Netflix has faced various controversies over the years, often becoming a focal point in public discussions about content, representation, and ethics. Its true crime collection has been praised for reigniting interest in cold cases, yet it is also criticized for blurring the lines between entertainment and real-life tragedy. One prominent example is Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's controversial Monster series, which has been criticized for exploiting trauma and desensitizing violence in its approach to true-crime storytelling.

Among the three Monster seasons, many agree that the most controversial is the very first one, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which premiered on Netflix on September 21, 2022. Starring Evan Peters as the title character, the 10-episode series focuses on the real-life Milwaukee serial killer who murdered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Upon its release, Dahmer received unfavorable reviews and sparked outrage, especially from the victims’ families. However, this did not hinder its viewership records as it quickly became one of Netflix’s Most Popular series of all time, and three years later, it has returned to the prestigious list.

‘Dahmer’ Explores the Making of a Monster in Graphic Detail

In line with the tone of the Monster franchise, Dahmer presents a chilling blend of factual history with stylized dramatization, creating an unsettling portrayal that both horrifies and fascinates viewers. The narrative is primarily told from various characters’ perspectives, focusing closely on Dahmer himself while incorporating the experiences of his victims and those affected by his crimes. “Something we discussed extensively during production was our lack of interest in Jeffrey Dahmer, the person, but rather in what made him the monster he became,” Murphy stated regarding the 57% RT series in 2022. “We explored this concept … discussing issues like white privilege, systemic racism, and homophobia.”

The first half of this true crime drama features four episodes written by Murphy and Brennan, allowing viewers to delve into the lead character’s grim world through flashbacks of his troubled upbringing. This is layered with graphic and disturbing scenes depicting his encounters with victims—most of whom were gay men of color—who were lured into his gruesome apartment.

While Dahmer offers plenty of gory scenes, placing the titular character at its center, it also provides a less commonly accepted humanized perspective into the mind of a deeply troubled individual. Instead of portraying the killer solely as a monstrous figure, the series presents him with a complex psychological background that traces the roots of his violence to several factors. His difficult upbringing marked by trauma and profound loneliness plays a significant role, alongside a fractured family dynamic characterized by an absent father and a mother struggling with mental illness, as well as unsettling coincidences that further derailed his life. One notable incident is the impulsive killing of his first victim (the hitchhiker), who rejected his advances in Episode 3, “Doin’ A Dahmer.”

‘Dahmer’s Impressive Ratings Prove Controversy Still Sells

When the first entry in the Monster series debuted, it faced disapproval from many—including critics and families of Dahmer’s victims. They argued that not only was the series created without their consent, but it also re-traumatized them by dramatizing their loved ones’ stories. Nevertheless, this did not deter viewers from watching or re-watching this crime drama even now.

In its first week after premiere, Dahmer became an immediate streaming sensation, dominating Netflix’s Top 10 rankings with 196.2 million hours viewed that increased to 299.8 million hours in its first full week. Nielsen’s tracking indicated that during the viewing window from September 19 to September 25, 2022, approximately 3.7 billion minutes were logged—making it not only the top program during that time but also the tenth most-streamed program ever recorded by Nielsen in a single week.

Sitting atop Netflix’s Top 10 for a second week, Dahmer entered the streamer’s English-language Most Popular list from September 26 to October 2, 2022. The series debuted at ninth place after just 12 days with 496.05 million hours viewed across approximately 56 million households. The following week was even more impressive as it became Netflix’s second Most Popular English-language series of all time with 701.37 million hours watched—second only to Stranger Things Season 4.

Now three years later, Dahmer has re-entered this elite list, ranking as the fourth Most Popular Netflix show ever with 115.60 million views and over 1.03 billion hours viewed. It sits right behind Season 4 of Stranger Things, which boasts 140.70 million views and over 1.84 billion hours viewed. Topping this list is Season 1 of Wednesday, followed closely by limited series Adolescence, while Season 2 of Wednesday rounds out the Top 5.

Dahmer, while not universally loved as a true crime drama, continues to captivate viewers with its scandalous portrayal of the infamous serial killer’s life even today. In essence, controversy appears to significantly contribute to its success—something its follow-ups like The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and <em>The Ed Gein Story</em> have yet to replicate.

All episodes of Dahmer are available for streaming on Netflix.