Before ‘Wednesday’ became THE series phenomenon in 2022, another Netflix format caused a sensation: ‘Dahmer – Monster’. Developed by Ryan Murphy (“American Horror Story”), the series revolves around the life of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who killed 17 men and not only sexually assaulted the corpses, but also expressed his cannibalistic tendencies. “Dahmer – Monster” managed to take a barely lurid look at this individual to examine all the factors that led Dahmer to these brutal acts.
You have seen “Dahmer – Monster”, were also enthusiastic about it and are now looking for suitable supplies? No problem! On Amazon Prime video a real insider tip is now available as a subscription: “dahmer“From the year 2002. This is an indie film directed by David Jacobson (“San Fernando Cowboy”, “The Honor Of Killing”) starring Marvel star Jeremy Renner in his first leading role as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
This is “Dahmer” with Jeremy Renner
In “Dahmer” the life of Jeffrey Dahmer is told in a parallel montage. Although the main setting is the Oxford apartment complex in Milwaukee in the early 1990s, where Dahmer has repeatedly lured young men, it features repeated scenes from his past. Above all, it is made clear what Dahmer’s relationship with his father (Bruce Davison, “X-Men”) was like.
Anyone who has seen “Dahmer – Monster” on Neflix will not learn anything new about the serial killer in “Dahmer”. Instead, you can expect a distinctly pared-down version of the successful series here, which often just skims the surface of many topics rather than really sorting them out. It’s common knowledge that Jeffrey Dahmer was lonely and ended up being neglected by the people who were supposed to care for him, but it’s a little too short to explain his actions.
That “Dahmer” does not seem completely simplified in dealing with Jeffrey Dahmer’s story, but rather compressed, is undoubtedly due to Jeremy Renner, who puts in a great performance in his first starring role. Now best known as Hawkeye from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Renner doesn’t just know how to transport the menace of a Jeffrey Dahmers from “Hunt.” He also succeeds in the sensitive little moments when the serial killer seems to no longer understand himself, but at the same time completely at his mercy.
In any case, it is the right approach not to make “Dahmer” a horror film, but rather a drama about a passionate soul, because Jeremy Renner can express his acting repertoire in a much more engaging way. As I said: those who have seen “Dahmer – Monster” will not learn anything new about the serial killer, which is also due to the fact that the Netflix series is simply THE reference for dealing with Dahmer. As a dark, very well acted and understated staged drama, “Dahmer” is worth watching.