Stop sexualizing serial killers

In the last couple of years there has been a slew of docuseries, TV shows and movies portraying the lives and terrible crimes of serial killers being produced by different streaming services. 

With each one, a fandom of people interested in the reasons why the murderers did what they did and all of the details behind the killings emerge. They become fascinated with each little detail and often begin to unjustly fantasize and, in some cases, crush on some of the most dangerous people in America.

This week, Lionel Dahmer, the father of serial killer Jeffery Dahmer, said that he might be suing Netflix for its recent docuseries ‘Conversations with a Killer: Jeffery Dahmer Tapes’ and the show ‘Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story’ for glamorizing the murders his son committed. 

In an article published by Metro UK, Lionel said that he, or any of the victim’s families, were not consulted by Netflix when production on the shows began. Lionel also reported that he had a 20-year-old woman threw underwear into his yard while screaming “I love you, Lionel.”

The show, also known as Dahmer, immediately hit Netflix’s Top 10 list, with fans gravitating to the retelling of the gruesome murders. Fans posted videos to TikTok saying that the show, which was already more detailed than the victim’s families would’ve liked, left out some of the most disturbing parts. However, for many viewers, the show was too hard to get through. 

Memes were also created talking about how attractive Dahmer was since he was portrayed by actor Evan Peters. But they went further by actually starting to lust after the murderer himself. 

Just a few years ago, when Netflix released the movie ‘Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile’ in 2019, similar things were said about Zac Efron’s portrayal of Ted Bundy. 

Many women said that, just like the girls that thought Bundy was charming in the 70s, they would’ve been unable to resist his looks and would’ve probably been one of his victims if he looked like Efron. 

I think these examples prove the point that the entertainment industry, and the people that consume these types of shows and movies, are taking it a step too far. 

It is one thing to be interested in what happened and try to figure out why serial killers do what they do, that’s just human nature. But dramatizing their lives to the point that people become infatuated with them is too far. 

These people did some of the worst things humanly imaginable. 

They are not who we should be lusting and obsessing over. I think Lionel has the right to be upset.

The show did go too far. 

The families of the victims have had to relive the brutal murders of their loved ones simply for the enjoyment of others. It has caused so much unnecessary trauma and reopening of old wounds. 

Maybe the next time a show like Dahmer comes out, think about the effect it has on the families of the victims and have a little more empathy before watching or joining the viral TikTok trend surrounding the last words a victim probably ever heard. 

After all, how would you feel if someone said that the person who killed you was hot?