The Controversy of Netflix’s “Dahmer”

The recent television series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is one of the most watched shows on Netflix, and has already broken the record for most watched show in the first week of its release with 96.2 million hours viewed.

 The role of Jeffery Dahmer in the Netflix show “Dahmer” created by Evan Murphy and Ian Brennan, is played by Evan Peters. The show’s purpose is to tell the Dahmer story through experiences of his victims and display that they were obviously failed. But the way people have been entertained by it, according to the media, is one of the most disturbing parts from the release of the show. Watch what you want to watch, but if you, your child, or anyone has something to say about the series, think first. There are too many people across social media who have come out to say these disgusting things about it, but havent even acknowledged the fact that they are extremely true stories. It’s come to a point where the series has been romanticized and how audiences feel bad for Jeffrey Dahmer or unbothered by the things he has done, giving him the attention he does not deserve. Before taking the role, Peters explained in a Netflix interview, “I really went back and forth on whether I should do it or not. I knew it was going to be incredibly dark and an incredible challenge…” with “trying to commit to that was absolutely going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life.” 

After the filming process, staying in the grueling embodiment of this criminal took a toll on Peters, saying he “was gonna have to go to really dark places and stay there for an extended period of time.” Families related to the victims have even spoken out against the show saying it has made them live through their trauma once more, causing controversy. Many of the victims’ peers have claimed that they were never notified and or contacted about the many scenes including the families or just about the show being acceptable in general.

While it’s important for people to know about history, most of this generation has not taken into consideration that we need to learn from it and not support it. For example, this Halloween there were many concerning and questionable costumes of Jefferey Dahmer circulated on social media. He is not a cool character, or a fun costume; Jefferey Dahmer was a real, dangerous human being, cannibal, serial killer, sex offender, and above all sickening. Many have found the costumes humorous, which is exactly why people need to learn about things of the past, because we can’t and shouldn’t idolize him as a person.   

Criticism around the show is growing nearly as quickly as their good ratings. Critics have questioned, is it even necessary to revisit these tough stories that scarred so many? Especially for the way society has talked about the show alone. The new series has caused more dispute than any other show in years, which could increase after the announcement that the show will continue to dig into the experiences with known serial killers. Because of the success of the show, there will be at least two or more seasons of different serial killers history creating a trilogy, as if it hasn’t already been one of the most controversial shows released in years. With any luck, consumers will learn how to view responsibly by the time those seasons come out.