The Netflix series – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is based on the real story of Jeffrey Dahmer’s life who was a serial killer and sex offender who committed the murder and dismemberment of seventeen men and boys between 1978 and 1991. He was also known as as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster. Dahmer’s life has had various adaptations in Hollywood, some were well created, others were simple cash grabs. However, it looks like Netflix’s version is one of the better ones. It is cruel, disturbing and horrifying. Evan Peters (American Horror Story, Mare of Easttown, X-Men: Apocalypse) is a massively popular TV star with undeniable talent, so watching him embody such an infamous figure is intriguing.
Peters’ portrayal of Dahmer and Monster’s graphic dramatizations of his murders are the most appealing factors for true crime fans interested in the show. Despite the slump that Netflix has been in it looks the streaming giant does find glimpses of success with their new releases. Netflix’s new true crime drama Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story become the biggest Premiere Since Stranger Things 4 and has now become one of the biggest shows of all time.
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is Only Second to Netflix in Viewership Numbers!
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story became Netflix’s most successful premiere since Stranger Things season 4 in May. Deadline reports that 196.2 million people tuned into the show, which makes it the fifth most-watched series premiere since Netflix’s viewership data remodeling last June. Only Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead, Stranger Things season 4, and Bridgerton season 2 drew more viewers in that timeframe. After the show had shattered premiere records, it quickly went on to become Netflix’s second most watched show over the course of a week. As reported by Deadline, the show accumulated 299.84 million hours viewed during week two of its availability on Netflix.
This number puts it second only to Season 4 of Stranger Things. Along with the popularity among audiences, the show is also facing a lot of controversy, it began when Netflix released the show. Netflix gave the show an LGBTQ+ label, which was meant to reference the fact that serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, whose crimes spanned 1978 to 1991, typically targeted gay and bisexual men. However, some people were and a Twitter user tries to explain how exploitative it is from Netflix to tag this series as LGBTQ+.
“Netflix having the audacity to put Dahmer under the LGBTQ+ tag is literally so fitting – exploiting the trauma of real, gay, Black and Brown victims for their own financial gain. Turning their stories into a sideshow attraction.” After the backlash Netflix was quick to take down the LGBTQ+ tag off the series but the damage was done.
People who were actually affected by Dahmer’s murders also spoke out against the show, including Eric Perry, the cousin of victim Errol Lindsey. “I’m not telling anyone what to watch. I know true crime media is huge rn, but if you’re actually curious about the victims, my family (the Isbells) are pissed about this show. Recreating my cousin having an emotional breakdown in court in the face of the man who tortured and murdered her brother is WILD.”
Kim Alsup, a production coordinator on Dahmer, recounted her “horrible” behind-the-scenes experiences on the set of the Netflix series as one of two Black employees on set. “Working on this took everything I had as I was treated horribly,” she said. Alsup described working on the production as “exhausting,” calling Dahmer one of the “worst shows” she’s ever worked on.
All episodes of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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