"The blood was in the water for Netflix's "Dahmer" well before the series hit the streaming platform on September 21, 2022. The awkward full title aside ("DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story"), the series should have been Netflix gold: it combined the streamer's knack for dramatic true-crime storytelling with the star power of Evan Peters and Ryan Murphy (Peters played the lead role, Murphy — who created hits like*"Glee" and "American Crime Story" — co-created and produced). Certainly, there's been no shortage of content about or inspired by serial-killers in recent years, especially on Netflix.*



So why did "Dahmer" drop with such a quietly squishy plop?

"Dahmer" did not received the traditional Netflix treatment, which is never a good sign. As Stuart Heritage notes in The Guardian, the lack of marketing and manufactured buzz for the series screams of low-faith from the streamer:*

"Dahmer" just arrived. There was no premiere. No media were granted preview access, none of the show's stars were made available for interview. Unless you caught the perfunctory trailer that slid out online five days before the show's release, you would be forgiven for not knowing it existed at all.
The show's ratings*are, so far, mixed, with audiences apparently being more receptive to the show than critics. Heritage describes "Dahmer" as "an almost unwatchably queasy show," noting that rather than focus on the victims or the impact, "Dahmer is undoubtedly fetishised" in the series, which "is unfortunately too infatuated with its star attraction."*But among the show's*biggest critics are the real-life family members of Dahmer's victims, some of whom are actually depicted in the show — and the experience, far from feeling cathartic, is*forcing them to relive the worst moments of their lives.


'It's cruel'



Following the show's premiere,*Eric Perry, cousin of Jeffrey Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey, took to social media to voice his disgust with Netflix and the creative choices in "Dahmer." In a quote tweet that compares a scene from the Netflix series to the real courtroom footage from Dahmer's trial, Perry condemned the show, arguing "it's retraumatizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/shows/documentaries do we need?"

Twitter

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

Perry further pointed to the lack of sensitivity toward the living, many of whom are depicted in the series — without their knowledge, let alone consent. As he explains, because the information is all public record, there was no obligation or requirement for Ryan Murphy Productions to contact those involved in the story, so his "family found out when everyone else did."*Using actual trauma for the sake of entertainment can easily cross the line into exploitation; as Perry states in a tweet, "Recreating my cousin having an emotional breakdown in court in the face of the man who tortured and murdered her brother is WILD."

I can only imagine how violated and disgusted I would feel if I was Rita Isbell, seeing an actor dressed like me recreating such an intensely personal, devastating moment. The purpose of these courtroom testimonies is to find justice, not to entertain. It's frankly disappointing that, in 2022, we're still so callously fascinated with figures like Jeffrey Dahmer.

According to IndieWire, the official word from "Dahmer" is that this wasn't the intention:

The show's production team has defended the project, saying that the goal was never to humanize Dahmer but instead to show the perspectives of the victims and explain the ways that race and s*xuality informed the k*llings.

Ryan Murphy's legacy



To be fair — and blunt — Murphy has proven his inability to balance good taste and horror thrills over and over again. It's one thing for him to executive produce a true crime series that focuses on well-known and culturally significant court cases, and quite another for him to be given the reins on a project like "Dahmer." Murphy has had fun with real-life serial k*llers before: just look at "American Horror Story" to find countless examples. And no one has walked away from watching that series feeling like the content was handled with nuance and sensitivity. It's a show that's essentially made ostentatious brutality its defining feature.*

Technically, Murphy has even adapted Dahmer's story before in "American Horror Story" (also the show that capitulated Evan Peters into stardom). In "AHS: Hotel," Seth Gabel played Dahmer for the*"Devil's Night"*episode, which featured notorious real-life serial k*llers like John Wayne Gacy and*Richard Ramirez (aka the Night Stalker — there is also a Netflix series about him).*

I don't want to belabor the point here, but basically: there's a fine line between taking inspiration from a tragic event, and exploiting horrific (and relatively recent) history inappropriately. Despite the claims of wanting to highlight systemic racism or wanting to humanize Dahmer's real-life victims, the "Monster" series spends five hours painting an intimate portrait of its titular subject before shifting focus to those affected by his actions. It's questionable if Murphy already crossed that line with "AHS," but he definitely does with*"DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story."

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weirdos pushing this weirdo sh*t. we don't need another dahmer film.

Im tired of the Dahmer sh*t too but this sh*t is good so

This may be a stretch.. but why don’t they just not watch it.

I actuslly thought about that while watching this.
I stopped watching episode 2. Its just too much gay sh*t and blood. I dont need to see that and its poison for your brain

Man fu*k this show. Jeffrey Dahmer needs to be forgotten. Not romanticized with a damn back story

The jinx said I actuslly thought about that while watching this. I stopped watching episode 2. Its just too much gay sh*t and blood. I dont need to see that and its poison for your brain

If you don’t want to watch “gay sh*t” then why the hell would you even start watching a show about a gay serial k*ller?

Mtyjoejnblkblnd said If you don’t want to watch “gay sh*t” then why the hell would you even start watching a show about a gay serial k*ller?

From what I hear they don’t romanticize him at all.

Ryan Murphy did his thing with this. Same with The People Vs Oj. I can completely understand the family though.

The jinx said I actuslly thought about that while watching this. I stopped watching episode 2. Its just too much gay sh*t and blood. I dont need to see that and its poison for your brain

nah its actually pretty good if you get through it

It starts out as that because it was who jeffery was.
but in the end it is really about the injustice in policing in the black communities.

It was racism and homophobia by the police that allowed Dahmer to commit so many crimes and thats really what the series focuses on but to know how bad the cops fu*ked up and how sh*tty the situation was you have to know what happened. Most people including myself only knew about the crimes in Milwaukee but didnt know how bad things were and what he did before in Ohio.

after the 2nd episode they really dive into his childhood and how fu*ked up his parents were.



