By now most people have heard of the new show, “Dahmer- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” starring “American Horror Story’s” Evan Peters as the monster Jeffrey Dahmer. This series was produced  by Ryan Murphy (also from “AHS”) and began streaming on Netflix  Sept. 21. The series has stirred up some  controversy  around the question of whether the creators should share their profits with victims’ families.

Through the years 1978 to 1991 serial killer/cannibal,  Dahmer murdered 17 young men in West Allis and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There have already been numerous movies and documentaries made about this deranged individual, such as “My Friend Dahmer” (2017) and “The Jeffrey Dahmer Files”(2013).

So why is this one any different?

For starters, the producers didn’t ask, or even notify victims’ families about the series, nor have they shared any of their profit. Eric Wynn was a friend  of some of Dahmer’s victims, and he has very strong opinions on the new series. “It couldn’t be more wrong, more ill-timed, and it’s a media grab,” Wynn said  in a New York Times piece.

With Halloween around the corner and all the talk about Dahmer buzzing, people also fear he may become a common costume. Some people are worried that Dahmer is being glorified and humanized, and while that is a valid concern, I don’t agree with it. 

I  agree that people should not dress up as him, but I don’t believe he is  glorified in the series. Cannibalism and serial killing are  concepts  so sick and aberrant , I believe people have a perverse interest  in learning more about true crime and trying to understand what motivates  Dahmer and other killers  to commit these despicable crimes.

And I do feel bad for the families of victims, and the victims as well, and Netflix definitely should’ve got permission from the families. I can also see why people may be triggered or disturbed by the show, but they are not being forced to watch it. I believe a lot of people enjoy learning about true crime. Although the show wasn’t totally accurate, I  believe it did a really good job presenting the details of the crimes. 

If they take down just this one series, they would have to take down every other documentary/movie/series on Dahmer and every other other serial killer  to make things consistent. I don’t believe  these shows should be censored because some people find them offensive. 

If you don’t want to watch “Dahmer-Monster,” the solution is simple: Don’t.