Netflix’s ‘Dahmer’ a horrific hit

by Jamison Feeley

“Dahmer: Monster - the Jeffrey Dahmer Story” has been a big hit for Netflix, but it’s also had its detractors

From Ryan Murphy, creator of “American Horror Story,” it stars Evan Peters as cannibalistic serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and Richard Jenkins as his father, Lionel Dahmer. The 10-episode show does a terrific job of showing Dahmer’s personality as a way of trying to understand him, without downplaying the horror of his crimes.

Some consider this piece exploitative.

“While ‘Monster’ is seemingly self-aware of the peril in glorifying Jeffrey Dahmer, creator Ryan Murphy's salacious style nevertheless tilts this horror story into the realm of queasy exploitation,” says Rotten Tomatoes. 

The series does not glorify Dahmer but paints him as a very dark and twisted man. Dahmer’s victims aren’t faceless; the series shows they have hopes and dreams, and how their murders affect their loved ones. One episode focuses on one such victim, Tony Hughes (Rodney Buford).

This series also shows racial prejudice on the part of the Milwaukee police, as it suggests main reason the white Dahmer doesn’t get thoroughly investigated is that the police believe him over the minorities.

The acting is phenomenal, especially by Peters, Jenkins, and Buford, who makes a huge impact despite only being in one episode. The biggest pro of this film is how real the scenes feel. You feel almost as if you are in the room while the scenes play out, and the show is so disturbing that it makes it feel like you are going to have a panic attack.

This is an excellent show with a lot to offer, but I’d recommend watching it -- with caution.

Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer. (Netflix)

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