The Jeffrey Dahmer Sparknotes

In September 2022, Netflix released a series based on the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. The series, Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, is directed by Ryan Murphy and stars Evan Peters. The Dahmer series amassed 196.2 million viewing hours within the first week of its release (Delgado, 2022). The episodes of the series share Dahmer’s story with graphic and violent retellings of the crimes he committed. Dahmer murdered and dismembered 17 men and boys, most of whom were Black. The victims were in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities. Since the series premiered, there have been many controversies circulating. Various people and groups have shared their thoughts on the series and the effects it has on

Murphy indicates the series focuses on the victims and who they are as individuals in addition to neutrally portraying Dahmer. A prominent frame used by Murphy is that of sharing unheard and silenced voices since his goal is to focus on the double marginalized population of gay men of colour. Furthermore, the narrative exhibited is a minority voices narrative. Murphy and his team conducted research over three and a half years to collect information and reach out to the people who knew the victims personally (Strause, 2022). One of Murphy’s goals with the series is to highlight the racism and homophobia that allowed Dahmer to perpetuate so much harm to the Black LGBTQ+ community. As a gay man, Murphy includes many LGBTQ+ stories in many of his works. Murphy indicates the series belongs in the LGBTQ+ category because the series displays homophobia, which is directly related to the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, Murphy asserts not every LGBTQ+ story must be a positive or uplifting story (Strause,

Every claims-maker has a different perspective and view on the Dahmer series. Some claims-makers exhibit a personal relationship to the effects of the series, some detail the impacts on the wider community. In conclusion, the media portrayal of Dahmer has created controversies and has opened the eyes of many claims-makers and the issues with media portrayal of violent serial killers. Family and friends of the victims are disappointed the series was created. LGBTQ+ community members highlight the retraumatization caused by the series. The director Ryan Murphy discusses the importance of giving LGBTQ+ victims a voice. And entertainment news argues there is too much violence in the media. Each claims-maker has a different narrative and agenda to push to the public based on their interpretation of the series. It is well-known that Dahmer murdered 17 men and boys, the series begs the question if another violent portrayal of a criminal is necessary for media today. Due to the popularity of the series and the media attention it garnered, it is unlikely that violent depictions of criminals and their acts will cease to be displayed in the