X
- 2002
- R
- FilmRise
- 1 h 41 m
- 2002
- R
- FilmRise
- 1 h 41 m
Summary This film seeks to recast a modern symbol of evil as a man driven by very real weaknesses and needs and, in so doing, to broaden our sense of what it is to be human. (Peninsula Films)
Directed By: David Jacobson
Written By: David Birke, David Jacobson
- 2002
- R
- FilmRise
- 1 h 41 m
- 2002
- R
- FilmRise
- 1 h 41 m
Dahmer
63
7.0
Where to Watch
Summary This film seeks to recast a modern symbol of evil as a man driven by very real weaknesses and needs and, in so doing, to broaden our sense of what it is to be human. (Peninsula Films)
Directed By: David Jacobson
Written By: David Birke, David Jacobson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
63
56% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
39% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
63
56% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
39% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
It's a triumph of the film that it manages to make Jeffrey Dahmer a human being -- at least a member of the species -- without ever bending toward empathy with or excuses for him.
Uses the serial killer's life as the starting point for a hypnotic examination of the farthest reaches of loneliness and alienation.
The performances are excellent and the filmmaking is remarkably restrained, although moments of perverse violence are necessary to the real-life story being told.
The whole of it plays like a dark and dreary tone poem, only marginally interested in explaining the ticking, bloody clockwork of the inner beast and only occasionally touching on his fractured humanity.
Star Jeremy Renner seems shorter than Dahmer, but is otherwise a look-alike and gives a convincingly intense and weird performance. Bruce Davison (as Papa Dahmer) and the rest of the cast also do nice work.
It succeeds, occasionally.
So lacking in insight and gravity that it makes Dahmer seem like a pesky, pasty-faced loser who just wasn't popular enough.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 19 User Ratings
7.0
63% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
16% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
21% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 19 User Ratings
7.0
63% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
16% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
21% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 3 Nominations
