Last week marked the debut of DAHMER- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story on Netflix, a confoundingly multi-titled miniseries from prolific producer Ryan Murphy about the notorious gay serial killer.
While the series’ announcement was met with cries of “Why?” and “Again?,” DAHMER sold itself on doing something different. Rather than trying to find some empathy for the man—which other projects have done before—or, worse, glorify his crimes, the series purported to center on his “underserved victims and their communities,” calling into question the systems that “allowed one of America’s most notorious serial killers to continue his murderous spree in plain sight for over a decade.”
But, by most accounts, DAHMER has failed to make a case for its own existence. Now that audiences have had a chance to check it out, many are calling the series’ dramatizations of Dahmer’s unconscionable crimes needlessly exploitative:
How many more times do we need to talk about Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy?
They really aren't as special as we've made them out to be over all these decades. There's nothing more to say about them
— Reign ???? (@ReignBotYT) September 26, 2022
dahmer is a horrible fucking show and shouldn’t have been made. it’s peoples deaths being made as a spectacle in such gruesome detail, the parts documenting dahmers childhood are infuriating and humanizing for him. when will we stop letting companies exploit murder victims?
— poker? (@p0k33rfac33) September 25, 2022
The fact of the matter is that these were real people, many of whom have friends and family still living with this trauma today. In a piece for Insider, Rita Isbell—the sister of victim Errol Lindsey—shared that she was not contacted by the show despite her name and likeness appearing on screen.
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“When I saw some of the show, it bothered me,” Isbell said, “especially when I saw myself—when I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought it was me. Her hair was like mine, she had on the same clothes. That’s why it felt like reliving it all over again. It brought back all the emotions I was feeling back then.”
Her cousin also chimed in, taking to Twitter to underline the traumatic impact a true-crime series like DAHMER has on the victim’s family:
I’m not telling anyone what to watch, I know true crime media is huge rn, but if you’re actually curious about the victims, my family (the Isbell’s) are pissed about this show. It’s retraumatizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/shows/documentaries do we need? https://t.co/CRQjXWAvjx
— eric. (@ericthulhu) September 22, 2022
There’s also been a conversation around the casting of Evan Peters as Dahmer. A regular in Murphy’s stable of television productions, Peters is no doubt a capable actor. But he’s just the latest in a long line of attractive stars who have been tapped to play a serial killer, adding fuel to the assertion that these true crime series are guilty of glamorizing murder, among other things.
Related: That’s a ‘You’ problem: 5 unsettling recent examples of hot actors playing serial killers
As DAHMER memes and thirsty tweets about Peters-as-Dahmer begin to proliferate, many have expressed their discomfort for the way the series is being talked about online:
if you’re thirsting over jeffery dahmer please block me that’s weird as hell there is nothing hot about that man.
— ? (@deltautism) September 25, 2022
hey girlies let’s take a second to remember that jeffery dahmer was a murderer AND a cannibal ! you look extremely odd saying he’s attractive ?
— laur ? (@y2skinny) September 25, 2022
And, among the flood of tweets about the series, a handful have pointed out that Peters’ Dahmer looks and sounds an awful lot like New York-based comedian and writer Joe Pera, whose critically adored Joe Pera Talks With You ran for three seasons on Adult Swim.
Gawker spoke with Pera about the unsavory comparisons, and the comic offered up a pretty succinct takedown of DAHMER and other true-crime series like it:
“I don’t know what’s to be learned from Jeffrey Dahmer in 2022. I think the money should be given to people who want to build the world with a little imagination, and not just make the same Jeffrey Dahmer story over and over again.”
Amen. So maybe we put this serial killer stories to rest for a little while, okay?
Related: 20 years ago, an unknown Jeremy Renner dared to play gay serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer
inbama
I like horror if there’s mystery, terrific characters or surprise. Murphy’s brand is sadism. It’s not fun watching people being tortured, degraded or put to death piece by piece – all of which describes his current crop of “American Horror stories” on Hulu.
He has the ability to get great performances out of good actors in a worthwhile story. Most everyone in his O.J. series and Ewan McGregor’s terrific turn as Halston come immediately to mind.
i wonder why he thought Dahmer would be a good idea.
humble charlie
dahmer is a revolting krispy kreme.
Texasholdem
The dahmer show is very similar to the Versace-Cunanan series for which he was widely praised for and won emmys. That series was just as dark and sadistic and also had a gay villain.
