Netflix has given its Dahmer: Monster – The Jeffrey Dahmer Story miniseries amidd Flak an LGBTQ tag for its rating.
The series initially hit the streaming service with the tags “LGBTQ”, “Ominous”, “Psychological”, “Horror”, “Vintage Crime” and “Dark” when it debuted on September 21, with many viewers taking to social media used to criticize the streaming service for including the LGBTQ classification.
One user wrote: “Hey hi @netflix PLEASE reconsider using Dahmer with the LGBTQ tag, specifically as one of its tags right when you open the app.”
The Latest: Netflix has given its Dahmer: Monster – The Jeffrey Dahmer Story miniseries an LGBTQ tag amid Flak for its classification. Evan Peters stars in the series’ title role
Another said: “Netflix added the Jeffrey Dahmer series to LGBTQ+ tag. I’m speechless.”
One user remarked, “If I need to stay on my lane, be sure to tell me, but does anyone else think it’s pretty gross of @netflix to list Dahmer under #LGBTQ, especially if the true crime tag would have worked?”
Another usage pointed out the misleading nature of the tag to viewers, saying, “Slamming the LGBTQ tag on Dahmer like ‘Are you looking for LGBTQ content? Well boy do we have the show for you! Where every episode a different LGBTQ person is massacred and eaten! It’s like saying Schindler’s List is a family film for Jews.’
The true crime series has also been the focus of criticism over the continued commercial success of the true crime genre and the traumatic impact it could have on survivors.
The notorious serial killer was in a mugshot during a previous arrest
The streaming service has been criticized for its rating of the 10-episode series
Netflix then removed the LGBTQ tag from the miniseries
Netflix was heavily criticized for its original decision to add the LGBTQ classification
Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey’s sister, Rita Isbell, told Insider Sunday Netflix never contacted her about the series, calling it tough and neglectful.
“I think Netflix should have asked if we mind or how we felt doing it,” she said. “You didn’t ask me anything. They just did it. But I’m not cash hungry, and that’s what this show is about, Netflix is trying to get paid.
The ten-part series tells the story of Dahmer from the perspective of his victims and examines the major mistakes made by the Wisconsin police force in investigating the notorious mass murderer who made national headlines for cannibalism and necrophilia.
The show details at least 10 incidents where authorities nearly took Dahmer into custody but didn’t, perpetuating the twisted crime streak.
The series’ success has not gone without criticism, as many people took to Twitter to express their disgust at the continued commercial success of the true crime genre and the traumatic impact it could have on survivors
One user took to Twitter to recall the case amid renewed interest in Dahmer’s victims
One person who said they were related to one of Dahmer’s victims said the miniseries was “retraumatizing.”
Crime: Dahmer was found guilty of 16 counts of murder in 1992 and sentenced to 16 life sentences. He was beaten to death by another inmate at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin, in November 1994
The show also features actors Niecy Nash, Penelope Ann Miller, Shaun J. Brown, Colin Ford and Richard Jenkins, and directors Paris Barclay, Carl Franklin and Janet Mock. Miller and Jenkins play the roles of Dahmer’s parents, while Nash portrays Dahmer’s neighbor Glenda Cleveland, who unsuccessfully attempts to report his bizarre behavior to authorities.
The notorious Milwaukee serial killer who murdered 17 people between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer was found guilty in 1992 of 16 murders with which he was charged and received 16 life sentences.
He was beaten to death with a metal bar in November 1994 by Christopher Scarver, another inmate at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.
The gruesome story of Dahmer was told in the 2002 film Dahmer, in which Jeremy Renner played the title role; and 2017’s My Friend Dahmer, in which Ross Lynch played a teenage version of the aspiring serial killer.
Murphy has a history of creating true 1990s crime sagas with American Crime Story projects, including 2018’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace and 2016’s The People Vs. OJ Simpson.