DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
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DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

8.0
Yr 2022
Status Ended
Crime Drama
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

This series examines the gruesome and horrific true crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer and the systemic failures that enabled one of America’s most notorious serial killers to continue his murderous spree in plain sight for over a decade.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 45 /100

Critical reception for the series is sharply divided, polarizing audiences and reviewers alike. Detractors frequently criticize the show as a monotonous, exploitative cash grab, labeling it unwatchable and poorly structured. Some view the repetitive storytelling as failing to provide meaningful character development, while others argue the series is fundamentally disrespectful to the history of the crimes.

Conversely, supporters highlight the performance of Evan Peters, often describing his portrayal of Dahmer as chillingly effective. Proponents appreciate the show's focus on the systemic failures and white privilege that allowed the serial killer to operate for years. Ultimately, the series is viewed as a paradox, with some calling it one of the best and worst offerings of the year simultaneously.

“It is at once one of the best and one of the worst series of 2022.”

“Evan Peters plays Jeff Dahmer to perfection.”

“It’s all just a nightmarish-but-monotonous miasma.”

“While it’s really well acted, this series ends up being yet another serial killer craze cash grab.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • UK • CA
Netflix Standard with Ads
US • CA • UK
Why fans love it

Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story functions as a clinical examination of the systemic failures that allowed a serial killer to operate for over a decade. The narrative shifts focus away from the typical perspective of a criminal mastermind, emphasizing the brutality of the murders and the institutional negligence that emboldened the perpetrator. It maintains a consistent, foreboding atmosphere that highlights how racism and apathy within law enforcement contributed to the tragedy.