Queer actor Niecy Nash was great in a dramatic role instead of her usual comedic performances.
bachy
When I consider all the political blowback to which the gay community is currently subject, what exactly is the point, now, of releasing a grisly gay serial killer series on Netflix? I mean, is Tucker Carlson one of the investors?
OK. Fine. It’s not like all gay stories need to be butterflies n’ gumdrops, but can we at least present our gay characters as… human?
Dahmer– Monster is a gay horror story far more repulsive than anything Marjorie Taylor Green could concoct, and digging up these kinds of horrendous crimes only support the GOP’s mission to eradicate gay representation in contemporary culture.
But at least Murphy and his backers are getting richer.
Neoprene
Freedom of speech. That’s the point. Hope that helps, sweetie.
Den
@Neoprene
Like so many stupid regressives, you have no idea at all about the firat amendment “sweetie”. It assures that one cannot be prosecuted for speech that is not liked BY THE GOVERNMENT. It has nothing at all to do with any right to produce torture porn, or the right of homophobic idiots to get hard over it (and I am talking specifically about you “sweetie”).
Freedom of speech as assured by the constitution does not protect anyone from public excoriation. So you have the right certainly to get boned over crap like this, but we (those with brains, taste and ethics) have an equal right to read you foe what you are: stupid right wing homophobic trash.
Clear enough for the intellectually challenged “sweetie”?
Neoprene
Den – The First Amendment also protects against groups of wokesters like yourself attempting to have government enact laws that reduce or eliminate free speech protections. Hope that helps, sweetie.
Bosch
@Neoprene
bachy is debating whether this story is appropriate for the times, not whether it’s protected by “free speech”. Your answer is irrelevant, and your attempt at criticizing the “woke” equally much so.
You’ll just turn anything into a left-vs-right conflict, won’t you?
Sourpuss.
humble charlie
there’s enough real horror involved in the way our corporate aristocracy treats the ordinary person. why get involved in searching through a murderer’s shht?
Neoprene
Excellent series. I devoured every episode. It’s great to live in a country where artists can produce the kind of content they choose to without censorship. And keep whining about it, kiddies. That’s your right, too, Bon appetit, everyone!
Den
Why exactly do heterosexual troll scumbags like you come to gay sites like this?
I suppose when not watching things like Dahmer, you fantasize about eating out Marjorie Taylor Greene, or chowing down on Trump’s feces.
A lack of censorship goes both ways we are free to comment on your stupidity and hateful nature. But at least folks like us are an asset to society, unlike the regressive minded like you.
Neoprene
Den – Freedom of speech, baby. Rock it, girrrrl!
Den
People who are so obviously boned by serial killers are pretty damned suspect, “sweetie”. Lured any little boys or girls into your windowless van lately? did it feel good when you “did” them? Sick old troll is what you are.
Neoprene
Den – Free speech. Continue to rock it til your heart’s content, girrrrl!
Bosch
I’m sorry, neonaziprene, who was talking about censorship besides you?
Bosch
“It’s great to live in a country where artists can produce the kind of content they choose to without censorship. ”
Pfffff. You’re clearly not talking about the US; of all western countries, American conservatives censor art the most.
LumpyPillows
Not sure why you guys needed to pile on this comment by Neoprene. It was neither right wing or offensive. He liked it. You didn’t. Stop being such hateful stalkers… Hmmm, makes me think about your reactions now.
Bosch
Jeez Lumpy, didn’t mean to insult your boyyyfrieeeend!
But seriously, if someone’s gonna troll, they’re gonna get trolled. Don’t cry about it.
LumpyPillows
Rude, but nothing new. Since when did we liberals not support free speech and expression? When did we decide gay content or in movies was bad? I don’t agree with Neoprene often, but I do bother to read what is written. People like you and cam are like pit bulls savaging anything written by certain people regardless of Content . Really nasty. Do better.
Bosch
Which of my messages suggests I’m against free speech and freedom of expression? Where did I suggest I didn’t like the series?
Is that how you bother to read what is written?
LumpyPillows
Because that what his post was about. Stop trying to make excuses for your nonsense. You know what you do. You and your buddies acting kick toxic trolls all the time. Add value. Be better people. You called him a Nazis.
Bosch
I don’t believe for one second that the subtext of his messages is lost on you. Not that the phrase “wokesters like yourself attempting to have government enact laws that reduce or eliminate free speech protections” really qualifies as subtext.
