Evan Peters takes on a disturbing real life monster as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in the new Netflix series. Here is everything to know about the series, from plot, characters, and reactions to the horrifying show.
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What is DAHMER about?
DAHMER- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer story was created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. It follows Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most notorious serial killers from Milwaukee, from the point of view of his victims. Audiences follow flashbacks of the serial killer from his youth while also seeing the murders take place.
While Evan Peters plays central character Jeffrey, this 10 episode series also focuses on his victims. Jeffrey Dahmer sought out and killed 17 teen boys and young men, and evaded arrest for almost 13 years. Here are some of the victims mentioned and who plays them in the show: Cameron Cowperthwaite as Steven Hicks, Vince Hill-Bedford as Steven Tuomi, Kieran Tamondong as Konerak Sinthasomphone, and Rodney Burford as Tony Hughes.
Along with these characters, Niecy Nash plays Glenda Cleveland, Jeffrey’s neighbor who continually told the police she was suspicious of Jeffrey. Richard Jenkins plays Jeffery’s father Lionel Dahmer, Penelope Ann Miller plays Jefferey’s mother Joyce Dahmer, Molly Ringwald plays Lionel’s second wife Shari, and Michael Learned plays Jeffrey’s grandmotherCatherine Dahmer.
Shaun J. Brown and Dyllón Burnside play Tracy Edwards and Ronald Flowers, 2 young men who escaped Jeffrey’s apartment and helped police discover the truth about Jeffrey’s killings. Furly McFly portrays Christopher Scarver, the man who kills Jeffrey Dahmer in prison.
Evan Peters’ process on becoming Jeffrey Dahmer
Evan Peters has played dangerous, disturbing roles before like in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Stories series. Nothing comes close to playing a real life serial killer, though. In a new featurette from Netflix, Peters explains his process of getting into character.
“I immediately went to YouTube and watched the Stone Phillips interview,” he shares, “and then proceeded to read biographies, read the police report, and his confession.”
Evan Peters wanted his portrayal to be as authentic as possible. To do that, he had to reach some dark places.
“I was scared about all the things he did and diving into that,” he explains. “Trying to commit to that was going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life. I wanted it to be very authentic, but in order to do that, I was going to have to go to really dark places and stay there for an extended period of time.”
Reactions to Dahmer
While the show focuses on the murders of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, it sends the message of the failures of the police department. DAHMER shows that these victims were people, not just a part of a true crime story. Here are some reactions to the series on social media.
We must always remember.
#DahmerNetflix is out, let’s not romanticize Jeffrey Dahmer just because he is played by Evan Peters.
Remember the victims.
A tread about each victim and who they were. pic.twitter.com/3NAZpG40Dq— hot girl jo (@sicssorluv) September 21, 2022
The root of the show.
“You’re gonna believe a white man with a criminal record instead of a black man with no record”
That sums up why #DahmerNetflix deserves to be told. It’s a story about racism, poverty, police brutality, injustice and privilege. All of which are still relevant today.
— 🌿 public high notes ✨ (@family_jules_) September 22, 2022
Our hearts will continue to go out for his family and friends.
The Tony Hughes (1960-1991) episode is the most heartbreaking of all the episode. Being gay, black and deaf in the 90’s. Then his friend’s murder. Then he’s murdered. He was so handsome. He could of made it as a model. Rip king #DahmerNetflix pic.twitter.com/2wEmk6lYKt
— Ivy Cohen (@ivcohen) September 22, 2022
We’re thankful to hear about her now.
I see why #dahmerNetflix was made. Why am i just hearing about Glenda Cleveland?! She wasn’t mentioned in other TV/movies about Dahmer.
This woman was sounding all the alarms but the police were incompetent AF pic.twitter.com/xwWZX7aszb
— Gooped from Dragon Soop 🐲 (@KarMahor1) September 23, 2022
Catch DAHMER, now streaming on Netflix.
