The Jeffrey Dahmer Files

The Serial Killer Next Door: An Effective Documentary Interviews Three Subjects Close To The Case
Even after twenty years, the crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer still haunt us and exemplify the notion of the serial killer next door. By all accounts, Dahmer was a polite (if socially awkward) young man who committed the most heinous murders practically in plain sight. In 1991, he was arrested for killing and mutilating 17 victims over a thirteen year period and was sentenced to 957 years in prison. Dahmer has received such notoriety in the media and much coverage in other documentaries and news features, I wasn't sure what "The Jeffrey Dahmer Files" might offer that was unique. However, I must say, I liked the approach of this little film. It interviews three subjects that were close to either Dahmer, the investigation, or both and they share their recollections of the pivotal moments leading up to the trial. Within these contemporary interviews, the movie is intercut with recreated footage of Dahmer going about a rather mundane existence. It's a great device, these moments are played...

The movie itself should serve a 957-year sentence
Just as its subject, the film commits the cinematic equivalent of murder: It bores the audience to death. The movie has no goal, just simply lays out tidbits of mundane information that three interviewees present to the filmmaker (who prays the viewer will find substantial in some way). Perhaps the movie succeeds at showing the side of Jeffrey Dahmer we did not care to see before, but we are vindicated because there is simply nothing to see. Anyone with an interest in serial killers will find they are almost always human voids. Again, the film reflects its subject.

The filmmaker himself has presented this at festivals with the story of how he won a filmmaking grant and did not know what to do with the money, so he decided to just start shooting his buddy walking around Milwaukee dressed as Jeffrey Dahmer to see if anything would come of it. Nothing did.

Great Documentary, Mostly Focused on the Case Itself
No matter how many times I hear about this case it never ceases to amaze me.

The unbelievable dichotomy of Jeffrey Dahmer's two worlds: the inner monster capable of such hideous crimes and the meek loner harboring secrets of homicidal violence, homosexuality, and alcoholism.

His story is twofold. On one hand it's disgusting, shocking. On the other, sad.

This film briefly explores both sides of Jeffrey Dahmer through recreated vignettes. However, a majority of the film revolves around first-hand accounts from those who interviewed, lived next to, and collected the evidence piled up by Dahmer.

If you're looking for all the bloody, gory details, you may be sadly disappointed... but if you're looking for an overall account of the case, as it broke in the media, this documentary is a winner!

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