Ellipse Kirk
Internally, Jeffery Dahmer was clearly a monster, but compared to John Wayne Gacy he was much easier on the eye. That being said, with today’s TV offerings, I can skip any and all movies about real life mass murderers. Game of Thrones, well, that’s so OTT I could watch, even when I was wincing.
Fahd
May Dahmer’s victims rest in peace. Also it’s wrong that the US has a prison system in which Dahmer could be beaten to death.
Life is short. I won’t be watching the series. I also don’t watch Gacy stuff (may his victims rest in peace also). I’ve seen enough of both stories.
BoylesqueBubble
While it gives a background on the victims and their lives and their families, as well as props to Dahmer’s neighbor Glenda Cleveland, it almost felt uncomfortably unnecessary. 10 episodes? It was extremely slow. It almost makes me wish Ryan Murphy had instead opted to do a documentary series, like the Amazon one with Elizabeth Kendall about her relationship with Ted Bundy, not knowing what he was up to, and the victims’s families told from a women’s point of view. He has the means to have done so. Evan Peters walks through his role and doesn’t do very much.
Gay story or not, it’s a part of history, and there are always going to be true crime fanatics who will lap this up. It’s unfortunate and I feel awful for the families of these victims, having to relive this, and a media who won’t shut up about the series. Hopefully everyone finds peace.
queerboi69
I found the show entertaining and I actually learned a lot of information that I previously did not know about Dahmer, his family, those who tried to warn people, and his victims. I don’t know what all the fuss is over. If someone doesn’t like the show or content, just don’t watch it. Yes there are some brutal scenes in the show but it is based on a real life deranged serial killer.
Kangol2
Murphy signed a deal with Netflix for $$$. He had to come up with a series winner. What’s not to draw viewers like a series about one of the most infamous youngish, blond White serial killers in US history murdering and in some cases feasting on the bodies of his mostly Black and brown victims, including children, with impunity, because the cops wouldn’t take the Black neighbor and even some of the victims seriously? Horrific as it is and despite the numerous times this tragedy has been covered, if it’s transformed into a lurid spectacle there’ll be viewers, and Murphy has fave actors he draws upon so they’re getting paid, he’s getting paid, Netflix is getting viewers so it’s getting paid….GAG!!!
andrewmpls
Meh, why blame the media companies when we’re the ones who keep giving it ratings. There is so much content out there for a reason. And, the people producing this content seem to have a general understanding of not doing anything too recent and treating the subject with respect.
It’d be nice to contact family members and such but with this case, I mean… That’s how many people all for a case we all already know and can easily look up.
Joshua333
People complaining about it just make me want to watch it more…
LumpyPillows
Half these people complaining about it didn’t even watch it. It a phenomenon I’ve noticed with complainers on the internet.
Winsocki
Exploitive and Traumatizing: that describes John Waters movies such as Multiple Maniacs and Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble etc etc Please stop with pearl clutching my gay ones.
LumpyPillows
They need something to feel superior about today. It is a voracious appetite being offended.
Kenny C
It appears most people are walking circles trying to avoid the point. Had the police taken black and brown people seriously when they warned about Dhamer, lives would have been saved. His first victim wasn’t killed and went to the police. In the real life story, he told them Dahmer was dangerous and he would do it again…They did nothing. Instead of lambasting a movie, speak up about the systematic failure that let happen. Dahmer is not an outlier.
LumpyPillows
This comment has merit. Dahmer did not look like what people think a serial murder cannibal looks like to them. His victims being gay and people of color made them disposable in the homophobic era this occurred in. That is truly a history lesson that should be learned.
LumpyPillows
Anyone who decided to watch this show and not realize it was going to be difficult to watch, traumatizing and exploitive, you really are too dumb to be taken seriously. Just stop.
LAGuy
I agree. Ryan Murphy has a way of glamorizing every show regardless of its topic. It’s just his style. And it doesn’t mesh comfortably with DAHMER. However, we need to give praise to these actors. Peters is amazing. Niecy Nash is great in dramatic role. How fun to see Molly Ringwald who was almost unrecognizable. And can we give a standing ovation for 83yo THE WALTON’s mom…Michael Learned as the grandmother! She was great.
Me2
Hey Queerty!!
Why did you delete my comment? If u’re censoring comments to control the range of conflicting opinions and perspectives, you should just say so, cowards!!
LumpyPillows
You give them more credit then they are worth.