My Friend Dahmer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A socially awkward teen experiments with roadkill, fakes seizures for attention, and somehow this leads to 17 murders… blame high school?

🍿 My Friend Dahmer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

High School Struggles

The film depicts Jeffrey Dahmer’s life as a high school student in the late 1970s. He is portrayed as an awkward and isolated teenager struggling to find his place among his peers. His eccentric behavior and fascination with roadkill make him an outcast, leading to feelings of loneliness and alienation. Dahmer seeks attention by engaging in bizarre antics, such as faking seizures, which oddly gains him a following among a group of classmates. These ‘friends’ exploit his oddities for their amusement, further contributing to his emotional detachment and inner turmoil. The film subtly hints at the dark path Dahmer is destined to take, highlighting his disturbing fascination with death and dissection.

Dysfunctional Family Life

Adding to Dahmer’s troubles is his unstable home environment. His parents, Joyce and Lionel, are embroiled in a tumultuous relationship marked by constant arguments and emotional distance. Joyce suffers from mental health issues, while Lionel struggles with his own personal demons, leaving Jeffrey feeling neglected and unsupported. The impending divorce of his parents further destabilizes Dahmer’s life, leaving him feeling abandoned and increasingly isolated. This lack of parental guidance and emotional support exacerbates his already existing issues, pushing him closer to the edge.

The Descent into Darkness

As Dahmer’s isolation deepens, his behavior becomes increasingly disturbing. He experiments with dissolving animal bones in acid and exhibits a growing fascination with the macabre. These unsettling habits hint at the darkness that is consuming him, foreshadowing the horrific crimes he will eventually commit. The film culminates with Dahmer’s high school graduation and his increasing reliance on alcohol to cope with his inner demons. The final scene depicts Dahmer picking up a hitchhiker, Steven Hicks, setting the stage for his first murder, which is only revealed through an epilogue.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jeff Dahmer (Ross Lynch): A troubled and isolated high school student who later becomes a notorious serial killer.
• John ‘Derf’ Backderf (Alex Wolff): Jeff Dahmer’s high school friend who later chronicles their experiences in a graphic novel.
• Joyce Dahmer (Anne Heche): Jeff Dahmer’s mentally unstable mother, contributing to his troubled upbringing.
• Lionel Dahmer (Dallas Roberts): Jeff Dahmer’s distant and emotionally unavailable father.
• Dr. Matthews (Vincent Kartheiser): The doctor whom Jeff Dahmer starts to fantasize over.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jeffrey Dahmer: “I’m just like anybody else.” – Dahmer’s simple statement is chilling considering the depths of his depravity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.2 million
• Domestic Gross: $1,361,611
• Worldwide Gross: $1,436,751

💥 My Friend Dahmer Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting something gruesome, but I was surprised by how much it focused on Dahmer’s loneliness and struggles. Ross Lynch’s performance really blew me away; he managed to capture this creepy vulnerability that made me feel uneasy. It’s disturbing to watch knowing what’s coming, but the movie does a great job of showing how he became who he was. The graduation scene, where he’s completely alone with that bottle of vodka, really stuck with me. I left feeling disturbed but also strangely empathetic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of true crime dramas”
  • “Those interested in character studies of complex individuals”
  • “Viewers who appreciate indie films with a dark and unsettling tone”
  • “People interested in the psychology of serial killers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of isolation and mental illness”
  • “Disturbing content and unsettling scenes”
  • “Alcohol use and references to violence”
  • “Brief depictions of animal cruelty”
  • “Mature themes not suitable for all viewers”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “A chilling character study that avoids sensationalism, focusing on the mundane moments of Dahmer’s adolescence. Lynch’s performance is captivating, portraying a disturbing blend of vulnerability and impending darkness. The film excels in creating an unsettling atmosphere, highlighting the subtle signs of a future monster.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “My Friend Dahmer treads carefully, never glorifying its subject but offering a glimpse into the factors that might have contributed to his monstrous transformation. Anne Heche and Dallas Roberts provide strong support as Dahmer’s troubled parents. It’s a slow burn, but a worthwhile character study.
• Variety: “Ross Lynch delivers a haunting portrayal of the young Jeffrey Dahmer, capturing his awkwardness and growing isolation. The film explores the complexities of Dahmer’s relationships, but struggles to fully justify its existence as a prequel to unspeakable horrors. It is a slow movie, but manages to be compelling.

Audience Reactions

Ross Lynch’s portrayal of Dahmer is haunting and realistic.: Viewers are impressed by Lynch’s performance and the film’s ability to create tension without explicit violence.

The film provides a disturbing look into the making of a serial killer.: The slow-burn pacing and focus on Dahmer’s high school years create a sense of dread, knowing what’s to come.

Overall Consensus: My Friend Dahmer is a chilling character study that explores the formative years of a notorious serial killer, with Ross Lynch’s captivating performance as a major highlight.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie was filmed in Jeffrey Dahmer’s actual childhood home in Bath, Ohio, adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.”
• “The location manager wanted to film scenes at Revere High School, Dahmer’s alma mater, but the school administration declined the request.”

🖥️ How to Watch My Friend Dahmer?

As of October 2024, ‘My Friend Dahmer’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing. It may also be available through streaming services that offer on-demand movie rentals.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed My Friend Dahmer, you might like these similar films:

• Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986): Shares a similar detached and disturbing look at the life of a serial killer without sensationalizing the violence.
• Elephant (2003): Explores the events leading up to a school shooting, focusing on the mundane lives of the perpetrators and victims, similar to ‘My Friend Dahmer’s’ build-up of tension.
• Zodiac (2007): A true-crime thriller that delves into the investigation of a serial killer, focusing on the psychological impact on those involved rather than graphic depictions of the crimes.

🛒 My Friend Dahmer Related Products

• My Friend Dahmer (Graphic Novel): The original graphic novel by John ‘Derf’ Backderf, offering a firsthand account of his high school experiences with Jeffrey Dahmer. A must-read for fans of the film and true crime enthusiasts.
• Jeffrey Dahmer: A Case Study in Serial Sexual Homicide: A detailed and comprehensive analysis of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes, motivations, and psychological profile. This book delves into the darkest aspects of Dahmer’s mind and offers a deeper understanding of his disturbing behavior.
• Horror Movie Poster Prints – Jeffrey Dahmer Collection: A curated collection of high-quality prints featuring iconic moments and imagery from horror films. High-quality printing provides detailed artwork.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Silence of the Lambs – Hannibal Lecter: A vinyl figure of Hannibal Lecter from ‘Silence of the Lambs’. The figures are approx. 3 3/4-inches tall and come in a window display box.

🎧 Soundtrack

My Friend Dahmer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “5.7.0.5” – performed by City Boy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did You Know In MY FRIEND DAHMER…

Did you know they filmed ‘My Friend Dahmer’ in Dahmer’s actual childhood home? That’s wild! This video gives you some cool facts about the movie you probably didn’t know.

Real pictures you need to see if you’ve watched My Friend Dahmer😳 #shorts

Want to see how accurate ‘My Friend Dahmer’ really was? This video compares scenes from the movie to real-life pictures, and it’s honestly pretty eerie how spot-on they are!

✨ Rate