My Friend Dahmer (2017)

Obviously, there's a lot more on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer to explore than just the murder, cannibalism and necrophilic antics he is most known for. With the '90s film, "The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer", we got a more straight-forward cinematic depiction of his 'methods' during the height of his slaughter spree. Then, with 2002's, "Dahmer", we got a more subdued, though powerfully acted and hugely effective slice-of-life glimpse at the dude, in between his rounding up of man-meat. With "My Friend Dahmer", we get a take on how he was before he committed his first murder - based on first-hand accounts published in graphic novel form by a former friend and classmate of Dahmer's.

The film takes us through Dahmer's later high school years - from his quiet, roadkill-obsessed loner phase, to his bizarre, out-of-nowhere class clown larks that earned him a more popular status as a lovable 'spazz'. Also explored is Dahmer's home life - dealing with his emotionally beaten down father and basket case mom, as well as his infatuation with the jogger that ran by his house, weekly, that stirred up some sexual urges that seemed to ultimately steer him in an obsessive, volatile direction...

Make no mistake - there's no gore or murder in this movie, obviously, as it ends right as he meets his first victim. So, if you're one of those who hated the '02 flick with Jeremy Renner, than you'll surely hate this even MORE bloodless biopic on the famed serial killer. As far as my personal thoughts on "My Friend Dahmer" - it's a well shot and acted movie; plucking an actor off the Disney Channel and casting him in the lead, which he pulls off pretty damn well. This is obviously not the most interesting period in the Dahmer timeline, at least, as far as I'm concerned, however, it does get into some fairly interesting 'key' points that surly guided him down the path he eventually took. Those with an interest in the life and times of Jeffrey Dahmer should enjoy this one, while, of course, bearing in mind, beforehand, that it's not at all graphic or disturbing, but, overall, a 'lighter' look at the guy. I'd rank it as my least favorite of the Dahmer movies I've mentioned here, but it's worth a look. Maybe eventually we'll get a Dahmer-in-prison movie...