"Dahmer" delves into the twisted psyche of one of America's most notorious serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer. The film doesn't just focus on his heinous crimes, but also attempts to explore the man behind them.
Through a series of flashbacks interwoven with present-day events, the movie paints a chilling portrait of Dahmer's descent into madness, his troubled childhood, and the events that might have triggered his murderous tendencies. While it doesn't justify his actions, it offers a glimpse into the mind of a man who became a monster.
Release Information
Release Date:
June 21, 2002
Duration:
101 minutes
Rating:
R (for disturbing violent content, sexuality, language, and some drug use)
Country of Origin:
United States
Cast & Crew
Main Cast:
- Jeremy Renner as Jeffrey Dahmer
- Bruce Davison as Lionel Dahmer
- Artel Kayàru as Rodney
Director:
David Jacobson
Writers:
David Jacobson
Where to Stream
United States (US)
There are currently no streaming offers in the US.
Streaming: Dive into the movie on platforms like fuboTV and Hoopla.
Buy/Rent: If you're looking to own or rent the movie, you can find it on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Microsoft Store.
United Kingdom (GB)
There are currently no streaming offers in the GB.
Currently, there are no available platforms for streaming, buying, or watching the movie for free in the UK.
Germany (DE)
There are currently no streaming offers in the DE.
Streaming: German movie buffs can enjoy the movie on Amazon Prime Video.
France (FR)
There are currently no streaming offers in the FR.
Streaming: For those in France, Amazon Prime Video is your go-to for streaming the movie.
Canada (CA)
There are currently no streaming offers in the CA.
Streaming: Canadians can stream the movie on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla.
Production Details
Production Company:
Peninsula Films, Blockbuster Films
Distributor:
DEJ Productions, Blockbuster Films
Budget:
Estimated at $250,000
Box Office Collection:
While the film had a limited release, it garnered attention primarily for Jeremy Renner's haunting portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer. The exact box office collection is not widely reported, but the film did achieve a cult status among horror and true crime enthusiasts.
Reception
Critical Reception:
"Dahmer" received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film for its in-depth character study and Renner's standout performance, others felt the film was too sympathetic towards its titular character.
The film currently holds a rating of 68% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 44 reviews, with the consensus reading, "Jeremy Renner's performance is the highlight of this disturbing drama."
Roger Ebert, a renowned film critic, wrote, "The film doesn't attempt to psychoanalyze its subject or make him sympathetic. Instead, it presents Dahmer as a profoundly disturbed individual, and Renner's portrayal makes him all the more unsettling."
Audience Reception:
The audience reception was polarized. Many were intrigued by the film's attempt to delve into the mind of a serial killer without glorifying his actions. Others found it too disturbing or felt it was an unnecessary exploration of a real-life monster. However, most agreed that Jeremy Renner's performance was the film's strongest point.
Awards & Nominations:
Jeremy Renner's portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer earned him several nominations and accolades. He won the Best Actor award at the Stockholm Film Festival. The film itself was nominated for Best Feature at the Stockholm Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards.