raised both concerns and praise.
Success of the series
According to IndieWire, Dahmer had 196.2 million hours viewed within the first week of its release, breaking any previous Netflix record globally, including the largely popular Squid Game. By the 12th day, that number had grown to 496 million hours, reaching an estimated 56 million households. For such a gruesome and violent show with a limited potential audience, these numbers are nothing short of impressive. Many people are drawn to the true crime genre and simply cannot get enough of it. Its disturbing nature is very difficult to watch, yet I personally found myself too anxious to not finish it. I had to know what happened next and hoped the victims would survive, despite being let down almost every single time. Days after the release of Dahmer, Netflix also released a new segment of their special series, Conversations With a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes, which has also have drawn great success. The world is oddly drawn to the Jeffrey Dahmer story, and Netflix certainly feeds that appetite, undoubtedly profiting from it.
PRaise & Accomplishments
One of the greatest praises among the many surrounding the “Dahmer” series is the quality of the acting performances. Specifically, Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer. The task of portraying a serial killer of such heinous crimes is already one of great responsibility and difficulty. Evan Peters managed to pass this task with flying colors, balancing the sociopathy of the character and his glimpses of “sincerity” at the same time. Peters has already won an Emmy for his performance in Mare of Easttown, an HBO series. However, there is much discussion across social media of another one for his portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer. Not only did Peters appear exactly like Jeffrey Dahmer did, the resemblance between their voices and lack of remorse is disturbingly identical. It is also important to note the talent belonging to Niecy Nash, who played Jeffrey Dahmer’s neighbor, Glenda Cleveland. Both delivered chilling performances, and undoubtedly deserve recognition. Viewers have also praised the cinematography, music, wardrobe, and more behind the show itself.
There are incredibly vulnerable moments for Dahmer’s victims that would strike an emotional nerve in anyone. Specifically, episode six has been said to be the most memorable. This episode focuses on Tony Hughes, one of Dahmer’s 17 known victims. The episode emphasized the kindness and gentleness Tony held towards everyone in his life, particularly his family and even Jeffrey Dahmer himself. He actually upheld a friendship with Tony for a period of time, something he was unable to do with anyone else. Viewers felt connected to Tony as his story unfolded throughout the episode, even including his deafness, a key part of who he was. Then, despite this all, the episode continues to show Dahmer resorting to his usual heinous tendencies and murdering, then consuming Tony. This episode left my heart nothing short of shattered. The actors did an incredible job building Tony’s character and causing us to love him, and certainly succeeded in destroying us all by the end. However, the success of this series has not gone without criticism.
Controversies & Audience BACKLASH
Unfortunately, this show has caused another spree of sexualization of serial killers on social media, which we have seen as a result of other shows and movies about serial killers. In fact, many claim that the show itself is at fault for the romanticization of Jeffrey Dahmer, allegedly attempting to sway the audience to feel bad for him in his weakest moments, or the few ones he shows even the slightest remorse. There is nothing funny, nor attractive, about the acts of Jeffrey Dahmer. Yet, people hide behind screens and praise him for it. Many also blame the show for choosing to cast an actor who is widely perceived as attractive to play something as serious as a serial killer. Others argue that it is impossible to find anyone attractive when they are portraying such evil acts. This romanticization and sexualization only further re-traumatizes the victims’ families, even more so than the show itself did in the first place.
Many family members of the 17 victims of Jeffrey Dahmer have spoken out against the new Netflix series, claiming that their loved ones were not portrayed in the way they deserved or that the show should not have existed in the first place. In fact, they claim that Netflix never reached out to them for permission at all. While, technically, the information on this case is public record, the victims and their families deserved at least that respect. Now, many of them are reliving the nightmares Jeffrey Dahmer put them through. Tony Hughes’ mother, Shirley Hughes, spoke out in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight: “I don’t see how they can use our names and put stuff out like that out there…” Rita Isbell, sister of another one of Dahmer’s victims named Errol Lindsey, also spoke out: “I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said… it felt like reliving it all over again… It brought back all the emotions I was feeling back then.” Not only did Netflix lack consideration for the victims families, but they traumatized many members of the LGBTQ+ community by tagging “Dahmer” under “LGBTQ.” For context, Jeffrey Dahmer was gay and all of his victims were men, many were both gay and black. Just because of this, does not mean his acts should be associated with the community itself. Murder and cannibalism are not a part of the culture of LGBTQ+ whatsoever. Netflix has since removed this tag.
For many, this series felt like it was truly about Jeffrey Dahmer rather than his victims. Netflix claims it is in honor of the victims, but how can this be when their families weren’t even asked if it was okay? Tony Hughes did receive an episode of backstory, but what does this really mean when the 16 other victims merely had a name attached to them? We always remember the names of serial killers, but almost never their victims. Many believe Netflix should have gone about the show differently if at all, but now that the damage is done, the families should receive at least a portion of the profit. Between all the successes and controversies surrounding “Dahmer,” it is most important we remember the victims.
- June 18, 1978: Steven Hicks (18)
- November 20, 1987: Steven Tuomi (24)
- January 16, 1988: Jamie Doxtator (14)
- March 24, 1988: Richard Guerrero (25)
- March 25, 1989: Anthony Sears (26)
- May 20, 1990: Raymond Smith (“Ricky Beeks”) (33)
- June 1990: Edward W. Smith (28)
- September 1990: Ernest Miller (22)
- September 24, 1990: David C. Thomas (23)
- February 18, 1991: Curtis Straughter (18)
- April 7, 1991: Errol Lindsey (19)
- May 24, 1991: Anthony (“Tony”) Hughes (31)
- May 27, 1991: Konerak Sinthasomphone (14)
- June 30, 1991: Matt Turner (20)
- July 5, 1991: Jeremiah Weinberger (23)
- July 15, 1991: Oliver Lacy (23)
- July 19, 1991: Joseph Bradehoft (25)