Netflix’s gruesome retelling of the Jeffrey Dahmer murders continues to break streaming records on the platform.
The 10-episode series, ‘Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’, surpassed ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Bridgerton’ as the most-watched show on Netflix in its first week, as it surpassed 500 million views.
Created by Ryan Murphy, the show that centers on one of America’s most notorious serial killers, who notoriously ate his victims, has become the platform’s ninth most popular English-language TV series of all time. time.
‘Monster’ debuted on September 21 to an audience of 196.2 million. The show chronicles the shocking murders of 17 youths and children at the hands of the Milwaukee Killer between 1978 and 1991.
It retells Dahmer’s story from the perspective of his victims and explores the major mistakes Wisconsin police made in handling the investigation of the notorious mass murderer, who made national headlines for acts of cannibalism and necrophilia.
The record was previously held by another violent show, ‘Squid Game’. The fictional series from South Korea features hundreds of contestants bidding for a large sum of money through horrifying versions of backyard games.
‘Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ became Netflix’s most watched series in a week of broadcast
The 10-episode series beat out ‘Squid Game’ (pictured) after racking up more than 500 million views.
In the picture: the Netflix series ‘Bridgerton’. ‘Monster’ is now the platform’s 9th most popular English-language TV series of all time.
The show, which stars 35-year-old Evan Peters, features at least 10 incidents in which Dahmer was nearly apprehended by authorities, extending his crime spree.
Peters said he was “scared” to take on the role due to Dahmer’s horrific past, adding that he had to go to “dark places” during filming to get into the mindset of the killer.
Richard Rushfield, a columnist for The Ankler, told Good Morning America that the show’s success stems from its violent nature.
“True crime has become a huge phenomenon throughout the medium,” he said. “I think that in tumultuous times when people are uncomfortable and very anxious about their world, seeing true crime helps them acclimate to and get used to the worst things in the world.
It makes the world a little less scary.
The show, which stars 35-year-old Evan Peters, features at least 10 incidents in which Dahmer was nearly apprehended by authorities, extending his crime spree.
Peters said he was “scared” to take on the role due to Dahmer’s horrific past, adding that he had to go to “dark places” during filming to get into the mindset of the killer.
Pictured: Mugshot of Jeffret Dahmer in 1982. Dahmer claimed 17 victims over the course of his killing spree.
Despite the series’ record numbers, others have criticized the show as depicting the trauma that surviving victims now have to relive.
The sister of Dahmer’s victim, Errol Lindsey, Rita Isbell, speaking to Insider Sunday, said Netflix never approached her about the series, calling it harsh and sloppy.
“I feel like Netflix should have asked if we cared or how we felt about doing it,” he said. ‘They didn’t ask me anything. They just did. But I’m not hungry for money, and that’s what this show is about, Netflix trying to get paid.
“For people who are traumatized, what happens is you hear everyone talking about it,” said Alyssa Mairanz, owner and psychologist at Empower Your Mind Therapy.
“It advertises on all social media and TV, so its interface can bring a lot of dark emotions.”
Pictured: Dahmer’s victim Errol Lindsey’s sister, Rita Isbell. “I feel like Netflix should have asked if we cared or how we felt about doing it,” she said.
The show shows Isbell directing comments towards Dahmer in an emotional scene.
The Akron, Ohio home where Dahmer claimed his first victim is now valued at $372,000.
Dahmer and his family moved into the residence in 1968.
His living room was the site of the 1978 murder of Dahmer’s first victim, Steven Hicks.
The then 18-year-old hit Hicks with a 10-pound dumbbell and then strangled him to death.
Musician Chris Butler bought the house for $244,500 in 2005.
“The house has a great vibe, I mean, after all, the house didn’t kill anyone, and I don’t believe in ghosts, and there’s absolutely no reason to think there’s anything wrong here,” the rocker told the Observer in time.
The single family home features a double parking garage, stainless steel appliances and a fireplace on the property of just under two acres.
The residence has been renovated several times since it was first built and most recently by Butler in 2007.
The former Dahmer family home, built in 1952
The house was last purchased by musician Chris Butler in 2005 for $244,500.
Pictured: The living room where Dahmer claimed the first of his 17 victims, Steven Hicks. Since then, the house has been renovated several times.