Dahmer – Monster The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is Ryan Murphy’s latest true crime show that dissects the life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and the events that ensued before and after he was caught. The show is a 10-part mini-series that runs for 50-60 minutes per episode. It gives the viewers each character’s perspective and how their lives have been impacted by these crimes.
The show stars Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer, Niecy Nash as Glenda Cleveland, Richard Jenkins as Lionel Dahmer, Molly Ringwald as Shari Dahmer, Michael Learned as Catherine Dahmer and Rodney Burford as Tony Hughes.
DAHMER Ending Explained
The final episode titled “God of Forgiveness, God of Vengeance” tries to tie up all the loose ends while also introducing a completely new storyline into the show. This character is used to draw parallels between his life and that of Dahmer. However, there is room to speculate on the significance of this late introduction. Is this perhaps a snippet of another show in the making? We’ll have to wait and see for that.
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The episode begins with our mystery killer luring one of his victims back to his place on the pretence of providing work. The events leading up to the killings are truly horrifying as the killer ties the victim’s hands with rosary beads and drowns him to death while wearing a clown costume. He is later revealed to be John Wayne Gacy the notorious serial killer who dressed up as his alter-ego ‘Pogo the Clown’ when he murdered his victims.
Soon after the Dahmer victim’s families begin to unite and stand their ground as they mourn the loss of the young black and brown men and try to seek compensation for the lives lost. What follows is the tiring process of having to heal not on one’s own terms but that of the outside world. Each character goes through an internal struggle of questioning their faith and ability to forgive these wrongdoings.
The last few episodes take us through Dahmer’s life in prison and how his killings have led to his idolization by a few disturbed fans. We see how people begin to use this tragedy to their advantage by monetizing the story in the form of books, videos and even collectable items. This makes you question whether the constant retelling of such stories is a way to educate the audience or glorify the nature of these killings.
However, not everyone is amused by Dahmer’s behaviour, as one of the inmates, Christopher Scarver becomes disturbed by the lack of remorse on his part when he sees Dahmer use baptism as a way to forgive and forget all that he has done. Along with the assistance of the correctional officer, he plots his vengeance and brutally murders Dahmer.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the show is the relationship between Jeffrey and his father Lionel Dahmer. He is depicted as a part-time parent who comes in and out of Dahmer’s life when it’s most convenient for him. It’s bizarre to see the extent to which his father is able to unsee his behaviour and ultimately even forgive him for the gross acts he has committed.
We later find out that Lionel had similar disturbing fantasies growing up, and used deflection as a way to not process his inner thoughts. A behaviour which he later continued to adopt when he witnessed some of Dahmer’s unsettling behaviours.
The show ends with a shot of Dahmer’s brain burning in the fire as Glenda discovers that even after two years of petitioning for a memorial park nothing had been done to commemorate the lives that were lost. It further emboldens the struggles faced by people of colour and LGBTQIA+ in America.
DAHMER is streaming on Netflix.
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