Niecy Nash did a great job and will likely win an Emmy for her role and its cool that her real daughter plays her daughter in the series

92Felonies said I wonder what’s worse forgetting it did happen Or putting it into motion pictures Forgetting issues this serious is no good I gotta watch this series I been lacking and only fu*king with House of dragon and sports

" Once upon a time there was a gay cannibal that targeted black people"

They always find a way to televise some black trauma wont they?!

Im good

DaQCKing said Ryan Murphy did his thing with this. Same with The People Vs Oj. I can completely understand the family though.

Dude he game him a lobotomy with a drill and the cops let it slide and then ended up policemen of the year.

They had it bad but I agree Murphy did a great job in not sugar coating the story.
Its a tough watch and I was going to make a thread when it dropped but I knew it wasnt for everyone.

Mtyjoejnblkblnd said If you don’t want to watch “gay sh*t” then why the hell would you even start watching a show about a gay serial k*ller?

The last dahmer series didnt have in depth gay scenes.

dubsax said nah its actually pretty good if you get through it It starts out as that because it was who jeffery was. but in the end it is really about the injustice in policing in the black communities. It was racism and homophobia by the police that allowed Dahmer to commit so many crimes and thats really what the series focuses on but to know how bad the cops fu*ked up and how sh*tty the situation was you have to know what happened. Most people including myself only knew about the crimes in Milwaukee but didnt know how bad things were and what he did before in Ohio. after the 2nd episode they really dive into his childhood and how fu*ked up his parents were. Niecy Nash did a great job and will likely win an Emmy for her role and its cool that her real daughter plays her daughter in the series

Exactly why i wont be watching it. Typical netflix left wing bullsh*t a bunch of homo sh*t mixed with race sh*t

EZ Green said Man fu*k this show. Jeffrey Dahmer needs to be forgotten. Not romanticized with a damn back story

You do not understand the sh*t that those girls you see with those thick books walking around who act like they cannot tear themselves away are reading. Half of it is s*x and the other half is violence. They are perplexed while entirely hypocritical and obsessed. But they will never let you know.
Same mind frame of a Harry Potter fan but they eventually turn into serial k*llers pin pals
They feel the same connection we feel listening to gangsta rap without having to commit the crime or do the time
They just happen to be reading it so they feel more sophisticated
@ what part of my statement hurt your fäggöted feelings?

Yall ain't trying to figure out if anyone was traumatized by Paid in Full and the following glorification of cats from that era.

Did any of yall care about Pain and Gain and the families traumatized about that?


Yall don't give a fu*k about those brothers. It's just ammo against white people who "glorify" Dahmer while ignoring the glorification of the constant ignorance within our own community.

If it was a one and done k*lling, it would've been all types of "soddom and apocalypse. God punishing the f*gs. Shouldn't have went over there"

Same nikkas whining about Ed Buck when they don't even know ow the names of the brothers who turned up dead at his house. Now yall care about accurate representation of gay black men.
Phony, see through a*s nikkas.

Fake outrage. Nothing to see here.

EZ Green said " Once upon a time there was a gay cannibal that targeted black people" They always find a way to televise some black trauma wont they?! Im good

he didnt target black people out of hate, he knew that the systematic racism in policing would allow him to get away with it. The conditions in the community allowed him to blend in. If he lived in a white neighborhood there would have been no way he would have gotten away with the smell of rotting flesh coming out of his apartment for months.
He knew he could hide in the black community. every attempt he made to a*similate in white culture he was kicked out of.

Its really a story about the poor treatment of brown communities by those that own the property or are in charge via the law and law enforcement.

dahmer's crimes were just the vehicle that shines the light on problems we continue to have today

The jinx said I actuslly thought about that while watching this. I stopped watching episode 2. Its just too much gay sh*t and blood. I dont need to see that and its poison for your brain

Watch Cinemax late nate and act surprised when you see tiddies. You should've been known that

Gonna take an edible and watch. Is it worth it though?

dubsax said he didnt target black people out of hate, he knew that the systematic racism in policing would allow him to get away with it. The conditions in the community allowed him to blend in. If he lived in a white neighborhood there would have been no way he would have gotten away with the smell of rotting flesh coming out of his apartment for months. He knew he could hide in the black community. every attempt he made to a*similate in white culture he was kicked out of. Its really a story about the poor treatment of brown communities by those that own the property or are in charge via the law and law enforcement. dahmer's crimes were just the vehicle that shines the light on problems we continue to have today

That sh*t is torture pr0n to me. There are way better black stories they couldve told to get a similiar point across

92Felonies said You so crazy you talking about the political aspect of some sh*t Dude ain’t say sh*t about a left or right wing anything All of y’all do y’all parts to make the system benefit you You cats need to be held accountable Right and left y’all both do nut a*s sh*t The point was about the injustice of black community Brought onto them by the police How you people think is agony When does the bullsh*t stop

Litteraly every thing on netflix is left wing bullsh*t . Remember cuties , the obama 20 milion deal ? Its why they are struggling so bad and losing money

It looks a little too good, I gotta pass because it also looks somewhat accurate

EZ Green said That sh*t is torture pr0n to me. There are way better black stories they couldve told to get a similiar point across

Literally. I turned it off towards the end of the first episode. I won’t be watching that filth.

I refuse to watch this bs..how many docs do these sickos need?

The elders were saying the same thing about gangsta rap in the 90s but we had to sh*t on them and justify it by claiming "its just da reality of da streets. This our everyday lives. fu*k what they gotta say", trauma be damned from all the families of those dead and incarcerated black men and broken families

But there's money is black destruction and we're all too willing to partake in and f*ght for our right to create that content while blaming Jewish people for our actions

Victim mentality