Netflix’s ‘Dahmer’ Is Splitting Critics And Fans Yet Again

Netflix’s current #1 show is Dahmer, which has a mouthful of a full title of “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” one of at least a dozen looks at the infamous serial killer across media, but this one is probably the highest budgeted, and now most viewed, given its prominence on Netflix.

The show is in part from Ryan Murphy, back to collaborate with Evan Peters of American Horror Story and occasional X-Men fame, playing Dahmer. And the show has split fans and critics, with fans giving it high marks and critics, in a more limited capacity, giving it low ones.

• At present, Dahmer currently has a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 87% from audiences.
• It has a rather high 8.5/10 on IMDB from fans as well.

One issue is the state of television reviews, in which that 50% is acquired from just ten total critics, which seems rather absurd given that this is the #1 show on Netflix, and in turn, likely the most-watched show in the world right now. And yet not more than ten outlets can muster up critics to give it scores? That seems exceedingly strange.

I suppose I’m contributing to that myself and should probably score my own review here, now that I’ve finished it. On this one, I’m on the positive side. I don’t know if “liking” the series is the right word, as it’s pretty unsettling to watch, but I do think it’s well-acted by everyone involved, and the show does do a lot of work to maintain the focus is on the victims, the ineptitude of the police and the damage that Dahmer left in his wake. Not only is he very clearly portrayed as a monster, but also just…kind of an asshole, if that makes sense, especially in his post-arrest era where he relishes his own celebrity.

One ironic point the series raises is about Dahmer and his family and third parties making money off of Dahmer’s story, money which is eventually ruled must go to the victims. But here we are, watching a big miniseries on the biggest streaming service in existence, and Dahmer is being used once again to draw in audiences due to the shock and horror of his actions. Even if there is a focus on the victims and police misconduct and such, that still remains an odd aspect of this. Though yes, we have dozens and dozens of serial killer shows and movies, so this is not exactly a new problem. It’s just interesting that it’s addressed directly in the show this time, while also kind of being the thing it’s critiquing.

I am not sure why the show seems to be resonating this highly among audiences. I know that Evan Peters has his fans, and it certainly is a well-made production. Unlike most Netflix series, there is no debating about whether or not Dahmer will get a season two. Rather, just how many years we’ll wait until the next high profile telling of this story, which is no doubt on the way.

Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to my free weekly content round-up newsletter, God Rolls.

Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.