Netflix's "Dahmer" Is Getting Criticized By People, Including The Family Of One Of His Victims, And Here's Why
This post contains mentions of violence and abuse.
If you've been on Netflix recently, then chances are you've seen Dahmer — Monster: the Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which is currently #1 in the US as of today.
Created and written by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, this limited series chronicles the horrific murders of men and young boys by serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who is played by Evan Peters, between 1978 and 1991.
Notably, the show sheds light on how Jeffrey Dahmer got away with murdering innocent people, who were predominantly Black, for so long and how the Milwaukee Police Department failed the victims, especially after two officers handed 14-year-old Konerak Sinthasomphone back to Dahmer after he had escaped.
The scariest part about the #DahmerNetflix series is how fucked up the United States justice system is and how institutional racism and incompetence enabled Jeff Dahmer to kill and abuse so many young men for more than 10 years.
In real life, Jeffrey Dahmer confessed to police for "a total of 17 slayings" once he was finally arrested in 1991. A year later, Dahmer was convicted of 16 murders and was sentenced to 16 life terms in prison. In 1994, he was murdered in prison.
Hollywood has often had an unhealthy fascination with Jeffrey Dahmer's murders, with several movies about the serial killer being produced. Jeremy Renner and Ross Lynch are two notable actors who have played Dahmer in films that were released in 2002 and 2017.
And now, Netflix has added Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story to the list of Dahmer-centered films and shows that, honestly, never should've been made.
While the show is #1 on Netflix, having already broken the record for the biggest series debut on the streamer in the first week of its release with 196.2 million hours viewed, many people are calling out the series as "romanticizing" Jeffrey Dahmer's murders once again.
Some people also called out Netflix's "pretty gross" use of the LGBTQ tag for the show on their site, which has since been removed.
Evan Peters said it was "important" to him and the Dahmer creators to "be respectful to the victims, the victims' families, and try to tell the story as authentically as [they] could." Evan also said he was "very scared" about playing the role and "committing" to portraying him in the series.
And Shaun J. Brown, who portrays Tracy Edwards, tweeted a note about how it's odd to receive praise for playing the role of one of Dahmer's victims, and he hopes anyone who watches the show thinks of them.
With love ❤️ #DahmerNetflix
Alongside some viewer criticism, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is also being called out by one of his victim's family members, who was not consulted before this Netflix show was released — in fact, they reportedly found out about it at the "same time as everyone else."
Rita Isbell, who is the sister of Errol Lindsey, one of Jeffrey Dahmer's victims, penned an essay for Insider in which she detailed what it's like having to relive this tragedy.
Rita can be seen in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story giving an emotional victim impact statement at Dahmer's 1992 sentencing in court. The moment is created "verbatim" in the show, according to Isbell.
"When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, 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."
She then went on to say that Netflix never contacted her prior to the show's release, saying, "I feel like Netflix should've asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn't ask me anything. They just did it. But I'm not money hungry, and that's what this show is about, Netflix trying to get paid."
"I could even understand it if they gave some of the money to the victims' children. Not necessarily their families. I mean, I'm old. I'm very, very comfortable. But the victims have children and grandchildren. If the show benefited them in some way, it wouldn't feel so harsh and careless."
Eric Perry, who is Errol Lindsey's cousin, took to Twitter to echo Rita's opinions, calling the show "retraumatizing."
Like recreating my cousin having an emotional breakdown in court in the face of the man who tortured and murdered her brother is WILD. WIIIIIILD.
He also noted that the victims' families do not have to be notified when a TV show or movie is made like this because "it's all public record," saying that they often find out a new Jeffrey Dahmer show or movie is being made when they wake up to "a bunch of calls and messages" after it has been released.
Rita Isbell finished her essay to Insider saying that it has taken her years to get over the "anger" she felt surrounding her brother's death and how Errol is "always going to be alive in [her] spirit." In fact, she revealed that Errol had a daughter, who is now 31 years old, and Rita says, "I have to keep him alive so I can talk about him to her."