Evan Peters anchors the miniseries with a restrained performance that avoids sensationalizing the subject matter. The writing prioritizes the reality of the victims and the incompetence of the police over traditional tropes of the crime genre. By detailing the specific instances of systemic ignorance, the series positions these murders as a failure of social responsibility rather than a mere mystery to be solved.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 12
Longest run 10 eps
Evan Peters
Evan Peters
as Jeffrey Dahmer
10 episodes
Richard Jenkins
Richard Jenkins
as Lionel Dahmer
10 episodes
Molly Ringwald
Molly Ringwald
as Shari Dahmer
10 episodes
Michael Learned
Michael Learned
as Catherine Dahmer
10 episodes
Niecy Nash
Niecy Nash
as Glenda Cleveland
10 episodes
Brey Chanadet
Brey Chanadet
as Other Kid
1 episode
Nick Fisher
Nick Fisher
as Young Jeffrey Dahmer
1 episode
Michael Beach
Michael Beach
as Det. Dennis Murphy
6 episodes
Show 67 more
Colby French as Patrick Kennedy 6 episodes Mac Brandt as Robert Rauth 2 episodes Shaun Brown as Tracy Edwards 3 episodes Grant Harvey as Rolf Mueller 2 episodes Penelope Ann Miller as Joyce Dahmer 3 episodes Kieran Tamondong as Konerak Sinthasomphone 3 episodes Josh Braaten as Young Lionel Dahmer 2 episodes Cameron Cowperthwaite as Steven Hicks 2 episodes Nigel Gibbs as Reverend Jesse Jackson 2 episodes Justin Stella as Derek 1 episode Andy Taylor Kim as Investigator 1 episode Ken Lerner as Joe Zilber 1 episode Savannah Brown as Young Joyce Dahmer 2 episodes Michael Andrew Baker as Lionel's Lawyer 1 episode Jesse Bush as Officer #1 1 episode Thomas Crawford as Judge 1 episode Colin Ford as Chazz 1 episode Karole Foreman as Dottie 1 episode Asa Germann as Blonde Jogger 1 episode Matthew Gilmore as Officer #2 1 episode Trilby Glover as Guidance Counselor 1 episode Alex Hyde-White as Doctor 1 episode Emma Kennedy as Denise 1 episode Peter MacKenzie as Mr. Bertoglio 1 episode Tenz McCall as Young David Dahmer 1 episode David Theune as Math Teacher 1 episode Ato Blankson-Wood as Aaron 1 episode Chris Gann as Police Officer #1 2 episodes Rhoyle Ivy King as Don 1 episode Joshua Edward Moore as CSI Investigator 1 episode Mark Reininga as Young Police Officer 2 episodes Leanne Suter as On Camera Reporter 2 episodes Matthew Alan as Officer Gabrish 3 episodes Scott Michael Morgan as Officer Balcerzak 3 episodes Hope Banks as Mrs. Hempsill 1 episode Rodney Burford as Tony Hughes 3 episodes Cole Capps as Kevin 1 episode Ken Clement as Wally the Butcher 2 episodes Tyler Crim as Paramedic #2 1 episode Tempany Deckert as Front Desk Police Officer 1 episode Peter Holden as Police Officer 1 episode Daniel Curtis Lee as Police Photographer 1 episode Keylor Leigh as Department Store Clerk 1 episode Travon McCall as Police Lieutenant 1 episode Dia La Ren Nash as Sandra Smith 3 episodes Curtis Nelson II as Paramedic #1 1 episode Teshi Thomas as Nicole Childress 1 episode Dyllón Burnside as Ronald Flowers 3 episodes Somlit Inthalangsy as Sayamone Sinthasomphone 4 episodes Phet Mahathongdy as Somdy Sinthasomphone 5 episodes Brayden Maniago as Somsack Sinthasomphone 5 episodes Khetphet Phagnasay as Sounthone Sinthasomphone 5 episodes Karen Malina White as Shirley Hughes 5 episodes DaShawn Barnes as Rita Isbell 3 episodes Amy Mack as Barbara Hughes 2 episodes Corey Timmons as Will Hughes 2 episodes Kyrsten V. Williams as Kim Hughes 2 episodes Nikea Gamby-Turner as Mildred Lindsey 3 episodes David Barrera as Chief Arreola 3 episodes Maurice Demus as Jacob 2 episodes Clark Moore as Deputy Chief 2 episodes Scott Paophavihanh as Anouke Sinthasomphone 5 episodes Raymond Watanga as Sopa Princewill 2 episodes Rodney J. Hobbs as African American Sergeant 2 episodes Keyla McNeely as Dorothy Straughter 2 episodes Jake Green as Officer Kelly 2 episodes Furly Mac as Christopher Scarver 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Costume Design
Rudy Mance
Creator
Ryan Murphy
Executive Producer
Ryan Murphy Alexis Martin Woodall Janet Mock
Transportation Coordinator
Matt Talamantes
Costume Supervisor
Suzy Freeman
Other
Kristen Davis
Second Second Assistant Director
George Williams III
Stunt Coordinator
Jessica Harbeck
Director of Photography
Jason McCormick
Editor
Curtis Thurber Taylor Mason Stephanie Filo
Assistant Editor
Robin August
Production Design
Matthew Flood Ferguson
Digital Imaging Technician
James Petersmeyer
Supervising Art Director
Helen Harwell
Costume Coordinator
Audrey Elliott
Associate Producer
Kathia Sanchez-Aldana
Director
Clement Virgo
Set Decoration
Melissa Licht
Transportation Captain
Scott Duncan
Producer
Richard Jenkins
Hairstylist
Michael Ward
First Assistant Director
E. Langston Craig Dan Lazarovits
Special Effects Technician
Brent K. Walker
Co-Executive Producer
Sara Stelwagen
Additional Photography
John T. Connor
Signal Match

Similarity

Where DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

deaf-mute pedophilia court case necrophilia alcoholism based on true story murder serial killer miniseries racism psychological thriller brutality criminal lgbt troubled childhood murder investigation milwaukee wisconsin racist cop apartment depressing foreboding
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 21, 2022
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
2,950