Why Dahmer is Darker Than You Think

By: Zoey Anderson

I’m sure most of you have heard of Netflix’s recent release, Dahmer. It follows a recreation of the infamous serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer, and his crimes. Although this show was the most searched on Netflix the day of its release, the show has faced harsh backlash and criticism due to the streaming platform’s lack of permission from the victim’s families.

This show is very accurate and I’m sure, you wouldn’t want a recreation and a platform given to the events of your loved one’s murder. Not only does this series showcase Dahmer’s crimes, but it also gives him a platform. Recreating and posting only gives serial killers what they want⎼fame. Many and most serial killers are narcissists, so showcasing their crimes doesn’t harm them in any way. In their mind it celebrates them. Although Dahmer is no longer alive, this gives his supporters⎼yes, his supporters⎼ more content to thrive off of and imitate.

Rita Isbell, the sister of Dahmer’s victim Eroll Lindsey, published an essay about her opinion on the show and her court scene. In this essay she says, “I was never contacted about the show.'' She also says, “When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, especially when I saw myself — when I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said.” Isbell also commented on the profits of the show and how this series will earn Netflix money, however none of this money will go to the victims' families. "If the show benefited them in some way, it wouldn't feel so harsh and careless," she said. "It's sad that they’re just making money off of this tragedy. That's just greed."

Another member of Lindsey’s family, Eric Perry, stated in a now deleted Tweet, “It’s retraumatizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/shows/documentaries do we need?" "They don’t notify families when they do this," Perry tweeted, agreeing with Isabell. "It’s all public record, so they don’t have to notify (or pay!) anyone. My family found out when everyone else did.”

"​​So when they say they’re doing this 'with respect to the victims' or 'honoring the dignity of the families', no one contacts them. My cousins wake up every few months at this point with a bunch of calls and messages and they know there’s another Dahmer show. It’s cruel."

To go off of this, Netflix needs to apologize. None of the victims were honored or respected with the production of the show, and Netflix needs to stop recreating tragedies like this just to make some money.

Yeo, Amanda. “Why Netflix's 'Dahmer' Series Has Sparked a Backlash Online.” Mashable, Mashable, 1 Oct. 2022, https://mashable.com/article/jeffery-dahmer-netflix-backlash-criticism-why.

Vlamis, Kelsey. “My Brother Was Murdered by Jeffrey Dahmer. Here's What It Was like Watching the Netflix Show That Recreated the Emotional Statement I Gave in Court.” Insider, Insider, 26 Sept. 2022, https://www.insider.com/rita-isbell-sister-jeffrey-dahmer-victim-talks-about-netflix-show-2022-9.