Dahmer (2002)

68% of critics liked it
(38 reviews)
39% of users liked it
(7,294 ratings)

A low-key glimpse into the life and crimes of one of history's most notorious serial killers, Dahmer doesn't concern itself with the gruesome nature of its protagonist's horrific crimes, but rather the troubled mind of the man who committed them. Focusing on the later years in the life of Jeffrey… More A low-key glimpse into the life and crimes of one of history's most notorious serial killers, Dahmer doesn't concern itself with the gruesome nature of its protagonist's horrific crimes, but rather the troubled mind of the man who committed them. Focusing on the later years in the life of Jeffrey Dahmer (Jeremy Renner), David Jacobson's film follows the troubled killer from department store to gay nightclub as he stalks his prey and battles his inner demons, all the while providing contrast to current events with flashbacks from the days during which madness finally gained an inescapable grip on his already unstable mind. From his days in a Milwaukee chocolate factory to nights spent haunting the streets in search of prey, the viewer peers cautiously over the edge of an abyss so deep and so far-stretching that most minds will never fathom the truly monstrous nature of Dahmer's heretofore unprecedented crime spree. As he befriends and brings home yet another potential victim in the form of an outgoing young man named Rodney (Artel Kayaru), Dahmer is forced to confront his past as the two grow increasingly close over the course of the evening. Will Dahmer have a glimmer of humanity during a night of intimate and revealing conversation, or is it already too late for the unassuming young man who has fallen into the same trap as so many before him? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: David Jacobson
Written By: David Jacobson
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jun 21, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Aug 27, 2002
Studio: Peninsula Films

Critic Reviews

Tom Sime, Dallas Morning News
Renner's performance as Dahmer is unforgettable, deeply absorbing.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
The movie should be credited with remembering his victims.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
It lets you brush up against the humanity of a psycho, without making him any less psycho.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
It's difficult to feel anything much while watching this movie, beyond mild disturbance or detached pleasure at the acting.
Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
Ambitious, unsettling psychodrama that takes full, chilling advantage of its rough-around-the-edges, low-budget constraints.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Suffers from a lack of clarity and audacity that a subject as monstrous and pathetic as Dahmer demands.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
A little too boring, when you think about the subject.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Worth a look, if only for Renner's complex performance.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
A story which fails to rise above its disgusting source material.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
A chilling movie without oppressive gore.
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
Renner?s face is chillingly unemotive, yet he communicates a great deal in his performance. See it for his performance if nothing else.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Director David Jacobson gives Dahmer a consideration that the murderer never game his victims.
Mark Dujsik, Mark Reviews Movies
Does what should seem impossible: it makes serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer boring.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Renner carries much of the film with a creepy and dead-on performance.
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
Since Dahmer resorts to standard slasher flick thrills when it should be most in the mind of the killer, it misses a major opportunity to be truly revelatory about his psyche.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's not that "Dahmer" was a bad film, which it certainly wasn't, but it was a pointless one that was more unsettling than informative or penetrating.
Shawn Levy, Oregonian
Writer-director David Jacobson and his star, Jeremy Renner, have made a remarkable film that explores the monster's psychology not in order to excuse him but rather to demonstrate that his pathology evolved from human impulses that grew hideously twisted.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
The DVD doesn't live up to the movie's merits, but see it on video if you missed it in the theater
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
It's shocking, intense, and totally creepy, yet compelling and sad. Jeremy Renner gives a career-making performance.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

I was drawn to this film because of Jeremy Renner, who impressed me so much in The Hurt Locker. He does a really good job here as well. If you are at all familiar with the horrific acts of Jeffrey Dahmer, you know that this could have easily been a bloody mess of a slasher /… More
I was drawn to this film because of Jeremy Renner, who impressed me so much in The Hurt Locker. He does a really good job here as well. If you are at all familiar with the horrific acts of Jeffrey Dahmer, you know that this could have easily been a bloody mess of a slasher / torture porn type film. Luckily the film maker took a more psychological appraoach and I think the film is more powerful because of it. Sure it is still deeply disturbing and slightly gory, but the story is told in such an interesting way that it made for pretty solid film.
Daniel J D

This movie definitely isn't for the faint of heart (but that shouldn't come as a surprise if you know anything about the real Dahmer). Renner impresses with his complex Dahmer. The movie focuses more on his reactions to his actions than his actions themselves, effectively… More
This movie definitely isn't for the faint of heart (but that shouldn't come as a surprise if you know anything about the real Dahmer). Renner impresses with his complex Dahmer. The movie focuses more on his reactions to his actions than his actions themselves, effectively capturing the disturbing aura oozing just beneath his calm, reserved surface.
Lady D

Possibly one of the sickest films of it's genre, covering the facts of the true life story of the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Interms of the actual film it was pretty porrly acted and even felt a bit dated. You may find a strong stomach will help you on this one, purely… More
Possibly one of the sickest films of it's genre, covering the facts of the true life story of the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Interms of the actual film it was pretty porrly acted and even felt a bit dated. You may find a strong stomach will help you on this one, purely because it's related to true events, but it's certainly not for everyone.
Lanning :

One big star for Jeremy Renner's intensity in this role. Considering the kind of person Dahmer was, this is a little too artful an attempt to bring us the "real" Jeffrey Dahmer. Do we really need to feel any kind of sympathy for him? His personal history truly pales… More
One big star for Jeremy Renner's intensity in this role. Considering the kind of person Dahmer was, this is a little too artful an attempt to bring us the "real" Jeffrey Dahmer. Do we really need to feel any kind of sympathy for him? His personal history truly pales compared to the results of his complusion. <p> I've worked with many people who had terrible childhoods and terrible family situations. They don't all end up like Dahmer Sympathy? If anything, I sympathize with the inmate who finally put Dahmer out of our misery.
Wu C

Sub-par film that stays afloat by Renner's performance as Dahmer.
Nicky M

Actually artsy while disturbing. Maybe I just couldn't get past the idea of somewhat humanizing this guy. Not a bad "biography" but I found the whole thing icky so mission accomplished I guess. Skimmed over too many of the facts. Not something I would watch again.